In the early 1980's concerts were held to raise money to purchase a grand piano for Thames. Further funds were raised by means of donations, turkey, raffles, market stalls, grants from the Thames-Coromandel District Council and Waikato Savings Bank, and last, but not least, by the sale of 88 wooden piano keys made by Gerard Pinnock and sold to Thames businesses for $20 each. The result of all this effort was a Yamaha C3D 6ft grand piano purchased in July 1983 for $7,500.
In 2023 the Group held a 40th Birthday Concert dedicated to the Yamaha Grand Piano's aquisiton by Thames Music Group
A license agreement with the Anglican Vestry for housing the piano in St George's Church was signed in June 1983 and a piano trolley constructed by Bert Bell, Laurie Beilby and Gane Griffin. The first concert using the new piano was presented on Saturday July 16th 1983 by the Viennese Duo Eleanore Rona and Georg Hauer, followed in November of that year by a concert given by Diana Morcom from Whitianga.
Since then many fine pianists have given concerts on this piano including more lately Dr Jonathan Dunlop, Katherine Austin and Maria Mo, John Wells, and Mads Granum from Denmark.
In 2023 the Group held a 40th Birthday Concert dedicated to the Yamaha Grand Piano's aquisiton by Thames Music Group
A license agreement with the Anglican Vestry for housing the piano in St George's Church was signed in June 1983 and a piano trolley constructed by Bert Bell, Laurie Beilby and Gane Griffin. The first concert using the new piano was presented on Saturday July 16th 1983 by the Viennese Duo Eleanore Rona and Georg Hauer, followed in November of that year by a concert given by Diana Morcom from Whitianga.
Since then many fine pianists have given concerts on this piano including more lately Dr Jonathan Dunlop, Katherine Austin and Maria Mo, John Wells, and Mads Granum from Denmark.