Third street piano launching at Atria Watford

• Launch takes place at Atria shopping centre on Friday June 24
• Street pianos placed around Watford to create music experiences for all 
• Launch will include performance from Electric Umbrella members and professional pianist Duncan Honeybourne who shares his experiences of autism
• Street Piano initiative funded by Watford BID,  who support our work 

We're bringing music and fun to the streets of Watford by launching a series of street pianos hosted by local businesses. The next launch will include performances from members and professional pianist Duncan Honeybourne.

Other launch events have included the Watford Piano Push which took place on June 10. 

The next launch event will take place on Friday June 24 with performances taking place 1.00pm -3.00pm. They are encouraging local people to come along and join in on the magic.

Our CEO, Mel Boda said:

“At Electric Umbrella everything we do is about creating amazing music experiences with our learning disabled members, so it’s brilliant to take these experiences further bringing music and fun to Watford with street pianos. 

Through our programmes, members have the opportunity to perform shoulder to shoulder with professional musicians such as Duncan, so it is particularly fitting that he is coming along to support the launch.

A huge thank you to Watford BID for funding this initiative, and Atria for hosting the launch  of our third street piano.”

Pianist Duncan Honeybourne who will perform with the charity at the launch said: 

"Electric Umbrella is a wonderful organisation, and I'm heartened and touched to be involved! I'm autistic and music has been wonderful for me on my journey. I don't know what I would have done without such an expressive, creative outlet - it really has been an anchor.

"I performed with Electric Umbrella members online during lockdown, so I am very much looking forward to meeting members face to face and performing in Watford. It's going to be a happy, illuminating day! 

"Music has a tremendous power of communication and having pianos on the streets outside, is a lovely way of bringing music to a public arena so that everyone can enjoy it."

Watford BID Chief Executive Maria Manion said: 

"I think it's important that we support local charities and organisations as well as business. Though we are funding charitable work, we are also supporting Electric Umbrella's work and animating the streets of Watford.

"What we have seen already from the one piano is that a lot of people, particularly children, are playing it, and that can open up new opportunities and interests for people.

"Music is a good leveller and cuts across a lot of different people in society. Duncan is a great example of that.

"It shows that boundaries can be broken and the music projects that Electric Umbrella deliver are fantastic at doing that."