Church pianos/availability

[chopin2015]

So, there is this nice old church in the neighborhood and they have had a yamaha baby grand donated to them. I have been able to go play on it once in a while(seriously not that often, but I had to walk on eggshells!). I tried to get permission and emailed the pastor multiple times but she just ignored me but I arranged it over the phone with the music director. Then when she saw me at the piano she got mad because she didn't want to talk to me! Later they put a lock on the piano (they told me they planned to) but I found where they hid the key. It felt so dirty and wrong! Today one of the people who gave me permission to use the piano told me that I need to have a note from the pastor because the piano is not supposed to be played by anyone! So, what is a piano for?

Is it worth the trouble? They made me feel bad and naughty for playing piano! This happened at another church before, too! Where they did not want me to play their piano, even though no one else did and it was in a small town. Why were these folks so stingy and uptight? Shouldn't they be kind and helping in a genuine way like I want to be and like I want all people to be? I am not saying they should be kind to a point where they are disposable, but I am not asking them for money! They don't even pay tax! I DO! How can one person that is uptight and grumpy speak for the whole community like that? I have never been treated as poorly as I was at this church! How can this be and why?  Has anyone had experience like this? At church or at another place?

 

They hurt my feeling and my connection to music by denying me something I would liked to have been trusted with! It really hurt because after having a little bit of privelege, it was taken away as if I was not good enough pianist...egocentric, I know, I am sorry it seems that way.

Thanks, all!

[hfmadopter]

They probably want their piano for their services, not really for you to practice on. We know the costs associated with maintaining a grand piano right ? I don't imagine you are donating to that maintenance or offering your services to the church in the form of playing the piano in association with their services. Not that that would matter, they may have a pianist or may not but it is their piano not yours in the end and the Pastor is the boss in the church.

[chopin2015]

I wouldn't mind paying for a tuning in exchange for getting to play on the piano a couple times...I am moving away anyways, so it's not like I am trying to practice on it every day or even every weekend! The pastor could have been nice and responded to me! Can you see what I am getting at? I was treated like crap! I am not an kid and I know how to treat a piano. I'm not gonna vandalize it or scratch it, even!

[hfmadopter]

I wouldn't mind paying for a tuning in exchange for getting to play on the piano a couple times...I am moving away anyways, so it's not like I am trying to practice on it every day or even every weekend! The pastor could have been nice and responded to me! Can you see what I am getting at? I was treated like crap! I am not an kid and I know how to treat a piano. I'm not gonna vandalize it or scratch it, even!

Of course I know what you are getting at. Churches are funny organizations is the best I can tell you for now ! Some are friendly some are not, some try to indoctrinate you into the fold and others seem to drive everyone away.

So you own a Chickering Piano, I assume it's in your house. One day someone shows up and asks to play your piano, you say fine. You don't really understand why but ya that is ok. So the person shows up at your house when you are away, you walk in and they are playing your piano. You think, ah well I've had enough and tell them they can't do that any more.  in a few weeks they are playing your piano yet again. Unable to keep the person away, you lock it. They find the key to your Chickering piano and you find them playing it yet again. This time you get firm about it, you get your Dad on the job and he says, get out and don't come back to play Chopin 2015's piano anymore. Are you guys mean ?

[chopin2015]

But I got permission before! They told me they were going to lock it because they keep the church open. No one complained. I even had a mini concert where people applauded me! Today the same person who gave me permission let me stay and play for the last time. He said I need to have a note from the pastor from now on. I don't want him or anyone else to get in trouble. So, I am gonna leave the piano alone. It's too bad. It wants to be played! Oh well.

[chopin2015]

besides, I've given them money before.

[hfmadopter]

But I got permission before! They told me they were going to lock it because they keep the church open. No one complained. I even had a mini concert where people applauded me! Today the same person who gave me permission let me stay and play for the last time. He said I need to have a note from the pastor from now on. I don't want him or anyone else to get in trouble. So, I am gonna leave the piano alone. It's too bad. It wants to be played! Oh well.

