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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The streets outside the Centre Square Mall are really quiet these days. Since last summer they have been missing the signature strings and sweeping crescendos that once clashed with some of the things that took place in the area.

Jacqueline Witoski strains to hear the strings that have now disappeared outside the Centre Square Mall's entrances. Although management could not say why the music died, and nearly everyone asked said they were glad the entrance is now muted, Witoski said she kind of missed it. "It made you smile when you walked in," she said. - Herb Mathisen/NNSL photo

Mall security has changed in the past year and with it, the classical music that once used to blare out from the downtown mall entrances on 50 and 49 Street has gone the way of the dodo.

The tinny music was used as noise deterrent to keep people from loitering outside the mall's entrances, which may have made some refined fans of classical music turn up their noses. The music was just loud enough to stifle conversations.

In a quick survey, the general consensus from people entering and exiting the downtown mall - and engaged in conversation outside it - was that the music was not missed.

Tim Allen stood with a couple friends Monday and said he gets on just fine without the symphonic songs.

"That music was annoying," he said. "If you want to hear classical music, you go to the opera.

"That's why there's people walking around here half-crazy," he joked.

Management said the music may have stopped due to an iPod problem but declined to comment further.

Allen said he had an idea of what happened to the music.

"I think somebody finally busted the speakers," he laughed.

Paul Hanzes worked as a security guard in the mall last year and saw firsthand how many people hung out around the building. Hanzes, who now works as a merchant in the mall, said there aren't many places for some people to go around town.

He said he was not sure if the music worked to keep people moving.

"I don't think they want to keep people entertained at the doors," he said.

Allen seemed to think the choice of music was what drove people away.

"If they had gospel music, people would be hanging around," said Allen.

"If they had better speakers, it might have been OK," laughed one man, as he walked away.

Although most were either downright gleeful the music had vanished or said they brushed off the background noise without a thought, one woman said she missed it. Jacqueline Witoski said she thought it added a uniqueness to her visits to the mall.

"I kind of found it amusing," she said.

Witoski lives out in Edzo and said the songs gave her a laugh whenever she came in to shop.

"It made you smile when you walked in."

Witoski shared Allen's opinion about the choice of musical genre used and the reasons behind its selection.

"If they played a radio station, I'm pretty sure people would stay around," she said.