The First Fleet Piano preserved at WAAPA.
Edith Cowan University (ECU) is partnering with two of Western Australia's most respected philanthropic foundations to restore, conserve and activate some of the world's most precious historic pianos, currently preserved at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).
ECU will receive significant funding over three years from The Wright Burt Foundation and The Feilman Foundation to support a program of restoration, research and performance. In addition, two student scholarships will be awarded: one supporting the training of a specialist keyboard technician/restorer and the other for a pianist specialising in romantic-era pianos.
"These generous donations will enable a three-year initiative to restore and activate through performance, some of WAAPA's unique and historic pianos. Performers will be given the chance to experiment with long-lost soundscapes, and the restoration program promises to revitalise a rare craft that is in grave danger of vanishing globally," Professor David Shirley, Executive Dean of WAAPA said.
Performers will get the chance to experiment with long-lost soundscapes.
"In addition to working with leading European restorers, ECU is proud to be partnering with a local artisan. Patrick Elms, based in Albany, Western Australia, is considered by many to be Australia's finest and most experienced restorer of late-romantic German pianos. Patrick will lead the local arm of the restoration program, whilst staff from the Centre for Keyboard Heritage and Research will direct a suite of research and performance activities centred round the newly restored instruments.
With its new home at the ECU City campus, opening in 2026, and with a purpose-built exhibition and performance space to showcase the flagship historic instruments in the collection—WAAPA is poised to become a centre of excellence for collaboration and innovation across piano performance, education, conservation, restoration, and maintenance.
"We can draw musicians, scholars, and lovers of the piano from around the world to connect with us and share the ambition to create fresh and substantial economic and cultural impact in WA," Professor Shirley said.
"Students will have the opportunity to rehearse and perform on instruments spanning multiple musical eras and take part in training in the art of restoring and conserving precious artifacts of musical history."
Historical and culturally significant collection
In 2016, WAAPA received an unprecedented and historic gift - the Stewart Symonds Keyboard Instrument Collection. It is widely recognised as one of the most significant in the world. Furthermore, in 2020 WAAPA received a similar gift of historic pianos from Mr David Forward of Adelaide.
Now preserved for posterity at WAAPA, the Historic Pianos collection comprises over 160 instruments, including several that are the last remaining examples of their kind in the world.
The collection offers an unparalleled snapshot of the progression of keyboard instruments throughout history, positioning WAAPA at ECU to become a world leader in historical keyboard research and training.
WAAPA’s bespoke 'Piano Salon', a purpose-built exhibition and performance space at ECU's new Perth city campus, will open in semester one 2026.
"We have received wonderful support for this extraordinary collection over the years, and as we prepare for our exciting move to ECU City, our fundraising efforts have intensified once again," Professor Shirley added.
More information about the restoration and conservation program and student scholarships at WAAPA, head to the Historic Pianos webpage.
