[CAUT] Practicing on concert hall pianos piano

[Jeff Tanner]

There were 3 recital slots per day M-F, and from about February through the end of the year, they would be full.  Up until a new recital hall policy was created a couple years before I left, Saturday and Sunday recitals were also common.  A new recital series had also just begun for Sunday afternoons, featuring faculty or graduate students.  We had only one recital space, so the main piano was used for everything from jazz or chorus concerts to voice recitals to piano recitals.  The hall also doubled as a lecture classroom, and so the recital piano was also used by instructors for class.  There was also a 2nd, perfectly good D of the same age on stage, but everyone used the one piano unless two were called for.

So we could have as many as between 15 and 20 recitals and programs per week as well, plus rehearsals.

Jeff
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jim Busby 
  To: caut at ptg.org 
  Sent: Monday, February 23, 2009 8:01 PM
  Subject: Re: [CAUT] Practicing on concert hall pianos piano


  Thanks Jeff.

   

  What kind of pressure was on the main piano? Average concerts per week using the piano. Any guess?

   

  Regards,

  Jim

   

   

   

  From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Jeff Tanner
  Sent: Monday, February 23, 2009 5:32 PM
  To: caut at ptg.org
  Subject: Re: [CAUT] Practicing on concert hall pianos piano

   

  At USC, we allowed one hour, but I'm not sure it was always practical or possible to require the instructor be present.  As far as wearing out the piano, the first set of hammers lasted over 10 years on the main piano.

  Tanner

    ----- Original Message ----- 

    From: Jim Busby 

    To: caut at ptg.org 

    Sent: Monday, February 23, 2009 7:01 PM

    Subject: [CAUT] Practicing on concert hall pianos piano

     

    All,

     

    I know we have had this on the list before, but what policy do you have concerning students practicing on concert hall instruments? Here is ours;

     

    -          Students are allowed only one rehearsal prior to their recital, and then only if time/schedule allows. 

    -          Students cannot practice w/o their teacher being present.

     

    Does this sound unreasonable? Does excessive practicing wear out the piano, or make it more difficult to keep in the best condition? Mind you, we have had up to 19 concerts in one week. What would you consider excessive, considering the rigorous concert schedule that the pianos must already endure?

     

    Thank you!

     

    Sincerely,

    Jim Busby BYU

     

    P.S. You can guess why I'm writing.  We're being pressed to allow students to play more than our "policy" allows. Please do let me quote your short, to the point comments, as well as your policies to our piano faculty. You may quote me on the above.
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