They just cannot believe that they finally have this “grand” possession.  They talk about its “wonderful appearance”, of how in the words of Leopold Godowsky “no other instrument can fill or replace its own say in the world of emotion.”  For the Forum for Teachers of Western Classical Music, the arrival of the Kawai RX-7 Grand, has been a dream come true, not just for the teachers but the students appearing for the piano exams as well.  
Says Gita Chacko, President of the Forum:  “It seemed an impossible dream when we decided five years back to invest in the piano, which was needed, especially for the exams. Year after year, it was becoming a herculean task to locate institutions or parents and friends who had a grand piano so that the exams could be conducted.”   Moreover, there was a mandatory requirement that all students of grade eight and the diploma exams need to play on the grand piano.”
So the Forum, led by Gita Chacko, began to raise funds in their own quiet, yet novel way. Says Treasurer Nalini Paul, “This is the first time the Forum has collected money.   Donations of any amount could be made towards the keys, clefs, notes, etc.  We got an encouraging response from students and parents, and well-wishers.”  A fund-raising concert by the Mumbai choral group Stopgaps and another by the Kodi International School, also helped to reach the target of Rs 10 lakhs. 
The piano, presumably the largest grand piano in the City, has been housed at the St Mark’s Resource Centre. Says Frances Lyn, Secretary: “It was nice of the presbyter of St Mark’s Church Rev Vincent Rajkumar to allow us to keep the Kawai Grand at the Centre, which is in the heart of the city,  has ample car parking and can seat at least 300.” 
The Forum is planning to have workshops and concerts.  While the teachers have informally inaugurated their “grand piece of ebony”, September 1 will be the special day when the piano will be inaugurated with a performance by students.  In December, the piano will make its professional debut with Canadian pianist Paul Stewart, who loves performing in India in different cities.  His performance of Tchaikovsky's First Concerto was hailed as “brawny and convincing…”
Says S K  Das, joint Secretary: “Paul has always shown an interest in our work, encouraging us in our efforts to get a piano. We are delighted that he will be here to dazzle us with another brilliant performance on our new grand piano.”
The Forum was founded in 1997 to bring teachers and supporters of Western Classical Music together. The focus of this group is to organize workshops, seminars, lecture-recitals, and other events in order to upgrade teaching to a professional level. 
Gita Chacko is the southern regional representative for The Association Board of the Royal Schools of Music.  Sr Christine Pinto, who is the Forum’s vice-president, is the local representative for the Trinity College of Music, London. Neecia Majolly represents the London College of Music, which will launch its examinations this year in India.