Well, like I said the Pastor is boss in a church. This person may even feel bad about this, enjoys your playing etc.  Really churches are for their patrons/membership first. Just another thought. You aren't a member of the church are you ?

[chopin2015]

I'm not actually welcome there! How could I even be a member of a church? They look at me as some kind of convict or something! Besides, I am Christian, not Catholic. Hey, maybe that's why!

[hfmadopter]

I'm not welcome there! How could I even be a member of a church? They look at me as some kind of convict or something! Besides, I am Christian, not Catholic. Hey, maybe that's why!

Catholics are Christians too, they believe of the purest and most direct form. Don't get me started on all of this, I've had a lifetime of it and have come to my own conclusions about it all. I will say this much, you can't come up with enough money to give a Catholic Church to have them change their mind on something. The person who gave them the piano may not be able to play the foolish thing. And that's all I'm going to say on that matter.

Getting back to the piano and that church, there may be a diocese policy on this matter. It may go to a level even above that of the Pastor.

[chopin2015]

So true! I definitely cannot change their mind! I'll never even have the chance to. Oh well. Bye, yamaha! I loved you...

[hfmadopter]

So true! I definitely cannot change their mind! I'll never even have the chance to. Oh well. Bye, yamaha! I loved you...

Hey, am I sensing a Yamaha Grand of your own in your future !?

[iansinclair]

May I add my two cents worth?  I was, as you know if you've been following me for some time, a church organist/minister of music in several different churches over the years.  They have had different practices regarding use of the instruments, and the practices are very much a matter of the individual church organist and, to a lesser extent in most cases, the vestry -- the lay people who set policy for the use of the physical facilities of the church (they are advised by the priest or pastor or minister, and the organist, but they have the final say in most cases -- there are exceptions).

In most cases, the organ is off limits except under the direct supervision of the church organist.  I would not have had it any other way; there are simply too many ways that an organ can get out of whack, and the risk of finding out about it half an hour before a service is simply too great.  That said, I have always been able to use organs in other churches than my own, provided that I have gotten permission from the organist first, scheduled when I wanted to use it (and checked to see that there was nothing else scheduled), and made a suitable contribution for the care of the instrument (often simply being available to play services on request -- funerals, in particular, are hard to predict and schedule for...).  But, of course, I expect that that was because I was also in the business!

My own policy was to give permission for use of the organ if possible, but only after at least one introductory lesson on the instrument, and some discussion of procedure and all.  I have to admit that there have been occasions -- only a very few -- on which I felt it necessary to decline.

Some churches lock the organ.  My last church, of which I am still a member, does not (nor is the chancel locked) and, to date, we have not had difficulties -- but we are a very rural parish.

In the one church I worked for which did have a piano in the chancel, it was available to members of the congregation provided that they arranged for its use with the organist (me, at the time!) and the priest; that was a vestry policy and I believe that it is still the case.  That was, however, in a suburban parish, and in that instance the church itself had to be locked, unfortunately, due to vandalism.  I may say that having to lock the church up made us all very unhappy indeed; it is not what should be.  But a few occasions of arriving to prepare for a service and finding all in disarray...

There is a very difficult balance to be made regarding the use of a piano or an organ in the chancel of a church, particularly one which is open 24/7 as most of mine have been, for personal worship if not for services or service preparation (that is, rehearsing/practicing for the organist and the choir).  It is not the same thing at all as a piano in, say, a school or college auditorium would be.

Just a few thoughts.

[j_menz]

My two cents: It's their piano, they get to choose who gets to play it. I take it you aren't a member of that church, and they aren't in the business of being a music practice room. Get over it.

[chopin2015]

My two cents: It's their piano, they get to choose who gets to play it. I take it you aren't a member of that church, and they aren't in the business of being a music practice room. Get over it.

I hope your piano breaks!

