Pianos for the UK’s most disadvantaged children: Nathan Aké teams up with Casio Music to donate pianos to Manchester schools with ‘Playing for Change’ initiative
London, UK, February, 2024: Manchester City FC footballer and piano player Nathan Aké, has teamed up with Casio Music UK, one of the world’s most renowned producers of digital musical instruments, to create ‘Playing for Change’ - a special donation project. This first-of-a-kind initiative will see ten digital pianos donated to some of Manchester’s most disadvantaged schools experiencing lack of funding in relation to music provision. Supported by national music charity Restore The Music, schools and communities in Manchester that are in most need will benefit from this unique type of donation.
On Tuesday 6th February, Nathan Aké visited The East Manchester Academy - located in one of Manchester’s most deprived areas - to donate two Casio CDP-S110 digital pianos to its music department enabling even more young people with the opportunity to learn. Nathan learnt piano during the first Covid-19 lockdown and testifies to the benefits it brings, such as improved mental wellbeing, mental health, physical health, more focus time and much more. Like Casio, Nathan feels passionately that all children should have access to the benefits of music education – leading to the former’s partnership and formation of the ‘Playing for Change’ initiative.
In total, ten Casio CDP-S110 piano packages are being donated to other Manchester schools including: primary schools Marlborough Road Primary Academy and Dukesgate Academy, as well as secondary schools Abraham Moss Community School, Our Lady RC High School and Salford City Academy - alongside The East Manchester Academy. These schools have been identified by national grant-giving music charity, Restore The Music, for this essential donation and will all receive a portable 88 full-size, weighted key digital piano - the Casio CDP-S110 which comes with a stand, headphones and additional sustain pedal to complete the ideal setup to commence learning.
Manchester is home to some of the highest socio-economic deprivation among children in the UK, estimated at 250,000 (Greater Manchester Poverty Action). The statistics for children living in Manchester in poverty have risen from 35.4 per cent in 2015 up to 42 per cent in 2021. To understand the scale of poverty, Manchester City Council has the third highest rate of child poverty among local authorities in England.
Manchester City FC footballer and piano player, Nathan Aké, said: “I am so excited to partner with Casio to create the ‘Playing For Change’ initiative. Learning to play piano has offered me so many positives - from supporting my mental health, to helping me wind down from football. With the support of Restore The Music, some of Manchester’s most deprived children will have the chance to enjoy the same benefits of music education that they may not have had before. I believe all children deserve these opportunities and I am grateful to Casio for sharing this vision.”
Neil Evans, Head of Casio EMI, commented: “Music holds the power to enhance the lives of people from all walks of life and shouldn’t be the privilege of the few. Working with Nathan who understands the benefits of learning piano, complements our wellbeing, health and educational initiative to provide access to music for even more young people. Access to music can boost academic performance, social skills, cognitive development, improve confidence and so much more. Therefore we encourage more initiatives like this that give people of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to learn, play, connect or reconnect with music.”
Polly Stepan Moore, CEO and Founder of Restore The Music, added: “We are delighted to partner with Manchester City’s inspirational player Nathan Aké and Casio, to donate ten much needed pianos to the six Manchester state schools we pinpointed as most in need. As Restore The Music, we were delighted to identify and engage the schools to enable the donation, the impact of which will be enriching to young lives, helping to unlock music potential in Manchester’s most deprived schools. Restore The Music works to get vital grant funding into the hands of the most underserved state schools across the country, enabling children to access the music education and instruments they so deserve. We firmly believe music isn’t a nice to have, it’s a must have.”
Historically, access to music education has been the reserve for children growing up in affluent families. Therefore, in the short term, poorer children miss the benefits music lessons provide – cultivating social skills, physical skills, discipline and patience, boosting confidence, improvement to other academic skills, and much more. In the long term, it denies them the chance to pursue musical careers. This unique collaboration between Nathan Aké and Casio, supported by Restore The Music, will provide even more opportunities for disadvantaged young people to unlock potential that only music can offer. For more information, please visit casio.co.uk/emi.
