What a wonderful privilege it was to organise and lead the piano groups at the British Suzuki Gala. The concert was a massive celebration of Suzuki children’s talent education and provided an amazing opportunity to inspire and motivate them and their families.
 
　　As with the 2016 Gala, we wanted to provide pianists with the same opportunity to play together and participate fully with the other instruments. This time we were able to offer this opportunity to 120 piano children from around the world, using 24 keyboards and the fantastic orchestral accompaniments composed specifically for this concert by Timothy Murray.
 
　　Each group of 22 children played one Suzuki piano core repertoire piece as a solo and one other piece played with all the other instruments as a mass item. There was a brief two-hour rehearsal the day before and dress rehearsal on the morning of the concert, and like Suzuki “magic” they all came together to play beautifully as one. The joy and excitement were obvious to all and the quality of playing was outstanding – excellent ensemble, great musicianship and exciting life force full of youthful energy and spirit.
 

　　The piano pieces were:

Grant Mead leading the piano group in one of the all-instrument pieces.
ⒸBill Hiskett

ⒸBill Hiskett

　　All the worries (and sometimes criticisms) of pianists not being able to play well together in solo pieces proved to be unfounded and reaffirmed Dr Suzuki’s message that belief and trust in children will be rewarded by high achievement and great ability. It was touching to be part of something so special and unique. We all had a tear in our eye in the final Twinkles and although the two days were exhausting, the whole event was life-enhancing for all those of us who were involved.