Our policy at WSU is that *nothing* is placed on the pianos and harpsichords in our performance venues_________ whether the cover is in place or not. This eliminates any gray areas or judgement calls as to what constitutes an article which may, or may not, cause damage to the instrument. If asked, I simply tell the curious that items should be placed where they would have been had the piano not been available (which, of course, it isn't!). My evil tendancy, though, is to take any offending article I find, hold it over a patch of floor where the piano isn't, and release it at the same height above the floor at which its owner originally let go of it.... (in my dreams :) Not to say that this policy is 100% effective; it isn't. Its effectiveness is generally a function of my vigilance... but it seems to be a good place to start. Regards, Alan Crane, RPT School of Music Wichita State University alan.crane@wichita.edu
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