Piano Use Policies

The policies below apply to the use of pianos in the College of Music.

Piano Use Policy for Concerts and Performances

A high-quality grand piano is expensive and relatively fragile. Limiting its availability to performances and equivalent use is intended to preserve the piano’s readiness for performance. This will benefit all performers and performances.

Concert-prepped grand pianos are located in each of the College of Music’s performance venues: Fairchild Theatre, Cook Recital Hall, Hollander Hall, Murray Hall, Alumni Memorial Chapel, and Demonstration Hall.

General Rules

• The pianos in Fairchild, Cook, Hollander, Murray, and the Alumni Chapel will be locked at all times when not in use.
• All pianos will be covered after each use and while being moved on and off stage.
• When not using a piano cover, neatly fold it and set it on a chair. Never put it on the floor.
• Students and faculty will not give or lend keys for the locked pianos to others.
• No food or drink, even bottled water, is allowed anywhere near any of these pianos.
• Situations not covered explicitly by these rules will be interpreted by staff based on the guidelines set forth in this policy.
• Students violating these rules will lose the privilege of using these pianos.

Piano Handling in Cook Recital Hall

• Watch this instructional video detailing the proper handling and storage of pianos in Cook Recital Hall.

Piano Use Policy for “Prepared Piano”​

• A prepared piano is defined as any activity involving affixing labels, markings, or inserting foreign objects into the piano or manipulating the strings other than through the keyboard.
• Before a College of Music piano may be used for prepared piano purposes, approval and instructions must be obtained from the Piano Technology staff at Music.DL.PianoTech@msu.edu or by calling (517) 432-1582.
• A prepared piano may be used for rehearsal or performances.
• Following the rehearsal or performance, all labels, markings, and other objects as approved by the Piano Technology staff will be completely and promptly removed, leaving no permanent traces on the piano.

Piano Use Policy for Practice Rooms, Classrooms, and Rehearsal Spaces

• All pianos in the MSU College of Music are intended only for the use of faculty, staff, and currently registered students.
• NO FOOD OR DRINKS, including those in closed containers, are permitted ANYWHERE near the pianos.
• Pianos are NOT tables. Do not put anything on top of the piano lids, such as bags, instrument cases, coats, and food or drink containers.
• Help keep the pianos clean. Wash hands and avoid wearing lotion when using a piano.
• Never leave trash near or inside a piano. Put all trash or recycling in appropriate containers.
• Pianos are NOT to be moved by students, faculty, or staff unless authorized. This is for everyone’s safety and the safety of the piano.
• Pianos are EXTREMELY expensive to repair… Please help minimize these expenses by proper piano use and care to ensure that you and your colleagues have nice pianos to use.
• Request tuning or service for a piano by using the online booking form or by contacting the College of Music Piano Technicians:

Piano Technology
Piano Technology SharePoint site
Room 97 Music Building
Music.DL.PianoTech@msu.edu
(517) 355-3813

Fortepiano 

• Students must contact Music.DL.PianoTech@msu.edu before their first practice session in order to meet with her to learn about proper fortepiano care.
• Use of the fortepiano is restricted to within the Music Building and Music Practice Building (no performances at Fairchild Theatre or any other building on or off campus). Any performer using the fortepiano must have prior approval by the Piano Area.
• Students wishing to practice on the fortepiano must sign up on the sheet next to the door of the Piano Shop (97 MB) one week in advance and must include the approval of a faculty member.
• Students are limited to one hour per day of practice time.
• Keycard access for the fortepiano room can be obtained by contacting the student’s main professor.
• Food and drinks are NOT permitted in the fortepiano room.
• Do not place any personal items on the music desk or lid. Take all your belongings with you when finished in the room.