Chinese pianist Lang Lang has announced he will be donating hundreds of keyboards to UK schools to bring music to children in disadvantaged communities.
The 39-year-old musician, who is one of the most famous solo pianists in the world, said he was “shocked” at how restricted access to music lessons in the UK can be.
Lang Lang has announced that his International Music Foundation will set up dedicated piano teaching centres, known as ‘piano labs’, in London government schools, The Times reported.
The model for the project is his Keys of Inspiration program, which has been successful in China and the USA.
Lang Lang was ‘shocked’ at how restricted access to music lessons in the UK can be (Isabel Infantes/PA)
The foundation says the programs have given nearly 200,000 children access to keyboards.
In addition to the instruments, schools will receive teacher training and additional scholarships, according to The Times, as well as a special curriculum developed by Lang Lang and Toronto’s Conservatory of Music.
“I was so surprised that music lessons are never a guarantee,” he told the publication.
“The schools and teachers are amazing and they go out of their way to give their students everything they can.
“But it shocked me how limited access to music education can be.”
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The first school to benefit from the donations is Winns Primary School in Waltham Forest, north London, which will receive 30 keyboards.
https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/chinese-pianist-lang-lang-to-donate-hundreds-of-keyboards-to-london-schools-41564914.html Chinese pianist Lang Lang donates hundreds of keyboards to London schools