David Pipe: Performing at public piano launch on York Station front foyer on Thursday afternoon
A PUBLIC piano is being installed at York Station in a collaboration between the Richard Shephard Music Foundation (RSMF), London North Eastern Railway (LNER) and Piano Equals, the piano re-use initiative.
Trustees from the RSMF will gather at the piano on the front foyer on Thursday (15/1/2026) when David Pipe will play Richard Shephard’s Let Him Who Seeks for commuters, among other music.
This joyful piano installation will bring music to a public space while also supporting young musicians across Yorkshire and the North East and raising awareness of the RSMF charity’s work.
Founded in 2021 in memory of Dr Richard Shephard, church and secular music composer and Minster School headmaster from 1985 to 2004, the RSMF has celebrated its most successful year to date, when more than 8,685 children received weekly music lessons through partnerships with 34 schools in 2025.
This milestone marks significant progress toward the foundation’s goal of teaching 10,000 children every week by 2026: a target that will mean almost one in seven primary-aged children in the region will have regular access to high-quality music education.
“Music inspires, unites and empowers,” says Andrea Hayes, former head teacher and foundation trustee. “The foundation brings that power into classrooms, ensuring every child, whatever their background, can access high-quality music teaching.”
Key highlights from the Richard Shephard Music the Foundation’s 2024–25 Impact Report:
8,685 children received weekly music lessons, totalling 8,250 hours of high-quality musiceducation.
34 partner schools participated, including new additions in East Yorkshire, Saltburn, Darlington, Richmond, and Selby.
50 children joined the foundation’s biggest-ever Make Music Day, celebrating creativity and collaboration through live workshops and performances.
Ten free “Music Explorers” holiday clubs reached 263 children, with an average of 57 per cent eligible for Free School Meals, rising to 85 per cent in Scarborough.
1,943 children took part in foundation-led events, concerts and community performances.
Independent evaluations and teacher feedback revealed transformative results:
99 per cent of staff reported improved confidence among pupils.
97 per cent saw enhanced musical knowledge.
92 per cent observed improvements in wellbeing.
94 per cent said their school’s standard of music teaching had improved.
Reaching communities that need it most
HALF of the foundation’s partner schools have more than 30 per cent of pupils eligible for Free School Meals, 12 being based in Arts Council England’s Priority Places. By focusing on these areas, RSMF is ensuring access to the social, emotional and educational benefits of music for children who might otherwise miss out.
How you can be involved
WHETHER you are a parent, musician or member of the public passionate about music education, RSMF invites you to become a Friend of the Foundation by committing to a monthly donation, as small or large as suits you.
You will receive updates from the foundation and invitations to events. To join and donate, visit: donate.rsmf.org.uk.
“Research highlights time and time again that music education is not an equal playing field,” says foundation chief executive officer Cathy Grant. “The Child of the North report found that 93 per cent of children are being excluded from arts and cultural education due to a lack of funding in state schools, with almost half (42 per cent) of secondary schools no longer entering pupils for GCSE Music.
“The same report outlined how participation in arts activities also correlates strongly with socioeconomic status – with children from the most affluent backgrounds being three times more likely to sing in a choir or play in an orchestra than those in deprived areas.
“Our work directly addresses these inequalities,aiming to level the playing field for children across our region.”