Hop hosts sing-alongs as part of Hands On Pianos project

By Claire Groden | 7/25/12 10:47am

Melissa An ’14 attended the sing-along to support her friends on the piano, she said. She described the event as “adorable.”

Lunchtime sing-alongs occur every Thursday of July on the Green as a part of the Hands On Pianos project spearheaded by the Hop. The singing commences at 12:30 p.m., and the sing-alongs feature classic and pop songs, all accompanied by a pianist. The Hands On Pianos project installed 50 donated pianos in 10 different communities in the Upper Valley to celebrate the Hop's 50th anniversary. The donated pianos were painted by artists in a warehouse in Lebanon before being scattered across New Hampshire and Vermont towns. The pianos are free for the community to enjoy, and they will be mined for reusable parts and recycled at the end of the project, according to a press release.

Erin Smith, an outreach assistant at the Hop, was present on Thursday at the sing-along to direct the event. She said that the sing-along was designed to "bring people around the pianos," because not everyone can play the piano, but everyone can sing.

Smith described the sing-alongs as semi-organized and casual, usually drawing a crowd of about 30 to 50 people. Employees of the College, residents of nearby towns and Dartmouth students have all attended the sing-alongs.

"It brings joy into people's lives," Smith said.


Claire Groden