News release from the Downtown Barrie BIA
If you’re new to the neighbourhood, the bright sound of piano melodies drifting from Meridian Place might surprise you, but Downtown Barrie’s public piano has become a beloved landmark to many. Stay tuned (pun intended) to learn the tale behind the piano!
The colourful instrument in Memorial Square is actually the second public piano this year. The first one was donated by Tara of Forgather Floral Co., which shares a space with Bohemia in Downtown Barrie. The piano belonged to Tara’s family; she took lessons on it as a child, though not before making her teacher play the Muppet Babies theme song before each lesson. The donated piano was painted with a pollinator theme by local artists Katie Green and Marlisha Lewis, and after three seasons of being lovingly played in the square, the piano was ready to be retired.
At exactly the right time, a replacement piano appeared. Brett Caswell, who leads the Northern Pipes Community Choir at Donaleighs on Tuesday nights, reached out to the Downtown Barrie BIA and asked if they had any need for a previously loved piano; one of his choir members, Kathy Robbins-Curtis, was trying to find a new home for her family’s piano.
Kathy recalls, “We lived in Barrie in the mid-80s when my parents inherited it from my father’s Aunt Margaret, who lived in Hamilton. I was in my mid-teens and took interest. I took piano lessons and played it through high school, along with school music and band.”
“I adopted the piano once I became a homeowner, but the playing part got lost over the years, as I discovered I lacked natural musical talent. This realization came alongside a dull piano teacher who pushed the Royal Conservatory to the point that I lost interest. I just wanted to learn to play the ‘Love Theme’ from Flashdance. So the piano sat for many years, barely touched.”
Kathy sought to rehome the piano and one night at choir mentioned it to Brett. The piano found its new home in Downtown Barrie, soon given a colourful new style by local artists Clandestinos, who painted it live in the square on a sunny Saturday. “It all just fell into place so perfectly, and that brings me joy,” says Kathy.
Her one wish is to hear someone play the “Love Theme” from Flashdance on the piano someday, so if anyone reading this has the chops, we’d love to help make Kathy’s wish come true. Seeing (and hearing) the piano being enjoyed always makes us happy, so if you ever stop to play a tune, especially Kathy’s request, tag @downtownbarrie on Instagram for us to see and share.
Downtown Barrie BIA is grateful to Councillor Sergio Morales for supporting the Public Piano Program through his Community Fund.
Images supplied by the Downtown Barrie BIA
