Pianists at Somerville can book slots to practice on the college pianos.
In applying to be an approved user, you are agreeing to the terms as outlined in our Guidelines for using the Chapel Steinway, which you can find at the bottom of the page linked above. Carefully note limited hours of access and be aware of disturbing others who may be teaching, studying or working in the buildings. Once you have been put on the approved users list, you will be able to obtain the keys for unlocking these instruments from the Lodge.
The list of approved piano users is primarily generated from responses to Freshers Music Forms. If you missed the initial application process, please complete this form to gain access as appropriate. Please note that these applications are only processed once every two weeks during term times. Somerville Music Society will contact you by email once a decision has been made.
The Steinway grand piano in the Chapel is considerably more valuable than our other pianos and needs to be treated with great care. It is also under very high demand throughout the term, as is the Chapel. For these reasons, access to the Steinway is only granted to experienced pianists who satisfactorily explain why their anticipated piano usage requires this particular instrument.
Typically, access to the locked Bluthner grand piano in Park Music Room is granted to all who apply. There are also several other pianos available for various uses, most of which are not locked and do not require bookings to access, as outlined below.
Somerville Piano Directory
| Venue | Instrument | Hours of Access | How to Book | Is Booking Required? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chapel | Steinway Model B Grand Piano | All hours (can be booked for max. two hours per session and two hours per day by any one player) | Book the chapel via Outlook as instructed here. Each individual booking slot is limited to 2 hours, and each student can only book the Chapel piano for up to a total of 2 hours per day (this can be divided into two 1 hour sessions, for example). Those on the approved list can retrieve the piano key from the Lodge. Only approved users may book this instrument. | No. Bookings are not necessary to use the piano i.e. it can be used whenever the Chapel has not been booked or is not already occupied. If you are practising without a booking, you must vacate the Chapel on the arrival of those who have. To ensure the piano is not monopolised, you can only book it – guaranteeing access – for up to two hours per day. |
| Park Music Room | Bluthner Grand piano | Between 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM (2 hours max.) | Book the Park Music Room on Outlook as instructed here. Once booked, keys are retrieved from the Lodge. | Yes - booking is necessary to access this room and this piano. |
| Brittain-Williams Room (Flora Anderson Hall) | Bechstein Model C Grand piano | Weekdays: 17.30-22.00 Weekends: 8.00-22.00 | This room and pianos cannot be booked and reserved for practice. | No - but if you are practising here, you must vacate for meetings, official events, meal services, and all other bookings. |
| New Council Room | Upright piano | 8.00-22.00 | This room and pianos cannot be booked and reserved for practice. | No - but if you are practising here, you must vacate for meetings, official events, meal services, and all other bookings. |
| Dining Hall | Estonia Grand piano | Outside of meal services | This room and pianos cannot be booked and reserved for practice. | No - but if you are practising here, you must vacate for meetings, official events, meal services, and all other bookings. |
| Chapel | Electronic piano | All Hours (2 hours max.) | Book the chapel via Outlook as instructed here. Each individual booking slot is limited to 2 hours, and each student can only book the Chapel piano for up to a total of 2 hours per day (this can be divided into two 1 hour sessions, for example). | No. Bookings are not necessary to use the piano i.e. it can be used whenever the Chapel has not been booked or is not already occupied. If you are practising without a booking, you must vacate the Chapel on the arrival of those who have. To ensure the piano is not monopolised, you can only book it – guaranteeing access – for up to two hours per day. |
| Mary Somerville Room | Grand piano | Weekdays: 17.30-22.00 Weekends: 8.00-22.00 | This piano can only be used by members of Somerville’s Senior Common Room, and the room cannot be booked for practice. | If you are practising here, you must vacate for meetings, official events, meal services, and all other bookings. |
Guidelines for using the Chapel Steinway
The Steinway Model B in the Chapel is the most valuable and fragile of the college pianos, and therefore must be looked after by following the guidelines below. Access to the instrument, along with any other ‘approved users only’ pianos could be revoked if you fail to adhere to these requirements:
- The protective black rug underneath the piano must remain under the piano (i.e. with all of the wheels on the rug) at all times. This purpose-made rug (sourced at great expense, and with great effort) is essential to ensure that the instrument is not affected or damaged by the underfloor heating. The simplest way to ensure this is the case is to not move the piano unless for public performance, and even then, the rug must be placed first, and then the piano moved onto it.
- The only lock that needs to be used is that for the keyboard cover clamp, on the left side of the keyboard. You only need the key to unlock the mechanism. To lock it, simply push the cylindrical lock back into the clamp. If you are the first person to use the piano after it has been tuned, you may find that the tuner has locked the lid as well. If so, please go to the lodge and ask for the large Steinway key, and unlock the instrument, but please do not lock the lid when you finish practising.
- If you remove the cover when playing (recommended), then please fully replace it afterwards.
- Please do not use an eraser on the music stand of the piano, or the erasings will get into the keyboard and cause issues. The same should be said for leaving bod cards/pencils/etc. on the piano. If things end up inside the piano, it requires a technician to visit to retrieve them, as the design of all Steinways means you can’t easily remove the keyboard lid. This could result in having your ‘approved user’ status revoked, and you may also be charged the expensive cost of retrieving your lost item. There is a table nearby upon which you can lean to make/erase markings, and where your personal items should be placed.