The Maydwell Piano

• The Alex Steinbach SG-185 piano was manufactured in 2000 and originally purchased by Helen Maydwell.

• Following her passing in 2024, the piano was gifted to the Sydney University Piano Society to enable use by the wider university community. With the support of the USU, it was installed in the Common Room at the Holme Building in mid-2025. 

• In 2026, PianoSoc developed arrangements to allow other clubs/societies to contribute towards the maintenance of the piano, ensuring that the piano continues to be maintained for the university community whilst keeping PianoSoc fiscally sustainable for the long-term.

• Use of the piano is available for all members of the University of Sydney community!

• As of 2026, it remains the only regularly-maintained grand piano available for public use at the University of Sydney.

• We ask that you help us care for it by following the guidelines on the etiquette sign. All maintenance expenses comes out of PianoSoc's own budget – we don't get any extra funding from the USU or USYD to help maintain the piano.

  • No food/drink near the piano, please!

  • Close the lid and replace all covers after use.

  • Ensure the dehumidifer remains plugged in.

• If you notice any issues, please let us know via this report form

  • This piano and the associated accessories (e.g. piano stools) is a PianoSoc-owned asset and we must be notified of any damage, movement or other changes to it.

  • Contractors should use the emergency contact phone number listed on the piano etiquette sign when building works impact the piano. 

Our piano is located on Level 4 of the Holme Building on Science Road at the University of Sydney. The Holme Building is located behind the Quad near the Footbridge. Take the stairs up one level above ground, and head past the USU Clubs Office to find the Common Room.

• Clubs/societies can book the piano by booking the USU Holme Building Common Room through the USU booking portal (just like any other room). There is no fee/charge to use the piano, but if you book it on a regular basis for society events/rehearsals, we ask that you consider supporting the piano's maintenance with us.

• Individuals may use the piano whenever the Holme Building is open, and when the Common Room has not been booked by another club/society. Check when the Common Room is open.