Music Library Improved

A message from Dr. Janet Hammock, Professor Emeritus of Music at Mount A

Near the end of the last “Sonic Explorations” course I taught at Mount Allison prior to my retirement in 2001, several students drew to the attention of the class that the wooden chairs in the Music Library made terribly loud, unpleasant, screeching noises when they were moved on the floor.

During the course the students had become much more aware of their sonic environment, and they found this noise very disturbing as they tried to study. Since the academic year was almost over, it was impractical to suggest that the students take this on as a class project, so I assured them that I would draw it to the attention of the Music Librarian.

Unfortunately, perhaps due to the flurry of retirement celebrations, I forgot to do this.

Years passed.


On November 15, 2007, although I have been retired for six years, this e-mail arrived quite unexpectedly in my inbox:

The R. P. Bell Library Receives a Further Installment of New Chairs One-hundred new chairs are being delivered to the R. P. Bell Library on Thursday, November 15th. These chairs represent the second installment of three that will replace all old and dilapidated chairs.

The new chairs conform to the model and specifications that the SAC and the student body selected two years ago when the first installment of 200 chairs were received.

Thank-you,
Bruno Gnassi
University Librarian


His e-mail announcement reminded of the promise I had made to my students in the “Sonic Explorations” course so many years ago! I immediately wrote to the University Librarian:

Dear Bruno:

I am delighted to see that new chairs are coming! Will they also be in the Music Library? If not, may I suggest that a small, inexpensive improvement be undertaken on the present Music Library chairs?

When they are moved on the floor they make the most horrendous, disruptive, loud, screeching sounds!

These sounds can be completely eliminated by the addition of soft material pads to the bottoms of each chair leg. This would result in a much quieter study atmosphere in the Music Library.

Thanks for your attention to this matter, Bruno. I am forwarding my e-mail to the Music Librarian, Peter Higham.

I have been meaning to mention this to my friend Peter for many years and keep forgetting! Better late than never!


Imagine my surprise when I received this e-mail on March 18, 2008 from Peter Higham, the Music Librarian:

Janet,

Though I had not replied, I had not forgotten about your suggestion from months ago. Felts are now being applied to most of the wooden chair legs in the Music Library.

Though I hadn't thought it would be practical or effective, I am convinced it is a nice little improvement to the Music Library.

Thank you for your suggestion.
Peter


I think my former "Sonic Explorations" students would be gratified to know that their excellent suggestion, made so long ago, has finally come to fruition. As a result of their "deep listening" the sonic environment of the Music Library has been vastly improved.