History - Square Edge

Early Days (1984-1989)

In October of 1984 the future of Square Edge for the newly formed Musica Viva appeared secure for the next two years, with a review at five years.

Some initial problems in settling into the new environment need to be overcome. In August of 1985 a complaint was made about the lack of chairs and tables to be taken to Square Edge. By October the chandeliers in the Evelyn Rawlins room had been lowered and the lighting was deemed to be satisfactory (although this was subsequently reconsidered).

There were ongoing discussions with Square Edge management over the security of the piano and the management of the hireage of the instrument. See History - Pianos for a history of the Musica Viva pianos, including the ongoing security problems. In October of 1986 Square Edge announced a 10% rent increase due to the introduction of GST.

By the middle of 1987, despite some measures having been taken to improve the lighting in the Evelyn Rawlins Room it continued to be an issue for performers in particular. Shortly after the room came into general use as a performing venue two high powered lamps were installed on the ceiling along the central axis of the room. While this significantly improved the lighting it was still not sufficient at night and shadows were noticeable around the edges of the room.

The committee approached the Evelyn Rawlins Trust in September of 1987 to discuss extra lighting, re-wiring of the lights and removal of the wall just inside the entrance. An initial lighting report proposed that two more lights be installed on the beam axis of the room where there was presently only one, but spaced so that each was one third the distance across the width. A plan was enclosed. Wix Electrical quoted $483.30 for each lamp including bulb plus $250 installation.

The secretary was to contact Square Edge regarding their involvement in upgrading the lighting. Initial negotiations had been with Lumen Design but in February of 1988 a specific approach to Wix Electrical was made. They proposed that two more large gas lights be added, the two existing lights to be moved so that four lights be located at the corners of the room, and drop lighting in the ceiling act to as flood lights on the piano. All lights were to be on separate circuits and the drop lighting was to have a dimmer. A grant of $400 or more was to be sought from the Evelyn Rawlins Trust to be put towards the lighting costs and costs would be shared with the Manawatu Youth Orchestra.

Early in 1988 the extra lighting appeared in the Evelyn Rawlins without warning. The total cost was $1,687.96 less an Evelyn Rawlins Trust grant of $446, which left $1,241.96 to be found. Square Edge was likely to contribute $650 and the remainder was to be split between Musica Viva (25%) and the Manawatu Youth Orchestra (75%). The Musica Viva contribution was to be $141 or $155 depending on Square Edge contribution. The calculation was based on a percentage use of the room. As it happened, the final account was more than the estimated cost. The revised breakdown of allocation of extra cost was Square Edge $720.98, the Manawatu Youth Orchestra $515.74, and Musica Viva $205.24.

In mid August Square Edge undertook total responsibility for the staging modules, including repair and maintenance, subject to the permission of the Committee and it undertook to oversee any removal of the modules by outside groups. It was agreed that ownership remained with Musica Viva.

Troubled Times (1990-1999)

By 1990 problems with the piano hire arrangement with Square Edge were becoming significant. The difficulty of reconciling actual third-party piano hire vs. amount paid to Musica Viva vs. amount agreed to be paid to Musia Viva was becoming a constant challenge which was to last for many years to come. The received piano hire income for that year was $1000, while the expenditure on the instrument was $620. In addition there was a rent increase of 13%. It appeared that Square Edge was collecting 50% of the $6.75 hourly charge (including GST) which had earlier been negotiated as to be paid in full to Musica Viva.

A meeting was held with Square Edge Management to look into the question of piano rental conditions, to renegotiate rental, to ask for the carpet to be cleaned, and for the plaster to be repaired. The meeting was not an easy one, and while some progress was made it appeared that security for the piano could not be guaranteed. A Musica Viva subcommittee was set up to look into an alternative venue. In an effort to tighten piano security the secretary was to purchase a new padlock and keys.

In November of 1991 the issue of piano security again arose when damage was done to the piano. In April of 1992 Guy moved that the piano lid remain locked in the manner recommended and this was carried. Guy reported that Square Edge personnel would not take responsibility for tightening of security of the ER room. Square Edge was to be written to about upgrading of the venue, stage strengthening, air temperature and humidity control, as well as security and staffing levels. There was also a challenge related to a slow but steady leakage of chairs from the room.

In May concern was expressed about the number of people who had keys to the piano. Jannit Aitcheson was offered a retainer for checking the piano every night. A meeting was held on Friday the 12th June with Square Edge management (along with a representative of the Registered Music Teachers Institute). Suggestions to address the security problems included the purchase a surveillance camera or a card access system. As a result the Musica Viva committee resolved to approach the Evelyn Rawlins Trust for half the cost of a camera, and laminated warning signs regarding use and care of the piano were to be made.

In July of 1992 deliberate damage was done to the piano by someone forcing the locked lid of the piano. Concerns related to the Square Edge location were now significant. Costs for caretaking, repairs, and insurance on the piano were increasing, but there was no correponding revenue. A large number of keys were now circulating for the room and the piano, and Square Edge staff at the office were often too busy to be able to hand out the keys and attend to hireage of the piano.

It was decided in August by the committee that the responsibility of keys used after hours was to be that of the teacher who must make the booking, pay the dues and be present at the rehearsals. Keys were to be numbered and a record kept of users and purpose of use of the piano along with the date and time. Only tagged keys to be used.

