Thanks to the generosity of retired Bendigo dentist Michael Thornton, future BSSC music students learning the piano, without a traditional piano at home, will be able to practice on an authentic set of keys.
Dr Thornton has gifted his beloved upright piano to be used in the home of BSSC students studying piano. Now 94 years old, Dr Thornton purchased the instrument after moving from England thirty years ago. He played it himself until last year when he moved to Mirridong nursing home.
He has now decided to donate his piano as a way of fostering talent among the next batch Bendigo performers.
In 2017, Bendigo Senior Secondary College student Tahlia McCuskey will have the piano in her home. Tahlia has spent years playing an electric keyboard, which she said was a different experience to playing the keys of a real piano.
When Tahlia graduates next year, the instrument will then pass on to another promising musician from BSSC.