 

[chopin2015]

I am the only other person that has played that piano...I am over the fact that I am not welcome to, and I won't bother them anymore. I used to go to service there and I've given donations but that still does not make me a member there...at all. I'm over that. What I can't get over is the fact that this happens all the time. What about musicians that are traveling and need a piano? I have had cases where the church would let me use the piano in exchange for playing at their service. So...yeah.

[cabbynum]

ive only played at one church, and Im doing recording over there later this week. I am an atheist, i havnt been to a church for religious purposes ever. Thats not a lie. I heard they had an imperial grand bosendorfer. so I called them up, asked to play it. they said sure. What pissed me off about it was that they dont take good care of this instrument. the keys arent level at all. it hasnt been tuned in who knows how long.
but I found that if you politely tell them to fix it they will. so now i will be recording some solo piano works on it thursday.

[j_menz]

I hope your piano breaks!

 

It doesn't respond to hope I'm afraid.

As for travelling musicians, wandering minstrels and other assorted potential piano needers - do you let them in to play yours?

[chopin2015]

It doesn't respond to hope I'm afraid.

As for travelling musicians, wandering minstrels and other assorted potential piano needers - do you let them in to play yours?

I'm just saying. You can see I was already upset. Telling someone to go and get over it is insensitive and plain rude. And it doesn't help my discussion. Hfm already asked how I would respond to someone playing my piano. I don't care if someone wanted to play my yamaha which has a warranty. Especially if they had a tuner who they were going to pay to tune it. So...it's a matter of nice people being compassionate and the other. They didn't just "let me in", my aunt is a important member there so I was family and a honored guest. It was an arrangement. I had an arrangement with this church, too...I live here, I volunteer in town and I am a good citizen of this town, for over 11 years now. The way I was neglected was uncalled for and so was your comment. You live in big Australia. I live in the country, in Texas. Big difference there, I'm afraid.

[j_menz]

I'm just saying. You can see I was already upset. Telling someone to go and get over it is insensitive and plain rude. And it doesn't help my discussion.

I don't do sympathy, I'm afraid. And that appears to be all your "discussion" is after. I did not mean to offend, however. But I still don't see you have any right to expect other people to just let you use their stuff.

You live in big Australia. I live in the country, in Texas. Big difference there, I'm afraid.

We consider Texas a bit small and crowded for our liking, but a lot like us (except the twang, the Bushes and the guns).

[chopin2015]

Sympathy? No. I don't need it. I was talking about uptight church people who do not welcome outsiders, and how it affected me. You wanna talk about Texas being crowded? Don't do it to a Texan. Grr....meh.

 I already feel bad enough with my ego being hurt because they do not want me as a PIANIST there, not to mention what they think about me as a person. Still not looking for sympathy. I just think there is something to be said about elite communities and PEOPLE. I've had more than my share of dealing with it, and I'm starting to sound like I'm on a strike or something!

I received good information from folk who responded with their experience as organists and other's insight. I didn't want to lose the resourse of a nice piano in town. You know? Like it was said earlier, some people even get to go and record at churches! But I do not have that available to me. If you do, jmenz, I doubt Texas is more crowded than where you are at.

[j_menz]

I didn't want to lose the resourse of a nice piano in town. You know? Like it was said earlier, some people even get to go and record at churches! But I do not have that available to me. If you do, jmenz, I doubt Texas is more crowded than where you are at.

But it's not a town resource. It's private property. I'm not arguing that they aren't behaving selfishly, but they are within their rights. That's what private property means.

Incidentally, pop density of Texas is 37.9 people per square kilometre; population density of NSW is 9.1 per square km (Australia overall is 2.9).  That makes Texas about 4 times as crowded as where I am.

[perfect_pitch]

My two cents: It's their piano, they get to choose who gets to play it. I take it you aren't a member of that church, and they aren't in the business of being a music practice room. Get over it.

I hope your piano breaks!

