[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/pianosale.jpg”]Looking for a deal on a good piano?

Well, you might find one in Togo Salmon Hall today, tomorrow and Sunday. And, with any luck, you may just go home with one that was played by a future Mozart.

Seven pianos that were used in practice rooms by McMaster music students this year are among the 60 pianos that are being sold as part of the McMaster University Piano Sale.

The sale is being conducted by the School of the Arts in association with Kawai Canada Music Inc., piano supplier for the University, and Merriam School of Music, an Oakville retailer.

Kawai provides new pianos yearly at no cost to 400 universities and colleges, including McMaster, as part of the company's institutional program. Kawai began the program some 20 years ago when many institutions were facing funding cuts in the arts.

“Under this program we provide the Faculties with new instruments every year and we sell the loaned instruments at the end of each year,” says Robin Rooke, Kawai sales manager for Eastern Canada. It's a win situation for everyone, he adds. The University gets brand-new Kawai pianos yearly, the company gets its name known and can recoup some of its costs, the local retailer is able to sell the pianos at a lower price than in the store, and the customer sees a large selection of pianos, all at a lower price than they would be in the store.

The condition and prices of the pianos that are for sale vary — new, old and used (some less than a year), they range from $1,400 for a basic keyboard-style instrument to $23,000 for a baby grand. Other makes of pianos such as Yamaha, Samick and Chickering are also on site for purchasing. Delivery, servicing and warranty are provided by Merriam.

The sale began yesterday in TSH-118 and will continue through Sunday.

Rooke says about 12 pianos were sold on opening day (Thursday, May 25). Viewing today(Friday)is by appointment only; the sale is open to the public on Saturday (10-6) and Sunday (11-5). (Faculty and staff were given an opportunity to preview the pianos before the sale began).

Music Makers: Alex Walker of the Merriam School of Music is surrounded by the ebony and ivory of 60 pianos currently for sale in Togo Salmon Hall.

Photo: Kelly Curwin