Pianos have returned to Guelph streets for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. The instrument revival began last fall thanks to Silas Dunn-Dufault. “In September 2023, I realized that I hadn’t seen them for a while, and I thought, ‘I’m still in the city, I have some time, I feel like I could be the one to get this ball rolling again,’” he said. The previous program run by former city councillor Ian Findlay ended when Findlay left office. Dunn-Dufault said public pianos give people a chance to play for the first time – or rekindle an old passion. “Piano is one of those instruments a lot of people have passing experience with,” he explained. “A lot of people took lessons as kids or dabbled around in high school, and it can be intimidating. But if you just walk past one in public, it’s there for you.” This season, two pianos were installed at the Guelph Public Library and Guelph City Hall. Dunn-Dufault said he hopes to expand the program to 10 pianos next year. Because many people give away upright pianos for free, the main challenge is logistics. “They’re 800 to 1,200 pounds each, and I was very unprepared when we dropped the first one off at the library,” Dunn-Dufault said. “I had it laying down flat in the back of a truck and realized my friend and I were not physically strong enough to lift it out.” For residents like Tala McCrossan, the outdoor instruments provides a vital outlet. She started playing at age six and likes to tickle the ivories at the Guelph Public Library. McCrossan suffered a traumatic brain injury a decade ago and said playing the piano is one of the few things that still comes naturally to her. “I still remembered it, so it really helped — all my life, actually – music has helped,” she said. “It’s really important when you get a head injury and time stands still. You still have a heartbeat, and it is a good challenge.” The pianos will be available to the public for a few more weeks.
