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Durham Breakfast with Damian

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Help break a world record with 3 friends and a piano!

There's a super rare chance to become a Guinness World Record-breaker, and all you need is a little musical flair! Sunderland Music City is looking for almost 200 pianists to help them smash a world record! They want to get the most people to play the same piano in a relay and beat the current record of 169 set in Hong Kong earlier this year.

They're calling this massive, 12-hour piano marathon 'Keys of the City'.

Michelle Daurat, the charity's CEO, admits organizing a gig with this many musicians is "quite complicated," but she's urging everyone to get involved—schools, businesses, friends, and families!

"You don't have to be a concert pianist, you could be a beginner, but as long as you can bang out a tune for three to five minutes then we want you to come and take part in this amazing record," she said.

You need to sign up in teams of four. Each team gets a 15-minute slot to show off their skills.

Since Guinness World Records officials will be watching the video footage, there are a few strict rules. The main one? A performer's hands must be on the keys at all times—even when your team members are switching places!

But don't worry, while you're "tickling the ivories," you can play whatever you like!

"We will provide the piano, we provide the venue, the warmth and the atmosphere and we are just asking people to come along," Ms. Daurat mentioned.

 

The big record attempt kicks off at The Fire Station in Sunderland at 8:00 AM GMT on December 7th.

If you want in on the action, you need to register online by November 26th!

The event is free, but participants are encouraged to raise sponsorship for the Music Against Child Poverty Campaign. Last year, the campaign did amazing work, raising almost £52,000 for Love, Amelia, a charity supporting families in poverty.

As Ms. Daurat summed it up: "Sunderland is a proud Music City and this event is about using music to unite our city, to show the power of creativity, and to help children who most need our support."

Click here to enter! 

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