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  • WAAPA's Founding Pianos project

    English Spinet piano to be restored as part of the Founding Pianos collection.

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Founding Pianos

History

In 2016, Edith Cowan University received an unprecedented and historic gift – the Stewart Symonds Keyboard Instrument Collection. Painstakingly and intelligently assembled by Australian collector Stewart Symonds, the collection is widely recognised as one of the most significant in the world, and is of immense cultural value.

Now preserved for posterity at ECU, the Collection comprises 140 historical keyboard instruments. It offers a wide selection of exceptionally rare – in some instances, unique – stringed keyboard instruments dating from 1736 to 1874 including an English Bentside Spinet, and breathtaking examples of Square, Grand and Cabinet Pianos.

The future

As the custodian of Australia’s preeminent public collection of rare and important pianos, ECU seeks to lead the world in historical keyboard instrument teaching and research. WAAPA will be positioned as a hub for collaboration and innovation around piano performance, education, conservation, restoration and maintenance.

We will draw musicians, music scholars, tourists, and the world’s media to connect with us, and share the ambition to create fresh and substantial economic and cultural impact in WA through a respect for the piano and its music.

Join the journey

To join the Founding Pianos journey:

  • Email development@ecu.edu.au to join the mailing list and keep informed of showcases, tours and installations.
  • Visit the Founding Pianos website to learn more about individual pianos in the Collection and its adventures to date.
  • To donate, complete the form on ECU’s online portal and select Founding Pianos from the drop down menu.  If you wish to direct your support to a key focus area: Restoration, Replicas, Scholarships or Conservation, you can note in the other box.
  • Or simply call us on (61 8) 6304 2761 to ask how you can be part of the Collection.

Founding Pianos Patrons

We would like to express our sincere thanks to all donors, patrons and friends of the Founding Pianos project.

Without your generosity, we would not be able to start or continue this ambitious project. On behalf of the entire ECU and WAAPA community, thank you for being part of something so special and globally significant.

  • Andrew Swift
  • Carole Grant
  • Christine Simpson Stokes and Kerry Stokes AC, Australian Capital Equity
  • Consul-General to Hong Kong and Macau, Ms Michaela Browning
  • Feilman Foundation
  • In memory of John L Wilson
  • John Finlay-Jones
  • John and Di Poynton
  • Lotterywest
  • Mandy Loton
  • McCusker Charitable Foundation
  • Phil Thick and Paula Rogers
  • Simon Lee Foundation
  • Professor Steve Chapman
  • Ungar Family Foundation
  • Voyager Wines
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