Senseless Vandalism
I just don’t understand senseless vandalism. Of course, I suppose that that’s why it’s senseless, at least in my opinion. But I really disturbed, upset and angry in response to news that I just received.
Destroyed Marimba (click for more info)
Some of you may know that I went to Ithaca College where I studied Sound for Live Audiences — an interdisciplinary self designed program combining classes in the theater, music and communications departments and schools. Most of my college friends are musicians and many were music majors. Between my own study, and having so many musician friends I spent a tremendous amount of time in the music school building, at the time called Ford Hall. When I graduated a major expansion of the music school had just begun, expanded and renovated facility is now called the Whalen Center for Music.
I just received an e-mail from a fellow alum to spread the word about something that happened last night. In many ways, the practice rooms are the heart of any serious music school. There were most of the real work takes place, and in Ithaca I remember them being remarkably busy almost any time of the day. Apparently late last night a massive act of vandalism took place on the first floor of the Whalen Center. Something like 60 pianos and a variety of percussion instruments were vandalized. The latest information that I’ve seen here suggests that the majority of the damage is cosmetic, so things are not as bad as they could have been. Then again I just can’t imagine why anyone would do something like this particularly at the end of the semester just before finals and juries, and many music students are practicing harder than they have at any other time during the semester. What a waste.