 

No offense Chopin2015... but that was *** rude. From what you describe - it isn't your piano, and the church has no obligation to just let anyone touch it. Granted yes, you were able to play on it in the past, but I'm pretty sure you have a piano at home that you practice on? I saw your Chopin Ballade video posted a couple of weeks back. If you're getting bitchy because you didn't get to play on THEIR Grand piano,then I'm sorry but that's your fault.

J_Menz was simply summarising the facts, most of which you already stated - your response to the summation of those facts was just rude... and childish.

[outin]

I don't do sympathy, I'm afraid.

Of course you don't, you're J_meanz after all

Chopin2015:
Most religious communities are based on the idea of either you belong to us or you go to H...The Eternal Fire or whatever equals that in their belief system. Some are more tolerant to outsiders than others. There may be so many reasons for them not letting you play: It bothers someone working in the church building, they think it will bother the visitors, the idea of expensive piano not being exposed to anyone else than those who work in the church, the minister just being too busy/lazy to consider asnwering you, they are worried you'd play the wrong kind of music, they don't like your tattoos...I guess if you really wanted to play it, the best way would be to arrange a meeting with the person in charge and ask. Which I guess is not worth it since you don't really need that piano?

[chopin2015]

No offense Chopin2015... but that was *** rude. From what you describe - it isn't your piano, and the church has no obligation to just let anyone touch it. Granted yes, you were able to play on it in the past, but I'm pretty sure you have a piano at home that you practice on? I saw your Chopin Ballade video posted a couple of weeks back. If you're getting bitchy because you didn't get to play on THEIR Grand piano,then I'm sorry but that's your fault.

J_Menz was simply summarising the facts, most of which you already stated - your response to the summation of those facts was just rude... and childish.

I was responding to his telling me to get over it. I thought it was rude compared to how other people responded. Please review.

Next: I'm sorry, WHAT?! How is WHAT my fault? Did I do something I am not aware of that you are deciding to include into this convo for the sake of personal entertainment?
I am not just somebody! I was Bill's student years ago and he was totally for me being a part if their community and welcoming. I'm just saying, that pastor is more likely to help a failed person off the streets than me, who is younger and more promising, volunteering, working young woman! I have nothing to prove to you. I did ask for your opinion, so I'll deal with what I get. But you know what, you know who you are and YOU'RE NO DIFFERENT THAN THAT COLD PASTOR. So, I don't have to deal with you.

Again, I'm not a random person of the streets so I had reasons for asking. As for me being rude, I was responding to how I was treated. Oh, you didn't like that? Jmenz already said he doesn't do compassion. So I had a very opposite reaction in rejecting his statement, and yes, I should apologize for responding emotionally and I am very sorry I said that about his piano. Also, I cannot reject what he said about population density per each fact statement. BUT you need to watch where you get off saying what is my fault. You don't have that right and I didn't ask you to JUDGE.

@jmenz

Yes, it is not a town resource. The church is a community, though. A small one. I do a lot of work in that town, for pleasure. I still have much patience in finding something I can be a part of, elsewhere. That is why I do not wish to bother the pastor any longer. But just fyi, I was the only person other than Bill and 1 more adult, who played that piano. They didn't say no, but they wanted me to get a written note from now on, which is impossible because the pastor does not wish to talk to me. Also because yes, they are within their rights to ask me to do so, no matter how ridiculous that may be!

@outin I always dress appropriately, no tattoos visible. Like I said, I do community work that does not involve a contract. I do it on free will. I carry god with me everywhere I go. But...I guess I shouldn't have played mephisto valse there, then...

 

[j_menz]

I am very sorry I said that about his piano.

Don't sweat it. It's had far worse threats. Mostly from me when it doesn't behave.

