Hitting the high notes

[p]On July 12th this year, a piano will be heard in Ladakh, on the Taglang La pass in the Indian Himalaya. This dreamy recital by Neil will be the highest of its kind, ever, in the world. This is not an act of foolish vanity, but a half hour performance from a pianist with not only serious altitude, but also someone who is keen to help impoverished local communities in the Himalayas.[/p][p]The air is thin at 5328m, just getting the baby grand piano there will be a mission, actually playing it for half an hour will be little short of a musical marathon. Despite it being the middle of summer, temperatures can drop below freezing, not generally conditions for a piano maestro, but, with support and a pair of fingerless gloves, and what promises to be a small but select audience, these notes will drift on the ether higher than have ever been heard before. [/p][p]An act of musical folly perhaps, but you try asking what the many people who will benefit from this think about it. [/p][p]Our sponsorship target is £5,328. Donations will be managed by Friends of Conservation for the Exodus Travels UK Himalayan Community Support Projects. Specifically, the money raised will pay for the setting up of two plastic-free Eco Cafes in villages in Ladakh run by local women on a popular trekking route. It will also fund a cook/carer for an old people’s home in Kyanjin gompa in the Langtang Valley, Nepal. The elderly people there lost their houses and relatives in the 2015 earthquake, and although they now have a home, they cannot look after themselves and need help. [/p][p]Postscript: Neil 'hit the high notes' on the Taglang La at 8am local time, Friday 12th July 2019![/p]