SOUTHAMPTON city centre will become a stage over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend, as the Keys to the City event brings piano music back into the spotlight.

This free event is organised by Music in the City, which uses performance space in the city to help musicians showcase their talents.

Students from the University of Southamp-ton music department will be performing in WestQuay Shopping Centre on Friday, May 28, with a mixed programme featuring classically trained undergraduates, traditional jazz artists and a piano duet.

The following day will see the piano travel to The Mall, with performances from local piano teachers and their students, and a star turn from Tim Morris (pictured). Tim is a winner of the prestigious Pianist- Yamaha Audience Favourite Award, as well as being a professor of theoretical physics at the University of Southampton.

The Art Gallery in the Civic Centre is hosting the event on Monday May 31 with a line-up of local artists, Pete Davison, Stephen McCleery, Jonathan Fashole-Luke and Renes “Bbwi” Lopanor.

As well as highlighting the talents of a wide range of Southampton pianists, Keys to the City seeks to remind us what a wonderful instrument the piano can be.

The event, supported by Triangle Pianos and Russells’ Removals, is also a precursor to the first ever Music in the City event between October 1 and 10.