@jmenz

Yes, it is not a town resource. The church is a community, though. A small one. I do a lot of work in that town, for pleasure. I still have much patience in finding something I can be a part of, elsewhere. That is why I do not wish to bother the pastor any longer. But just fyi, I was the only person other than Bill and 1 more adult, who played that piano. They didn't say no, but they wanted me to get a written note from now on, which is impossible because the pastor does not wish to talk to me. Also because yes, they are within their rights to ask me to do so, no matter how ridiculous that may be!

I'm not defending their actions, but some churches are funny things. Accept it and move on. Ultimately, their lack of christian spirit is more their problem than yours.

I guess I shouldn't have played mephisto valse there, then...

Hahahaha.  Ya think? 

[chopin2015]

Don't sweat it. It's had far worse threats. Mostly from me when it doesn't behave.

I'm not defending their actions, but some churches are funny things. Accept it and move on. Ultimately, their lack of christian spirit is more their problem than yours.


Hahahaha.  Ya think? 

Lol; Exactly, moved on and want to keep on keeping on.(I won't question their Christian spirit too much because it was brought to my attention that I will not understand, respectfully. I just hope they do not doubt mine! Today was Russian Orthodox easter, btw. Christos voskresye! ) ; It's a pretty piece though, and the story ends with Faust doing the right thing by making the ultimate decision, remember? 

[j_menz]

It's a pretty piece though, and the story ends with Faust doing the right thing by making the ultimate decision, remember? 

Indeed. Though I suspect the Pastor hasn't read any Goethe and may just go by the name. 

It was written just before Liszt took minor orders in the Catholic church - and the other three were written well after that, so I doubt the intention was in any way blasphemous.

[perfect_pitch]

But you know what, you know who you are and YOU'RE NO DIFFERENT THAN THAT COLD PASTOR. So, I don't have to deal with you.

You know what - Grow the *** UP!!! I'm not the one who denied you access to the piano, so how about you stop behaving like a spoilt little brat and get over it. I responded simply because I've seen plenty of forum users treat this forum like some gab-fest to pregnant dog about whatever trivial crap they feel like.

You probably don't know J_Menz either, and his response didn't seem that cold. It was simply a summation of what was already stated. To respond with something like 'I hope your piano breaks' is pathetic at best, and as I said - childish.

I'm not the bloody Pastor - it's them you have a problem with, so how about you stop bitching about it on these forums and talk to the Pastor - like an ADULT!!!

I'm not the pastor, I'm not even close - and considering you don't know a DAMN THING about me, you don't have the right to state that I'm 'no different from the pastor'. Your right - you don't have to deal with me, yet you felt so eager to respond???

GROW UP!!!

[chopin2015]

Indeed. Though I suspect the Pastor hasn't read any Goethe and may just go by the name. 

It was written just before Liszt took minor orders in the Catholic church - and the other three were written well after that, so I doubt the intention was in any way blasphemous.

Not at all, it's only slightly funny in that way but I only play it for the sake of the music in this piece. If anything, some of those parts in no 1 sound like mephisto falls in love and melts into a mortal, loses his powers and dies in a way that god intended...instead of faust being the weak human character I talk about.
If the pastor knew what piece I was playing even though I never said "mephisto", then she knows too much and I can't argue with her reasoning to kick me out because of (you know what)...but I like to look on the bright side, even if the piece seems forbidden in literal context...

[chopin2015]

You know what - Grow the *** UP!!! I'm not the one who denied you access to the piano, so how about you stop behaving like a spoilt little brat and get over it. I responded simply because I've seen plenty of forum users treat this forum like some gab-fest to pregnant dog about whatever trivial crap they feel like.

You probably don't know J_Menz either, and his response didn't seem that cold. It was simply a summation of what was already stated. To respond with something like 'I hope your piano breaks' is pathetic at best, and as I said - childish.

I'm not the bloody Pastor - it's them you have a problem with, so how about you stop bitching about it on these forums and talk to the Pastor - like an ADULT!!!

