Stoke Newington choir hits fundraising target to pay for ‘amazing’ grand piano

A Stoke Newington choir has successfully raised £3,000 to pay off a grand concert piano part-funded by a late friend of its conductor.

Stokey close harmony duo The Ga Ga Ladies. Picture: Polly Hancock - Credit: Archant

Chorus of Dissent, based in St Matthias Church Hall, Wordsworth Road, now has the instrument on permanent loan after raising the cash to hit the £9,000 total cost.

The funding drive started after conductor Ruth Whitehead’s great friend Liz Deeble died in 2018 and, as a great fan of the choir, left a small bequest in her will to provide a lasting memorial to celebrate their friendship.

Ruth using the legacy to put a downpayment on the piano, and was able to pay off another chunk through her financial advisory company Ruth Whitehead Associates.

The remaining £3,000 was raised through a series of events put on by Dissenters 16, the community organisation that runs the choir.

Stokey close harmony duo The Ga Ga Ladies. Picture: Polly Hancock - Credit: Archant

Ruth said: “We are delighted. A big thank you to members of Chorus of Dissent and their friends who gave of their time and energy.

“St Matthias is a glorious concert venue with a fantastic acoustic and very deserving of the grand piano which sounds amazing there.”