performance piano policies

[Jeff Tanner]

On Wednesday, October 8, 2003, at 09:07 PM, David's Email wrote:

> Jeff,
>
> It sounds like your school doesn't have a performance piano policy?  
> All
> pianos are used every day from 8 am to 10 pm.?  What would the rules 
> be the
> students respect...just curious.
>
> David I.
>

Well, honestly, it's more understood than written, I think.  Yes, the 
room is booked pretty solidly, not everyday, but later in the semesters 
it can be that way.  But this is the only lecture hall we have (and it 
had to be labeled a lecture hall in the plans to get it approved with 
the building), and the large music theory classes are held in there as 
well.  So the piano is not in use that whole time.  Also, part of the 
time reserved for recitals is for setup.  You might have a 3 hour 
reservation for a 1 hour recital, and then perhaps a rehearsal 
afterward, which may or may not involve piano.

I think the students simply understand the pianos are off limits except 
for seminars, rehearsals and recitals.  There are 2 to 3 one hour 
seminars a week, and piano usage varies for those, sometimes not even 
being used at all.  Students are allowed one dress rehearsal for 
recitals.  Also, organ lessons are taught in there, and I have an hour 
and a half every day reserved.  So, the room is really used for many 
things, relatively few of which actually involve the pianos.

I'm sure there is a policy in writing SOMEWHERE, but I've really never 
had to consult the rules.  I just don't find people in there using the 
piano who aren't supposed to be there.  Again, the room is locked (or 
supposed to be) when it's not in use, and students don't have access to 
keys without a professor's guidance and approval.  I'd say the piano is 
used at most, an average of 4, maybe 5 hours a day.

Jeff