122 to play in 12-hour piano marathon

STEINWAY Gallery Singapore is holding its first piano marathon in aid of The Business Times Budding Artists Fund (BTBAF).

On Dec 16, some 122 pianists will converge for a non-stop 12-hour session with as many as three pianos at ION Orchard Level 1 Atrium to raise funds for the children's charity.

The songs selected by the pianists themselves run the gamut from classical and Christmas standards to jazz to pop. But they've been curated to ensure a smooth transition from one genre to another.

According to a Steinway spokesman, a piano marathon like this - involving many pianists - has never been attempted before. The effort aims to achieve a Singapore Book of Records for Longest Piano Performance.

Celine Goh, general manager of Steinway Gallery Singapore, said: "We feel that it is important to perpetuate a love for music and the arts in general, and what better way than to create an event where the public can come forth to make music and at the same time raise funds for the needy."

Steinway & Sons is the world's leading pianomaker and has supported numerous charity events involving BTBAF as well as The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, such as ChildAid and Sing50. Last weekend's ChildAid concert, which featured Steinway-loaned pianos, raised more than S$2.1million.

Tan Tee Tong, director of The Rice Company Limited which manages BTBAF, said: "Over the years, we have seen children and youth emerge from the training which BTBAF provides to further engage and pursue the arts. This support from Steinway Gallery Singapore is a testament that an internationally-recognised brand is supportive of our cause."