Nigerian pianists celebrate International Piano Day

March 29 is the International Piano Day (IPD). It’s a yearly worldwide celebration of the piano, the most versatile music instrument, piano music, pianists and everything that revolves around it. Conspicuously, it is celebrated on the 88th day of the year because the piano has 88 keys.

These Nigerian pianists began the first local initiative in a MUSON sponsored piano-related project called a piano showcase featuring Nigerian Pianists in a series of pre-recorded videos and performance clips their talent, personality and musical journeys as pianists.

The idea for this was borne out of the need to make classical music more relatable with the goal to share the beauty of piano music and ensure it is as wide reaching as possible in Nigeria. Through a series of short performance videos that will inspire, more people (parents and children alike) learn the piano.

Speaking on the International Piano Day, Founder and Director, CEO of Picolanda & Fleur, a luxury childrenswear brand, Taiwo Baju- Adesuyi, said, “playing the piano is the single most important that has enriched my life and it is a fulfilling and challenging passion. It enriches you as a person in so many ways. One of the biggest benefits I have derived is the discipline it instills in you. This is why it is particularly useful for children. The only way to learn an instrument is to practice regularly- almost daily. Even the discipline and hard work required, first, just to get a sound out of the instrument, then a decent sound, then a nice sound, then learning all of the musicianship involved – that whole process, extending throughout a good portion of your life instills valuable life lessons. With Piano day celebrations we want to continually promote the artistic and creative narrative of Nigerians.”

The Piano Showcase is a collaboration with the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON). MUSON’s School of music is at the forefront of music education in Nigeria. Every pianist featured in Piano Day celebrations has passed through MUSON in some way or the other. MUSON’s excellent School of music is part of the musical heritage of many classically trained Nigerian musicians today.