Piano Usage

[Newton Hunt]

Hi, Joe,
      You are in the same boat as I.  135 pianos, 220 to 240 recitals per
year, humidity from 16 to 86% while action work needs adoin'.
      Our main auditorium has two pianos, Mack and Grendl.  Mack is currently
in favor because he is brighter and the action is more even.  The auditorium is
lock and the keys are closely controlled by appointment.  Students, even DMAs
rarely get to use the place unless they have a recital just days away.  Other
venues have locks on the pianos and the combinations are avalable on a need to
know basis.  I rotate the locks as the combinations get passed around.
      I am in the process of trying to find a convenient means of locking and
unlocking the pianos.  I do not like to get on my hands and knees to unlock the
pianos for tuning and I know the profs hate it as well.  If I find something I
will share it.
      The point needs to be made that performance pianos are to be kept at
that level of performance they CANNOT be used for practicing, excepting
preconcert rehearsals and everyone concerned needs to agree, or most everyone
anyway.
      And, Joe, I like the lube stuff.
            Newton
            nhunt@rci.rutgers.edu
            Keyboard Specialist
            The State University of New Jersey
            Rutgers, Douglass Campus
            Mason Gross School of the Arts.