Pianos for Schools: A New Tool, a Stronger Community, and a Story That Doesn't End
Published: 2. july 2025
What can an ordinary piano do? At the right moment and in the right place, it can do much more than just make the music ring out. It can stir people, bring generations together and revitalize a school and a city. The Karel Komárek Family Foundation's (KKFF) Pianos for Schools project has shown all this, and is now concluding another successful round.
It all started with a few pianos and grand pianos rejected by a Chinese client and KKFF's determination to donate them to schools. This initiative grew into a nationwide program that involved 95 elementary art schools across the country over the course of five years. In three rounds of public fundraising, they managed to acquire 98 new instruments for a total of 41,636,423 crowns, supporting the musical ambitions of nearly 9,500 pupils. This result was achieved thanks to the generous support of more than 1,200 donors who took part in the latest round.
Each school had to raise half the cost of the chosen instrument themselves. Parents of pupils, mayors and business people helped. KKFF provided the schools with expert guidance, technical support and, last but not least, doubled every donation the school received in the collection.
„In order to succeed, schools had to be able to manage the collection and actively involve their community. We offered them an online donation platform, our experience, commitment and support. It was their work, their effort and their victory.“
Program Manager, Culture and Artistic Education
Why the piano?
No other instrument is so versatile and necessary. It is the basis for solo and chamber playing, an indispensable accompaniment for singers and string instruments.
„A good piano gives children the space to discover the colours of sound, to create, to feel the music fully. In contrast, the sound of older instruments is unbalanced and more difficult to tune. Although I myself have a 1760 violin at home and it is beautiful, I really wouldn't want to play a 1760 piano.“
Director of the ZUŠ Hrotovice
New collaborations and better relationships
In Hrotovice, parents, the founder and local companies joined the collection for the purchase of a new instrument. It was not just a musical project, but a joint effort. "You find out who really supports the school. You get to see what your colleagues can do when you give them the benefit of the doubt. And the pupils feel that the school is not alone. That the whole town is behind it," Lojda notes.
Ivona Filipová, director of the Choceň Art School, shares a similar experience. She praises the positive impact of the fundraiser in strengthening the school's relationship with the town and the surrounding community and describes that after the fundraiser was over, they were contacted by other business owners who also wanted to contribute. The school has thus established new long‑term sponsorships. In addition, it was able to develop a partnership with the town of Choceň, which donated the proceeds from the Benefit Ball under the Stars to the local ZUŠka.
The fundraiser is over, its impact lasts
Although the Piana to Schools collection has ended, its benefits will last for years to come. Perhaps in the moments when a child who may one day become a pianist sits down to play a new instrument for the first time. Or in the belief of everyone involved that even a seemingly complicated goal can be achieved through joint efforts.
„Every small and large amount has shown that when people with good intentions come together, they can do great things. It is with joy and gratitude that we want to thank everyone who supported our Piana for Schools fundraiser. Thanks to them, we were able to make a dream come true at the Choceň Elementary School and get a new piano that will serve our students for many years to come.“
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