This year, the City’s Arts & Culture Department will again launch Newton’s well-regarded Artful Pianos program with seven or nine decorated pianos. Why seven or nine? So far this year, all but two of the pianos have teams of volunteer Piano Pals ready to care for their pianos, rain or shine.
The two remaining pianos will be included only if volunteers in two locations — Newtonville and around Coletti-Magni Park — step up to care for them.
What do the Piano Pals do? From Memorial Day through Labor Day, Piano Pals are responsible for covering the pianos (with City-provided tarps and bungees) in bad weather, uncovering them in good weather, and alerting the City if the pianos have been damaged. Piano Pals and anyone else are welcome to play.
Many pianos are under the care of teams of Piano Pals who make their own schedule to ensure daily coverage.
Below just might be a letter of appeal from one of the pianos:
Dear Newtonians,
I’m one of the two pianos that need your help.
As a piano, I’ve always been very cautious about my health. I get myself tuned and cleaned twice a year and I’m careful to stay away from windows, doors, and direct sunlight — anything that might leave me feeling a little flat.
The past few years, I’ve been feeling restless. I’m yearning to see the great outdoors and feel the grass beneath my casters and the sun on my lid. So imagine my excitement when I was chosen to participate in Newton’s Artful Piano Program!
But — I just found out my dreams may not come true! I cannot live in nature without help. I am not built to withstand the elements.
Would you be willing to help me and volunteer as a Piano Pal? With your assistance, I will finally get to live my dream — spending my final days outside, in the sun.
Pedal down, lid up, spirits high,
An Exceedingly Artful Piano
If you are a potential Piano Pal, send an email to [email protected] or call 617-796-1540 to learn more. Enlist your friends to form a team. Pianos and neighbors will appreciate your commitment and care.
