<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 3.2//EN"> <HTML> <HEAD> <META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; = charset=us-ascii"> <META NAME="Generator" CONTENT="MS Exchange Server version = 5.5.2651.67"> <TITLE>RE: recital piano usage</TITLE> </HEAD> <BODY> <UL> Caut, We are reviewing our policy on = recital piano usage, and input from other institutions would be helpful. So, a = few questions. 1. Do you limit access to your = recital piano(s)? YES 2. How much rehearsal time is allowed = for piano recitals on that piano? Piano majors get two 1.5 hour = sessions. I think faculty get more, but don't usually use it - it means = they would have to be here more often. 3. How much rehearsal time is allowed = for vocal or instrumental recitals where that piano will be used to = accompany? Same 4. Is the piano locked and covered, = and if so, who is in charge of the key? What about weekend recitals? (we = have many) We used to keep all the main concert = instruments locked and covered, but our new facilities are more secure = now and we only lock one. We have six 9' grands and three 7' grands in = recital spaces, so keeping them all locked would be a nightmare. We use = a changeable combination lock (I think the brand name is Sesamee, as in = open. High quality, easy to reprogram). The combination changes weekly = and the scheduling office gives the appropriate combination to the = person when they schedule rehearsal and recital times. The weekly = combinations are generated at the beginning of each quarter and the = scheduling office and the piano techs. have copies. This works as well = or better than any system I know of (as long as the human element = replaces the lock when finished), and once you get into the routine of = changing the combo. each week is relatively painless and removes the = nightmare of getting keys to the right person at the right time. If a = panicked recitalist has forgotten the combo, you can give it to them = over the phone...if you have had the foresight to keep a copy of the = combo sheet at home! Any other information you wish to = volunteer would be helpful. I'm sure this information will be helpful to = many schools. Thanks in advance for you = help. </UL> Dave Forman, Westminster Choir College = of Rider University ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Eric Wolfley, = RPT Head Piano = Technician Cincinnati College = Conservatory of Music University of = Cincinnati ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ </BODY> </HTML>