At the same time a letter was received from the Palmerston North Arts Council turning down our application for funding of a security camera. Although we were subsequently granted $1000 from the equipment fund of the Central Regional Arts Council it was generally felt that purchasing such an item might be a complex and expensive move and it was decided to put the idea on hold. Other alternatives that were suggested included a self-closing door, and a limited number of uncopiable keys. A new lock and uncopiable keys was estimated to cost $160 for a change of tumbler to the present lock, labour and 20 security keys. Square Edge was willing to pay half, and they also offered to arrange for the installation of and payment for a spring to make the door self-closing.

In the meantime arrangements were proceeding for Square Edge to redecor ate the Evelyn Rawlins Room. It has been rumoured that there were plans to paint it a peach colour. It was known, however, that it was Evelyn Rawlins’ wish that the room be blue. President Wendy Hunt contacted Square Edge and was able to report that the room was to be decorated in shades of peach, blue and grey.

Just when it appeared that there might be some stability in the hiring structures for the use of the Evelyn Rawlins Room and the Musica Viva piano, a realisation was made in the Musica Viva Committee that Musica Viva was paying the same rates to Square Edge for the use of the room and its own piano as was any other musical organisation. Part of that fee was being then paid to Square Edge as a piano hire component. It appeared that we were paying Square Edge for the hire of our own piano!

An attempt to obtain a reduction in rental rates from Square Edge was not successful. The only solution acceptable to Square Edge was for Musica Viva to raise its charge-out rates. As a consequence, Musica Viva drafted a new set of charges. Half of what was charged would revert to Musica Viva, and half would be retained by Square Edge for the hire of the room.

The new rates were: Individual $10 per hour, Per session (morning, afternoon or evening) $30, Whole day $90, Profit making concerts $100, Examination sessions per day $50.

The Musica Viva committee actively considered alternate venues late in 1994. Guy undertook to investigate the Salvation Army Citadel as an alternative location for its piano and for the concerts. Initial discussions with Salvation Army personnel indicated some interest in the proposal. Singers on the committee, however, expressed some concern that the Citadel was not ideal for singers, especially younger ones, and those with lighter voices. It was decided not to take any precipitate action.

Ongoing negotiations continued with Square Edge management in relation to disagreements on actual usage vs. payments received for third-party hireage for concerts and other purposes. A meeting in May 1995 reached a compromise in back-payments.

However, the relationship between Musica Viva and Square Edge continued to deteriorate over this period. There was a discovered problem over GST charges (which Square Edge had incorrectly been charging to Musica Viva), as well as a perception by Musica Viva that they were paying more than other users. A specific incident relating to poorly organized public notification of the new hireage rates brought things to boiling point.

The relationship was on the verge of collapse when in July 1996 a private meeting of the key leadership figures from Musica Viva and Square Edge managed to achieve a rapprochement. Seeming miracles were achieved. Missing stage clamps were located, Musica Viva was given extra set-up time for no extra charge, more chairs were acquired and maintenance terms were agreed. Security arrangements for the piano were improved (for a small additional payment, Square Edge would formally check the piano on a daily basis during peak use times). Piano hireage rates were clarified.

Things improved rapidly. At the beginning of 1997 Musica Viva mounted a mirror (a gift from one of its members) in the foyer of the Evelyn Rawlins Room as a gift to Square Edge. In early 1997(?) news was emerging that the Council was considering selling Square Edge and a decision was to be made the following May. The Musica Viva committee voted to donate $100 to the Square Edge rescue fund. The relationship had been recoved from the brink of collapse.

Perhaps the biggest of the positive changes to occur at this time was an agreement that the charge to Musica Viva for Evelyn Rawlins Room hireage would be 50% of the standard rate for groups hiring the MV Grotrian Piano. Musica Viva was no longer paying to use its own piano.

Note: The administrative challenges associated with maintaining accurate accounting of (and receiving timely payment for) the 50/50 third-party piano hireage revenues did continue to be a niggling problem over the following years, especially during major staffing changes (e.g. the departure from Square Edge of Robyn Winter in June 2000, and a Square Edge computer malfunction in early 2001).

In May of 1999 there was a sudden deterioration in the state of the chairs in the Evelyn Rawlins Room.

Hirage rates were increased as of October 1999: Room only $15 + GST ph or $45 +GST per session (am, pm, or evening). Performances $20 +GST ph or $60 +GST per session. Exams or Competitions $60 +GST per session. Piano Practice only $10 ph.

As of beginning of 2000, Musica Viva would be paying $618.75 per year for 11 recitals per annum.

Sue Kennard has given a large palm to the Society for the stage (July 2000).

A new warm-up room was assigned to the Club - Room 111. The club had previously used other small, spare rooms along the front of the building. (Note that with the increased popularity of Square Edge as a music and arts venue, there are no free rooms as of this time, and the kitchen is currently used for warm-ups).

Square Edge Under Threat

In August of 2001 Gaye from Musica Viva attended a workshop on the future of Square Edge. The PNCC generally supported the Arts Centre, but two councillors did not want it in the present building. Square Edge is in a prime Real Estate position and they would like it sold. The building was also badly in need of maintenance. In the new year of 2002 the threats to Square Edge were still palpable. A questionnaire was published in The Tribune and Guardian concerning public views and use of the facility. By September of 2002, the PNCC had not taken any actions, and the immediate threat seemed to have passed.

…to be continued.