Paul, Here at Boise State we had a change of dept. head two years ago. It was his decree that all pianos be free to all students. Thus, the recital hall pianos ( a B 1975? and D 1990) were unlocked and allowed perusal by all. The result? Those pianos now have locks on them again. After I restrung the treble, rehammered the D and massive voicing and regulating of the B, it was deigned that such a large appropriation of money for repair deserves the respect of everyone and the performing of a select few. In addition, we now lock five practice rooms which have new pianos in them. Piano performance majors are issued a key to whichever room they choose and are responsible (hmmm) for said instruments. All classrooms and instructors' studios are locked. I heard much dissaproval about this from non-piano majors, however I believe the benefits far outweigh the whining, and I don't shrink from telling them such. One day, as I was laboring with bass string replacements on a wurlitzer studio, I glanced to the neighboring practice room to see, ala Tom Waits, a pianist (?) smoking a cigarette down to a hanging ash. This is why I favor a lockdown. There is at least an illusion of security. Our music dept. is small, only about 55 pianos, of which ten are of the caliber you have described at your facility. It may just take issuing keys for rooms rather than hi tech solutions. Perhaps a "hall monitor", some Kappa Kappa Psi pledge who sits for hours on end signing rooms in and out, is a more economical solution. Eric Leatha tunrboy@aol.com
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