Twenty-one local musicians will play 21 pianos in unison at King’s College Chapel in a concert – with all the pianos then being donated to local schools and groups.=

The performance of 21 Pianos Nocturnes, a reworking of Chopin’s Nocturnes, takes place on Tuesday, February 21.

The concert, which starts at 10pm, is a collaboration between composer and King’s College Fellow in Music Richard Causton, the Peterborough Centre for Young Musicians, King’s College Musical Society and Millers Music.

To celebrate the collaboration, Cambridge music shop Millers is giving away 21 pianos - worth more than £50,000 - to schools and institutions across the region to help encourage and support music education.

“With the pianos arranged in a large circle in the chapel, it will be both a visual spectacle and an aural extravaganza,” say organisers.

Richard said: “This is a unique event for King’s College Chapel and the sound and sight of 21 pianos in this wonderful space promises to be really memorable.”

After the event, Millers will gift the pianos to schools and institutions across East Anglia,

based on applications received via its website www.millersmusic.co.uk/21pianos Submissions are now open, and those who apply will need to state why they believe their institution would benefit from a piano.

Entries will be reviewed by a panel of judges, including Richard Causton and Simon Pollard, Millers managing director.

The 21 Piano Nocturne concert is part of the Chapel Lates concert series, which Richard also

curates.

Attendees must arrive at 9.45pm for a 10pm start. Tickets; £10 (concessions £5 and King’s members £2) available from www.shop.kings.cam.ac.uk/box-office-s/1514.htm and King’s College Visitors Centre.

Schools, community centres, churches and other education institutions in East Anglia are

eligible to apply to receive a piano.

The closing date for applications is Sunday 12 March.

Delivery of the pianos will cost £150 + VAT and will take place in March.