MIT students drop a piano from University roof, but not while moving it, but as part of a tradition. The Baker House Piano Drop is a tradition that started nearly half a century back, and its still going strong.
Students at the one of the United States’ top universities drop a piano off the roof of their dormitory building for what has become a 46-year tradition. The tradition, which started in 1972, was observed sporadically until 2006, after which it become an annual event.
If you’re a music lover and thinking that this is awful, those are actually broken pianos that are donated by people who’re eager to get the unwanted instrument taken away for free. Also, in recent years, students have been using the event as a fundraising opportunity for non-profit educational organizations.
There have been no injuries till date from the falling pianos, as adequate precautions are taken. And the pianos are now launched off a ramp, instead of just throwing it off.
The maiden piano drop (in 1972) was the brainchild of Charlie Bruno. According to a post made in Baker House – The Historical Collection by Mark Fischler, a participant in the inaugural piano drop, the idea was born from a house meeting where they were discussing what to do with a broken piano that was just lying around. One suggestion that came forth was they push the piano out of a window, but the Student handbook guidelines prohibited throwing objects out of dorm windows. However, Bruno pointed out that the handbook said nothing about throwing things off of dorm roofs. Handbooks were consulted, and the students agreed with Bruno’s observation. A motion was passed, and after some planning and prep work, the piano was dropped.
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After the piano crashes on the ground, students rush to pick up the broken pieces as memorabilia.
Here’s the video where an upright piano falls six-storeys, smashing onto a second piano positioned below. Other items are sometimes placed below for a more resounding impact, such as the second piano this year.
Onlookers appeared to enjoy the spectacle and happily collect keys, hammers, strings and splinters to keep as souvenir pieces.
What next? Probably dropping a full-scale grand piano, instead of an upright?
What do you guys think about this ritual?
Also Read: Composer sets piano on fire as part of festival
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