I'm not the pastor, I'm not even close - and considering you don't know a DAMN THING about me, you don't have the right to state that I'm 'no different from the pastor'. Your right - you don't have to deal with me, yet you felt so eager to respond???

GROW UP!!!

Ehhh... I wanted to ignore this but...are you OK?? Do we have a problem? I apologized to jmenz publicly. You seem to have missed that. For upsetting you, I am sorry, too. Please accept my apology. For future reference, jmenz deals with discussions like this in a more (are ya ready for a pun?...) COMPOSED manner, so, do not mistakingly ignore this type of content. If you have any further comments that are this personal, I suggest you private message me where you can use all the curse words you may possess in your vocabulary, I would be entertained. Otherwise, try to refrain from opening my threads in miscellaneous topics in the future. To defend my stance further, some people do not have pianos, and churches with pianos(we don't have this in Russia, still) are a blessing for someone needing to play.
I will remove any innapropriate acronyms as to do as I preach....lolololol....preach. Get it? We were just talkin' about that!

P.S. I didn't mean "you are like the preacher" directly. I wrote "you people" originally, and that sounded worse. I just meant people in general can be like the pastor but not everyone, and not all pastors. Sorry for the bull you had to put up with in the past. I know it's a heated discussion, especially for me because I feel I am most affected by this. Forgive me?

[bronnestam]

Come on, this has nothing to do with "church people" in general. I talked to the organ player in charge at our church and she was fine with the idea that I come and use their piano - not a good one, but I think I want to play on an acoustic from time to time - when it is convenient.

So, you happened to encounter one person who was not that cooperative. It is a personal thing. It has nothing to do with the church concept, or with religion. Please don't generalize. Bad luck, but nothing to do about it, as it is not your piano. Period.

[chopin2015]

Come on, this has nothing to do with "church people" in general. I talked to the organ player in charge at our church and she was fine with the idea that I come and use their piano - not a good one, but I think I want to play on an acoustic from time to time - when it is convenient.

So, you happened to encounter one person who was not that cooperative. It is a personal thing. It has nothing to do with the church concept, or with religion. Please don't generalize. Bad luck, but nothing to do about it, as it is not your piano. Period.

Will go update my post right now. Thanks! I definitely would be wrong to think and say all church people are. I have said earlier, I've had friendly arrangements...infact to mellow down the extreme stance, I want to say some of the best people I've had the pleasure of meeting were pastors and people from a church community.

[hfmadopter]

A
@jmenz
 They didn't say no, but they wanted me to get a written note from now on, which is impossible because the pastor does not wish to talk to me.

@outin
 I carry god with me everywhere I go.

Chopin 2015, the two statements above are the most important ones of this entire thread. The second goes without further discussion. The first though is still addressable. Call the secretary of the church ( the business office if you will) and arrange a meeting with the pastor, with this Aunt you speak of and Bills knowledge. And then put your faith in that second statement above.

Be prepared to speak of a proposition that appeals to the church, something as we have mentioned already,  a trade for some playing during services, maybe a tuning of the piano. This of course assume playing in this church is that important to you. If not that important then just let it go.

All is not lost.
David

[birba]

Will go update my post right now. Thanks! I definitely would be wrong to think and say all church people are. I have said earlier, I've had friendly arrangements...infact to mellow down the extreme stance, I want to say some of the best people I've had the pleasure of meeting were pastors and people from a church community.

Love that!  I'm not prejudiced, some of my best friends are catholic... 
I know exactly where you're coming from.  I worked in churches for years.  Most of them good "folk".  But lots of them bigots.  They probably saw the tatoos on your arm.

[gep]

Ask that pastor (pastorella?) to read and contemplate Psalm 150, verses 2 and 3 especially.

