The relationship between William and Mary and the Piano and Organ Outlet in Lightfoot is much like a musical harmony. In collaboration, the two entities produce something that is more pleasing and more effective than what can be accomplished alone.

Every fall for the past five years, the Piano Outlet has loaned the music department approximately 25 brand-new Yamaha acoustic and digital pianos for use during the school year. Then in the spring, the Piano Outlet sells the loaned instruments to the public at a discounted price. This annual gift has virtually transformed the College's piano program, enhancing the academic experiences of both music students and faculty. "We could never afford the quality and volume of pianos that the Piano Outlet provides," said Christine Niehaus, music lecturer and coordinator of applied music. "After five years it still boggles my mind that it's worth it to them to donate the pianos to us and then sell them used. It's a tremendous gift because it means that our students are learning on new instruments that are in perfect condition."

Held each May in Ewell Hall, the piano sale has become an anticipated community affair and is the Piano Outlet's biggest sales event. The pianos sell quickly.

"Eighty percent of the sales are to faculty and alumni," said Piano Outlet general manager Philip Crockett, whose wife Elizabeth Simmons Crockett, received a master's degree in education from the College in 1993. "A lot of students come back just to buy a piano. It's a fun experience for them and they are proud to buy a piano here, knowing they're helping their alma mater."

The loan program with the College allows Crockett to offer to the community pianos in a wide price range. In addition to the very expensive instruments loaned to the College, Crockett brings in more moderately priced pianos. "Not everyone can afford a $30,000 piano," he said. "At the annual sale, we have pianos that start at $800. We want to be able to sell pianos that are affordable to a broad range of people."

Crockett admits he felt a twinge of panic as the first sale approached in 1994. "The fear was after the loan period, if people didn't purchase the pianos, I'd have a half-million-dollars' worth of pianos on my hands and wouldn't be able to continue the loan program," he said. "Luckily, that's never happened. The first year was great and since then sales have increased every year but one." And all but one piano has been returned in the condition it was received.

"I wasn't worried about students hurting the instruments," said Crockett. "Pianos are built to last 100 years. It's an investment that increases in value, averaging about 8 percent a year." Crockett's generous investment in the College produces tremendous returns for students. The music department can put more pianos in practice rooms and music labs, and an additional piano in the Recital Hall allows for dynamic two-piano concerts. The volume of instruments allows the College to provide precisely the right piano for each musical pursuit.

"In the jazz survey course, the music just sounds better on a grand than an upright," said Niehaus. "In the choir rooms, an upright makes it difficult for the pianist to see over the top to observe the singers. A grand solves that problem."

The Piano Outlet also makes available a Yamaha Disklavier-a phenomenal and expensive piano that was previously out of the College's reach. Equipped with a built-in computer, the Disklavier offers everything from the sounds of 470 instruments to digital recording capabilities. Another feature plays back a piece of music, with the keys moving up and down like a player piano. "You're essentially giving yourself a lesson," said Niehaus. "You can see how your fingers pressed the keys, how you played. The Disklavier has 80 pieces of information on each key. It's an incredible instrument for our students and faculty."

The Piano Outlet's gift has also made a huge difference in how beginning students learn to play. A lab equipped with a dozen pianos combines a hands-on classroom environment with individual instruction. "It's wonderful for beginning students because they benefit from three hours a week with me in the lab, as opposed to just one hour-long lesson," said Niehaus. "If we had to buy the pianos for the lab, we simply couldn't provide this learning environment for our students."

by Amy Ruth