This is the first installment in a three-part series that will focus on student musicians at MU.

Students who wish to play piano on campus have a difficult time finding an ideal instrument or location, and plans are in the works to find a solution.

Joe Farinella, a senior in the College of Engineering, said he practices piano often, and has a difficult time finding a place to play on campus.

"If you're not in a dorm on this campus, you're almost between a rock and a hard place," Farinella said.

Farinella said most of the pianos on campus are out of tune or in bad condition. He said he requests to play the piano in the Henke Lounge, located on the second floor of the Alumni Memorial Union, when there are no events occurring in the Lunda Room next door, or he asks someone to let him into the Varsity Theatre to use the piano there.

Erik Janners, director of music, said there is definitely a need for more pianos on campus and plans are in the works to find more space for them.

John Pauly, dean of the College of Communication, said he is working with Janners and administrators to explore possibilities and negotiate details for a new practice space.

He said zoning and ventilation issues may prevent an idea to put practice rooms in the basement of the Varsity from coming to fruition, but administrators are exploring other options.

Janners said there are currently pianos in Cobeen Hall, Carpenter Tower, Straz Hall, Campus Ministry, Varsity Theatre, Henke Lounge and Marquette Hall available for student use when they are not reserved.

"What we need is a designated place where (students) can practice," Janners said.

Samantha Toigo, a junior in the College of Business Administration, said she has been playing piano for 15 years, and currently takes private lessons at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. She said finding a piano to use on campus is frustrating because they are often in use or out of tune.

"If you talk to the right people, your opportunities open up, but there's still not a lot to work with," Toigo said.

She said she has been working with the Rev. Andy Thon, vice president of University Ministry, to find a solution, and the issue isn't finding pianos, but a space in which to put them.

"We need to get pianos in a place that isn't always in use like Henke is," Toigo said. "I question Marquette's commitment to music if we have no place to put it."

Toigo said improving the music program and musical options on campus could improve recruitment and admissions.

Jimmy Schott, a junior in the College of Business Administration, said he enjoys singing and playing piano in his spare time but has trouble finding a place to practice outside of Liturgical Choir practices.

"It would be nice to have some practice space to play and practice on your own," Schott said. "Even for fun to just play and stuff, it would be a lot more convenient for me."

Schott said because Marquette's mission statement advocates caring for the whole person, Marquette should help students interested in music cultivate that interest.

Pauly said the university is aware of student concerns and is still looking for a location for more pianos.

"It's on my radar and it's something I would like to do in the next year or two," Pauly said. "We're trying to support student interest in music and encourage it."

Earlier this month, the College of Communication announced the creation of a new music minor.