You Can Tune A Piano, But You Can't Tuna Fish

Oh, where to begin?

The Sun Prairie Area School District will open its new high school next fall. The massive project includes a "state-of-the-art" Performing Arts Center (PAC). Any self respecting PAC worth its salt should be equipped with a concert grand piano. Sadly, one was not budgeted within the $100M confines of said construction project. Yeah...we know. Unbelievable.

Not to worry. The Bernie Powers Band Foundation is hard at work fundraising to purchase a Steinway Model D concert grand piano. Nice piano--very nice. The price tag of $135,000, however, is a little (gulp) intimidating.

It seems that there's AT LEAST $1.1 MILLION dollars available in referendum money to put some "finishing touches" on the high school. A list of tentative projects to spend that money was presented this week at the FTT meeting. A concert piano did not appear anywhere on the list. Lots of lights for sports fields, bleachers, a hallway addition for the pool appeared. Even the prospect of purchasing sweat-soaked, used wrestling mats for $8300 each was considered amongst the options. Negatory on a piano though, good buddies.

What does a Steinway Grand Piano Cost (ballpark)?
Model S is 5’1”.
Model M, 5’ 7” comes in Mahogany, Walnut, Ebony and Satin Finish and the price range for new runs from about $53K to 56 K.
Model O, 5’11” come in Mahogany, Walnut, Ebony and Satin, and cost from $53K to 66K.
Model A, 6’2”, Mahogany, Walnut, Ebony, $60K to 75K.
Model B, 6’11”, Mahogany, Ebony, Walnut, Satin, $67K to 84K.
Model D, 9’, Mahogany, Ebony, Walnut Satin, $99K to 120K.
-- Colorado Piano Buyers Guide

Also check the "eBook of Pianos"/Steinway

What do other schools have?
A little Googling yields the following information. It's not hard...and most schools are proud to share their commitment to the arts.

School District________Seating Piano size _ Model
Verona _________________ 705 ___6 foot ____ Steinway-likely an "O"
Middleton-CrossPlains __ 891 ___7 foot ____ Steinway-likely a "B"
Fond du Lac ___________ 1020 __ 9 foot ____ Steinway D
Wisconsin Rapids _______ 833 __ 9 foot ____ Steinway D
Edgerton _______________ 598 __ 9 foot ____ Steinway D

Do we need a Steinway "D"?
A Steinway "D" is classy...top shelf...perhaps fitting for a "state-of-the-art" Performing Arts Center. Having a world class piano would undoubtedly attract more upscale (read; higher ticket prices and revenues) artists.

On the down side... a "D" is pretty pricey, and many famous artists would prefer something like a top shelf Yamaha.

It's not unlike buying a car. Sure...you'd LIKE to have a Jag, a Mercedes, a Lexus perhaps? or even a HumVee. But realistically...you're going to wind up purchasing something durable, functional, practical, and affordable. So you buy a...(not goin' there!).

But we DO need a concert grand piano
It seems patently obvious that a pretty nice piano SHOULD have been built into the budget.
It's just as obvious that even with $1.1+ million in available referendum money, purchasing a piano isn't even on the district's (school board?) radar screen. Sad, isn't it. They talk a good game about equality in education, but the list of proposed projects said it all: sports! And...we're sports guys. But label us sports guys that favor equity for ALL aspects of curriculum and education. And the arts is still a necessary part of a well-rounded education.

As good leaders, we'd be looking for a school board to step in and offer some compromise. Perhaps work with the Bernie Powers Band Foundation to alter their dreams for a Steinway "D". And, in return, offer up a sizable chunk towards the purchase...say at least $50,000 to $75,000? Heck...the FTT just voted to reduce the number of computers to be purchased by 60...and that would free up about $30,000 of referendum money. Let's cut back some more, and put the money towards a concert grand piano.

Where Exactly IS the "Want/Need" Line?

We appreciate Rick Mealy sharing the following e-mail he received from school board member Al Slane (the only board member to respond we might add). Mr. Mealy e-mailed all board members requesting that his e-mail be read into the meeting record (denied by Whalen). Mealy encouraged the board to provide balance by purchasing 250-300 fewer computers and instead purchasing the Steinway D grand piano required for the Performing Arts Center (which no Board member supported)

Date: Monday, December 21, 2009 11:25 AM
From: Al Slane
To: Rick Mealy
Subject: Re: PUBLIC COMMENT for tonight's meeting

Rick,

Thanks for the input. I was planning to pull this from consent tonight, and I will propose that we send it back to FTT for further refinement.

On the Steinway, I think fund raising is appropriate, as the piano they want falls on the other side of the want/need line in my opinion.

---

As an incumbent who is running for re-election, please tell us: "Where exactly DOES the "Want/Need" line fall, Mr. Slane?"
Inquiring minds would like to know.

Computers: $700,000 Grand Piano: $0

Number of PCs being purchased for the new high school: 1100

Number of pianos being purchased for the new "state of the art" Performing Arts Center: 0

Number of students per PC on opening day at the new high school: 1.25 (1400 to 1100).

But NO grand piano for the performing arts center.

Wait....that's not entirely correct. The Bernie Powers Band Foundation is raising the $135,000 necessary to purchase a top shelf Steinway D grand piano for the Performing Arts Center.

They shouldn't have to.

This wasn't even worthy of an official agenda item at the school board's FTT meeting--only an "Informational Item".

Yes, Virginia...technology (PCs) is important. But isn't music (and the arts) equally important??

N'est ce pas?

At $500 each....why not buy 270 fewer PCs and use the $135,000 savings to purchase a grand piano out of the referendum money??

That would still mean 830 NEW PCs at the new high school, for a projected 1400 students? Even taking out 100 of those PCs for staff, that leaves us with 730 PCs for students, or one for every 2 students. Even at capacity (2000) 730 PCs would translate to 1 PC for every 3 students.

And those are more than acceptable numbers.

Why should the public have to pony up more cash to buy a piano that should come included with a $100 M high school?

Ask your school board members. Instead of rationalizing things independently, they only rubber stamp what administration "suggests".