The Decomposing Piano is a semi-permanent outdoor installation that explores the effects of the Northern Ontario climate on an upright piano at its location at the NAISA North Media Arts Centre in South River, Ontario, Canada. This is inspired by musical explorations in Australia of performing on – and of collecting – ‘ruined’ pianos – pianos left outside in the natural environment for an extended period of time (see https://bolleter.wixsite.com/warpsmusic for further insights).
The Decomposing Piano at NAISA was installed in December 2022 at a point where the upright piano was still playable despite some tuning deficiencies. As time goes on it is expected to become more and more difficult to play. However, in the gradual “decomposition” or “weathering” of the piano over time, new sounds should emerge – some of which might require increasing amounts of aid from recording and amplification to be experienced. Through its entire decomposition process, the public is invited to play the piano at NAISA and experience its transformation until it is deemed unsafe to play. The NAISATube YouTube Channel features a 24/7 webcam of the Decomposing Piano.
Summer 2026 Piano Jams
An interesting way to learn about improvisation is to play an instrument that is always changing.People of all ages and abilities are welcome to join NAISA Executive Director Nadene Thériault-Copeland in the discovery process on August 9 and September 13, 2026 from 1 to 3 pm. FREE Admission.
Decomposing Piano Media Archive
Here are past performances, improvisations and audio recording projects that have featured the Decomposing Piano.
2026 Art’s Birthday Indoor/Outdoor Jam
Improvisation for Art’s Birthday on January 17, 2026 at NAISA North Media Arts Centre with performers in both indoor and outdoor locations. Nadene Thériault-Copeland performed outdoors on the Decomposing Piano while audience members Ian and Sue Franklin created sounds with instruments and devices they brought with them and also by using the electromagnetic instrument created by Anju Singh for her installation Material Transmissions.
2024 Art’s Birthday Weathered Piano Exchange
For Art’s Birthday on January 17, 2024 NAISA presented The Art’s Birthday Weathered Piano Exchange which was a collaboration with pianist and composer Jesse Budel. Jesse Budel made recordings of a weathering piano at the Murray Bridge Piano Sanctuary in South Australia and in response Nadene Thériault-Copeland made recordings at the Decomposing Piano at NAISA. Following Nadene’s recordings, Jesse made another in response and then Nadene in response to that one. The result of this winter and summer weathering piano exchange aired on the radio show Electric Sense on CIUT Radio and during a special Art’s Birthday broadcast on CITR in Vancouver called 24 Hours of Radio Art. Later artists issued the recordings individually and in combination on an album on Bandcamp.
Summer 2023 Fundraising Concerts
In the summer of 2023 NAISA’s Executive Director Nadene Thériault-Copeland hosted a series of fundraising concerts with invited guest performers to join her on the Decomposing Piano. Audience members were also invited to perform during the interval breaks.
August 26, 2023 – Decomposing Piano and Violin Concert
July 29, 2023 – Decomposing Piano Performances with Julia Breckenridge and Nadene Thériault-Copeland
June 24, 2023 – Duet for Decomposing Piano and ‘Crutch’
June 24, 2023 – Solo Decomposing Piano Performance by Nadene Thériault-Copeland
Solo Improvisatons and Demonstrations
These video performances demonstrate the piano at various states of weathering which transform the tuning and keyboard action of the piano, particularly during the winter season.
January 22 2023 – Only 15-20 keys working
January 17, 2023 – Piano Improvisation for NAISA North Re-Opening Party
December 29, 2022 – Three Weeks after being Outdoors
January 17, 2024 – Playing during a snow storm – a little more than one year of the piano being outdoors
January 17, 2025 – improv for Art’s Birthday after 25 months of the piano being outdoors