by Laura Billingsley ’04
The seed of an idea was planted during an A Cappella Choir trip to Denver in May 2016. While touring the city, choir members saw colorful, decorated “street pianos” perched on sidewalks around town. They were available for anyone to step up and play, offering an oasis of music in a busy city.
That’s the feeling Mu Gamma Pi wants to recreate on Central’s campus, says Wyatt Rath ‘18, president of the music service society. Mu Gamma Pi members transformed a piano donated by first-year member Tyler Born’s family, and installed it outside Geisler Library.
“We want the piano to be available to people of all skill levels. It’s the idea that music, beauty and art should be accessible to everyone,” Rath says.
The red piano, decorated with quotes and designs, will spend the summer outside Geisler and may move to another location in the fall. Rath says he knows the instrument won’t remain in pristine condition, but being exposed to the elements is part of the beauty of the project.
“The piano exists within nature,” he says. “It will change and evolve with the conditions.”
Mu Gamma Pi hopes the piano will become a landmark on campus were passersby can live out the quote by Robert Schumann that adorns the piano: “When you play, never mind who listens to you.”
