Michael Maloney, an alumnus of the University of Massachusetts Boston community has made the most of a great opportunity provided to him by one of the unique events that has hit Boston in recent memory. You may have noticed earlier this month, one or more of the 75 pianos scattered around Boston and its surrounding suburbs, each decorated by local artists. These pianos immediately became a subplot to daily life in the city.
Luke Jerram’s ”Play Me, I’m Yours” project, is part of the Celebrity Series of Boston. The mission of the series is to build a community out of public participants. Its goal is to use the arts to enrich public life with experience. They aim to instill values such as diversity, variety, and artistic quality. Educating our communities with local programs, such as the “Play Me, I’m Yours” street pianos, available to anyone to take the bench. This is also part of the goal to bring everyone together through the performing arts.
Maloney challenged himself to play each of the 75 pianos that are part of the “Play Me I’m Yours” project. The piano-hopper said, ”I didn’t quite make it to every single piano, but it was still worthwhile. I got to meet so many people I otherwise wouldn’t have, had I not made this challenge for myself. I was very lucky to meet people from different parts of the world and other people doing the same challenge.” He played 51 of the pianos within a week.
The pianos were scattered throughout common Boston locations such as Newbury Street, the Boston Common, the Prudential Center, and the Fenway area, as well as suburban areas like Jamaica Plain, Cambridge, and Davis Square. Maloney’s experience seems to have accomplished one of Jerram’s goals: to bring people together.
“When the pianos are played, people stop and listen. And sometimes people talk to you and you can get to know the fellow pedestrians and it’s really nice” said Maloney. The pianos went down Oct. 14.
The impact that this event had on the city was very apparent. For a few weeks the monotony of a daily commute was broken up by great music coming from total strangers. The outlet that these pianos created allowed even the shyest of creative types to show their talent to the city. Maloney sure showed Boston residents what drive and talent can help you accomplish, as he made an effort to give the people of this city some real entertainment.
Other upcoming events with the Celebrity Series are “The Bach Project,” “Paul Taylor Dance Company, “and “The Danish String Quartet.”
For more information go to http://www.celebrityseries.org/.”
‘Play Me, I’m Yours’ project has positive impact on Beantown
“When the pianos are played, people stop and listen. And sometimes people talk to you and you can get to know the fellow pedestrians and it’s really nice,” said Maloney.
