Calls for return of piano course (From Hereford Times)

Calls for return of piano course

3:00pm Friday 25th July 2008

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SUPPORT is growing for the return of a course withdrawn from a Hereford college’s curriculum.

Piano technology had been studied at the Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) for more than 130 years but was closed down earlier this year, with the college citing a lack of student numbers as the reason.

Head of the lost department Philip Kennedy and teacher Brian Capleton told the Hereford Times they were disappointed at the closure and believed there were students interested in the course.

Robert Astick, RNC’s fundraising director, said no students had registered an interest in studying piano technology next year at the college.

Some of the country’s most respected piano makers and sellers have called for the course to be re-instated.

Alastair Laurence, chairman of John Broadwood and Sons, the oldest piano makers in the world, said: “If the training at Hereford is discontinued, then there is no other place for blind and partially-sighted individuals to receive the necessary specialised education in the practical skills.”

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