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Friday 2 Aug 2024

Take note! New piano installed at London Waterloo station with exciting Summer competitions and performances ahead

Region & Route:

Southern: Wessex

| Southern

Passengers and visitors to London Waterloo station are now able to enjoy tinkling the ivories or simply listening to others play, following the installation of a new piano in the station’s former Eurostar terminal, now aptly named Orchestra Pit.

The piano was recently launched in partnership with Morley College whose pupils were the first to try out the piano, with the melody of ABBA’s ‘Waterloo’ ringing out around London Waterloo amongst several other classic favourites.

Since its launch, the piano has proved a highly popular addition to the country’s third busiest station with enthusiastic musicians taking to the stool to entertain passers-by and commuters with their favourite pieces.

The Sidings Shopping Centre will be putting on two 45-minute performances by Daniel Wilsher, finalist on Channel 4’s The Piano, taking place tomorrow (Saturday 3 August) at 11.30 and 12.30. This is to launch their competition for members of the public to record themselves performing with a £500 prize up for grabs. More information about this can be found at https://thesidingswaterloo.co.uk/piano-competition/

The piano was jointly purchased from Markson’s Pianos by Network Rail, South Western Railway (SWR), Morley College, We Are Waterloo, and the Sidings Shopping Centre and is located in the Orchestra Pit which is near platforms 20-24. Further performances from students at Morley College are planned over the coming months.

Emily Haggard, Network Rail’s London Waterloo station manager, said: “Music has the potential to fill a hole in your soul and we hope this new piano at Waterloo will help The Visitors to our wonderful station smile.

“If you’re a keen pianist, why not say Gimme Gimme Gimme a go on the piano. It’s free so you don’t need Money Money Money to play. If you enjoy it, why not be a Dancing Queen to say Thank You for the Music.

“We would also like to say thank you to Morley College for providing the artwork around the piano, Markson’s Pianos for their support as well as local partners We Are Waterloo, The Sidings and of course South Western Railway.”

Megan Doole, Centre Co-Ordinator at The Sidings said: "The piano at The Sidings is a symbol of our commitment to making art accessible to everyone. We are excited to have Daniel Wilsher launch our competition and are eager to see the talent that will emerge as people play the piano in Waterloo Station."

Chico Coulibaly, South Western Railway’s Regional Manager Waterloo said: “We’re delighted to see that people are using the new piano in Waterloo Station’s Orchestra Pit. Whether you are a would-be Chopin or just giving it a go, we hope the new piano at Waterloo strikes a chord with our customers and adds some extra harmony to their journeys.”