Aug. 6--Comparing a digital keyboard to any model of Steinway piano is kind of like comparing a burlap sack to a Louis Vuitton suitcase.

A Steinway -- like the one renovated by Chambersburg Area School District -- is a highly refined musical instrument, with legendary action, volume and tone. There's a reason they're called grand pianos.

But much like the burlap sack, a digital keyboard and an amplifier will serve their purpose for a tiny fraction of the cost of a new, $118,000 Steinway.

That purpose, within this context, is to accompany CASHS Glee Club and school musical events in which students -- and not any single musical instrument -- are supposed to be the starring players.

CASHS acquired the Steinway in 1955 for $8,000. Its top-to-bottom restoration cost $56,000. Most of the money came from private fundraising, but the school district also chipped in $20,000.

The project started in April 2007, before the economy crashed. But it ended in a year in which many taxpayers came to resent any expenditure of public money, even those of far greater value to the public than an amazing school piano.

Furthermore, the CASHS Steinway cannot even be returned to the school until renovations to the school auditorium are completed in 2011.

We're not saying it should have been abandoned, dragged to the curb during Bulky Item week. As a relatively rare and superlative instrument, it certainly deserves a new life and a chance to serve the school for another 50 years.

We simply see no burning need for this project to have been done at this time.

-- By Matthew Major, on behalf of Public Opinion's editorial board

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Copyright (c) 2009, Public Opinion, Chambersburg, Pa.

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