It’s been since 2018 since piano notes twinkled from alleyways, gardens and front lawns during BeaconArts’ city-wide installation, “Keys To The City,” a fiscally sponsored project of BeaconArts. The interactive installation is going to happen again in the Fall of 2023, and they need volunteers to help make it happen.

To refresh our memories, “Keys to To The City” is a collection of decorated pianos placed in outdoor spaces throughout the city. People can sit and play at them whenever the mood inspires them.

Writer Izdihar Dabashi captured the mood in the fall of 2018. The last time the pianos were played, she wrote: “Auburn leaves danced in the wind, wisps of hair and tangles of scarves flit about in the cool weather. Softly, Adele’s voice weaves into the moment creating an ambiance that is undoubtedly autumn in New York. As if singing ‘Hello’ to myself isn’t dramatic enough, the universe seems to encourage my bout of melodrama, as evidenced by the several pianos adorning Main Street. I was tempted to ignore the peculiar sights and continue to sonder, but the tinkling sounds of the pianos rang through the air and lured me to their sights.” Read her full article here, and see pictures of the pianos past.

BeaconArts has put out the call for volunteers. They are looking for volunteers to help with project management and piano logistics. People who are interested are instructed to contact Ian Murdoch here.

People with a variety of skills who want to install and monitor pianos during their weeks on display are encouraged to inquire. Even if you are not super technically handy, there might be something you can do, if this is a volunteer opportunity that matches your desires.