If that doesn't help, obtain permission to play via other channels. If received, go there to play at a time you may expect that pastorella to be there too. Take a friend with you. If indeed Mrs Pastorella comes at you to hawk at you again, take out your Bible (I trust you have one or can obtain one) and read out loud - or better: ask her to read out loud - 1 Corinthians 14:34. Let your friend tape the whole (on his/her cell phone or so), especially her reaction to the text. Ask her if she would like to discuss this with the rest of the congregation. Or whether she is familiar with Youtube....

all best,
gep

[iansinclair]

Hmm... well, first kindly re-read my earlier post in this thread.

Second, keep in mind that playing an instrument in a church -- or any other location other than on a sidewalk somewhere -- is a privilege, not a right.  No one is entitled to play someone else's -- or some other organisation's -- instrument without permission, and that someone has no obligation to grant permission.

Third, keep in mind that clergy and church musicians are humans, first and foremost, and tend to react in a very human way -- for better or worse.  Threatening is rarely productive.

[chopin2015]

They certainly do have every right to create any rules they wish, even if they do think I am a good pianist and a nice enough person. I am most concerned with how the pastor looks at me. She didn't have to write an email to respond. She could have set up a meeting where we could have met face to face and all that. I suspect it's the type of music I play, as well. It is dramatic. Stuff like ballade no 1, winter wind etude, mephisto valse, etc. Romantic/dramatic music. Does anyone think that the mood of those pieces is almost like listening to slayer in a church? 

[hfmadopter]

They certainly do have every right to create any rules they wish, even if they do think I am a good pianist and a nice enough person. I am most concerned with how the pastor looks at me. She didn't have to write an email to respond. She could have set up a meeting where we could have met face to face and all that. I suspect it's the type of music I play, as well. It is dramatic. Stuff like ballade no 1, winter wind etude, mephisto valse, etc. Romantic/dramatic music. Does anyone think that the mood of those pieces is almost like listening to slayer in a church?  

My wife sings in a local Chorale, they sing in a lot of churches. Two years ago they did an early summer concert scheduled for a Catholic Church in the town of Mashpee. Because the music was not secular in nature they could not sing it in the church but had to do it in the  rec hall. That was fine, as it's very large. This year the same church let them put on the Mozart Requiem ( which is a mass) in the Maine Church and so did our catholic church in our own town.

Very nicely done incidentally, with a professional orchestra and besides their own solo soprano and bass singers, they had hired a tenor and alto singer. $7000 to produce this, no small change for a local group. It's their 30th year celebration.

On another note, are you sure this is a Catholic Church ?

[quantum]

Being a church musician, I've had my share of church politics.  As said above, churches are funny things.  Some can be very welcoming to those wishing to use the facilities; some wish to lock everything from the organ to the pencil sharpener tighter than Fort Knox (need to use the washroom?  You need the Prox key and combination lock code just to get in the vicinity); and some can be downright nasty to the point where you question whether or not you really are in a church. 

That said, there are plenty of churches that welcome outside musicians to play their instruments.  If you are not closely connected to the church, it is probably better to move on.  There may just be a church down the road that will welcome you with open arms.  They may even need a pianist to play a service, so there, you also got yourself a music job.

As said above, offer something in return to the church.  Sing in the choir, offer to sub for services.  Maybe you have a skill and the church has a need. 

[timothy42b]

So the church was initially willing to allow some use.

Then they reversed that decision.

That's their right, it's their piano, and they don't owe you any special communication method.

It might be completely unrelated to you - churches change their mind for all sorts of reasons.  (I'm on the vestry and we make this kind of decision all the time)  And if so, you need to drive on. 

But it might be COMPLETELY related to your behavior.  You may have done something that offended them.  If so, obviously you don't know what it is.  And that suggests you will do it again with the next church.  So it would be a good idea to find out.

And that's not going to be easy.  Nobody wants the confrontation, so they're just going to say "nothing was wrong, our insurance wouldn't cover it," or some other lame excuse, when the truth was you did something they couldn't or wouldn't tolerate.  Like play the thing with lots of hand lotion and leave the keys greasy LOL - yes that really happened at my church.  And we never told her why we started locking the organ.