Lucy, 15, winner of Channel 4’s The Piano and a patient of Leeds Children’s Hospital, performed for a rapturous audience on Friday 28 March in the hospital’s reception area, as part of a day of musical activities, just ahead of World Piano Day (29 March.)
In partnership with the Leeds International Piano Competition and Leeds Children’s Hospital, Leeds Hospitals Charity hosted the event giving staff, young patients, and visitors the chance to enjoy a day of wonderful musical performances, after the Gilfillan family generously donated the beautiful new piano earlier this year.
Lucy, from Calderdale, who is registered blind and living with other complex illnesses, was treated by Professor Adam Glaser and colleagues at Leeds Children’s Hospital. Lucy has a chromosome 16 duplication, which is a rare condition affecting mental health with autism traits and affecting overall communication. Lucy is hypermobile and suffers with Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome. She is in remission from bi-lateral retinoblastoma and is globally developmentally delayed.
Lucy performed three pieces, Debussy Prelude, I Wish by Stevie Wonder and Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles, prompting a spontaneous singalong from the assembled crowd of staff, patients and visitors! Lucy has an extraordinary talent and has performed at the Royal Albert Hall and HRH King’s Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle. She has also been nominated for a BAFTA, released her own album, and has her own upcoming concert in Leeds on 7 June at Leeds City Varieties Music Hall.
Candice, Lucy’s mum, said:
“We are so grateful to the staff at Leeds Children’s Hospital who have cared for Lucy and encouraged her many accomplishments. It meant so much to Lucy to be able to take part in this lovely occasion as part of the World Piano Day celebrations, lifting the spirits of anyone who may be going through adversity and hopefully inspiring other young pianists too.”
Staff, patients and visitors at the hospital also got the chance to hear performances by Leeds Hospitals Charity volunteers, who currently perform on its original piano at St James’s Hospital, while the charity recruits additional volunteers for the new piano.
Rachel Robinson, Head of Volunteering at Leeds Hospitals Charity said:
“We are extremely grateful to the Gilfillan family for their kind donation, which will be greatly appreciated by staff, patients and visitors alike. We know that our wonderful piano volunteers will enjoy playing on such a beautiful instrument, and we hope this will inspire other music-minded people to consider a role volunteering with us too!”
Audiences also had the chance to tinkle the ivories themselves, as piano lessons were offered alongside performances. Another highlight was the performance by Yuanfan Yang, Leeds-born and based pianist who played two pieces by Elgar – even taking a request to perform one piece in the style of Gilbert and Sullivan! Lucy later returned to perform a duet with Yuanfan, which was a lovely, impromptu addition to the programme. Staff and patients also enjoyed joining in a singalong, led by the DLA Piper choir group, one of the charity’s corporate partners.
The Bluthner grand piano, which was donated to the charity earlier this year, belonged to Henry B Shaw FRCO and his son, Kenneth H Shaw FTCL. Both accomplished musicians, they were choirmasters and organists at Clitheroe Parish Church and St Mary’s Church, Barnsley respectively. Since Kenneth died in 1979, the piano had remained in the family, but only occasionally played. His daughter, Diana Shaw, whose piano it became, was keen that at some time it would be able to be played much more frequently, and her children have ensured that has happened.
Elspeth Gilfillan, granddaughter of Kenneth Shaw said on behalf of the family:
“We know our mother, grandfather and great- grandfather would feel this is an entirely fitting new home for the piano, even if it remains in Yorkshire and not back in Lancashire! As accomplished musicians, they were all passionate about giving everyone the chance to enjoy beautiful music, and ensuring children had the chance to find their potential, particularly through singing. We couldn’t be happier as a family that new life can be breathed into the piano by a whole new generation.”
Adam Glaser, Professor of Paediatric Oncology and Director of CHORAL (Child Health Outcomes Research at Leeds) commented:
“Over the last few years, the wonderful Lucy has shown the world the power of music, and specifically piano playing, in her own development and amazing life. Music is known to benefit the social and emotional health and well-being of young people of all ages from the very early years through to early adulthood.
“It is so lovely that users of Leeds Children’s Hospital will now have access to relaxing, soothing and stimulating piano music to help ease the difficulties often attendant upon visits to hospital and episodes of ill-health.”
The event was part of the Leeds Piano Trail, a unique city-wide initiative curated by the Leeds International Piano Competition, bringing pianos into public spaces to inspire and engage communities through music. As part of this exciting partnership, the Competition will oversee the ongoing maintenance and programming for the piano at Leeds Children’s Hospital, ensuring that the instrument continues to bring music to the hospital for years to come.
Speaking about the importance of the partnership, Sally Egan Head of Creative Learning and Engagement at the Leeds International Piano Competition, shared:
“We are absolutely delighted to partner with Leeds Children’s Hospital and Leeds Hospitals Charity to welcome this stunning piano as the 10th addition to our Leeds Piano Trail. There could be no better home for this instrument, where it will bring moments of joy, comfort and creativity to all who play and listen. We are deeply grateful to the Gilfillan family for their generous donation, which will help us continue our mission of making music accessible to everyone.”
