A high-quality concert piano is expensive, costly to maintain, and relatively fragile. Limiting its availability to only specific events, and rehearsals immediately preceding those performances, preserves the instrument's readiness for all performers.

The Piano Use Policy pertains to the following instruments:

  • Steinway No. 1 (SS-D1, New Steinway), Beam Music Center, Rando Recital Hall
  • Steinway No. 2 (SS-D2, Fischer Steinway), Beam Music Center, Rando Recital Hall
  • Shigeru Kawai No. 1 (SK-1), Beam Music Center, Room 159
  • Shigeru Kawai No. 2 (SK-2), Ham Fine Arts, Room 147
  • Shigeru Kawai No. 3 (SK-3), Ham Fine Arts, Room 238
  • Boston No. 1 (B1), Ham Fine Arts, Room 130
  • Boston No. 2 (B2), Ham Fine Arts, Room 132
  • Steinway B1 (SS-B1), Ham Fine Arts, Room 130
  • Steinway B2 (SS-B2), Ham Fine Arts, Room 132
  • Yamaha (Y-1), Beam Music Center, Rando Recital Hall

General Rules

  • Steinway No. 1 (SS-D1, New Steinway) is used ONLY by School of Music faculty and faculty-invited artists-in-residence. The school does not allow student performances on Steinway No. 1 unless the student is performing with a faculty member and/or an artist-in-residence invited by that faculty member.
  • Steinway No. 2 (SS-D2, Fischer Steinway) is used for all student solo piano performances, ensemble performances requiring piano, and most accompanying needs in Doc Rando Recital Hall.
  • When not in use, all pianos must be fully closed, covered, and locked at all times.
  • The School of Music office distributes keys for the performance pianos to piano faculty, registered accompanists, school administrators, and others on an as-needed basis.
  • When not in use, all Doc Rando Recital Hall pianos are to be stored on stage. DO NOT MOVE THE PIANOS TO THE BACKSTAGE AREA. Steinway No. 1 is stored on the left side (stage right) of the organ. Steinway No. 2 is stored on the right side (stage left) of the organ. (The keyboard does not face the audience but must be close to the wall.)
  • Under no circumstances is anything to be placed on a piano lid.
  • Removal of the piano lid requires permission of the piano faculty and/or technical staff and, if granted, accomplished only under the supervision of the technical staff.
  • Food or drink (except water in clear plastic bottles) is prohibited in Doc Rando Recital Hall.

Prepared Piano Rules

  • A prepared piano is a piano that has had its sound altered by placing objects (preparations) between or on the strings or on the hammers or dampers.
  • Steinway No. 1 is NOT available for prepared-piano performances.
  • Before a performer uses any other School of Music piano for prepared-piano purposes, the performer must obtain approval from the piano faculty and technical staff. Please contact Mykola Suk, Timothy Hoft, or Rob Goodale.
  • If a prepared-piano performance receives school approval, the performer must install all preparations under the supervision of the piano faculty and technical staff.
  • Following the rehearsal or performance, the performer must remove all preparations under the supervision of the piano faculty and technical staff, leaving no permanent traces in the piano.