My sympathies are entirely with Klara Woldenga and Jordan Peltier for having to endure listening to a public piano, whether they want to or not.
Any sound, when unwanted, becomes noise, so that these two people are at the mercy of noise at a time when they probably would like to relax in peace after a day’s work, and are unable to get away from it unless they leave their home.
It is particularly unfortunate that they are forced to close windows during hot weather.
We do not pay sufficient attention to the physiological and psychological effects of noise – though these are well-known through the use of music during the terrible days of the Nazi regime in Germany, which was used with devastating effect. Music as noise can become torture.
I believe the notion of public pianos is one of the most ill-conceived by the municipality of Oak Bay, and would suggest that those who positively support the piano notion (according to Chris Hyde-Lay of Oak Bay Parks) request a piano to be installed outside their home.
A public piano may be OK somewhere like an enormous European square (where you can get away from it) but not where there is a captive and unwilling audience – and for two whole months no less – agony indeed!
H. M. McLelland
Oak Bay