Hi Zeno -
If you are looking to begin the process of your denouncement and ultimate ushered-exit from the scene, this is a fine place to start. You're looking at administrative cowardice and pedagogical pandering, as in: teachers want to display a level of control over 'their' space, to be able to bestow their largess upon favored students, for a variety of purposes. I may have told you (or posted to list) my experience at Manhattan School. From the beginning, I was asked by admin to try to get control of the student practicing in studios, but the teachers resisted, for the above reasons. Additionally, there was a (barely) underground market in extra keys, which became a secondary enforcement pastime, as in, walking into a practice room (after knocking) to find a hefty set of illicit keys on a chair or even the piano. I had to steel myself against the dismay I knew I was causing at confiscating what had likely taken great effort (and perhaps $) to accumulate, but the anarchy so offended my sensibilities.
In the end, I had to accept a compromise, of sorts. I gained elevated access to the computerized scheduling program, where I could pro-actively reserve time in practice rooms (subject to scheduler confirmation - almost never a problem), and I extracted a general understanding of when faculty (or their minions) would NOT be in their studios. They had to understand the trade-off.
Ultimately, the problem should rest more with the internal strife generated within the various teacher's studios by some students being treated 'more equally' than others, and an admin that is unwilling to demonstrate fiduciary responsibility by protecting investment.
Just keep a timely journal and periodically report on the entropic process to your admin.
Get even when opportunity arises :)
Ask Alan Eder. He has a unique cross-over perspective. And he's in California.
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David Skolnik [RPT]
Hastings-on-Hudson NY
914-231-7565
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-06-2018 07:52
From: Zeno Wood
Subject: Practicing on teaching pianos
Hi gang,
Does anyone have a policy on access to piano teaching studio instruments? We have studios with new pianos and I'd prefer that students, even very advanced ones, practice in the practice rooms. I've explained that to the faculty and administration who act as if they understand but then the next time we speak, they say we should allow advanced students to practice on those pianos.
Thanks in admin dance for your sage words of wisdom!
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Zeno Wood
Brooklyn, NY
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