diff --git a/config/nginx/conf.d/cantusdb.conf.development b/config/nginx/conf.d/cantusdb.conf.development
index 1b8e0b654..972c91519 100644
--- a/config/nginx/conf.d/cantusdb.conf.development
+++ b/config/nginx/conf.d/cantusdb.conf.development
@@ -23,17 +23,9 @@ server {
         alias /resources/api_cache/concordances.json;
         expires modified +24h;
     }
- 
-    location = /style.css {
-        root /;
-    }
-    location = /background.jpg {
-        root /;
-    }
-    location = /CantusLogoSmall.gif {
-        root /;
-    }
-    location = /favicon.ico {
+
+    error_page 500 /500.html;
+    location = /500.html {
         root /;
     }
 
@@ -45,4 +37,4 @@ server {
     location = /504.html {
         root /;
     }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/django/cantusdb_project/main_app/forms.py b/django/cantusdb_project/main_app/forms.py
index 100027609..41abb97b3 100644
--- a/django/cantusdb_project/main_app/forms.py
+++ b/django/cantusdb_project/main_app/forms.py
@@ -83,13 +83,14 @@ class Meta:
             "content_structure",
             "indexing_notes",
             "addendum",
-            "segment",
-            "liturgical_function",
-            "polyphony",
-            "cm_melody_id",
-            "incipit_of_refrain",
-            "later_addition",
-            "rubrics",
+            # See issue #1521: Temporarily commenting out segment-related functions on Chant
+            # "segment",
+            # "liturgical_function",
+            # "polyphony",
+            # "cm_melody_id",
+            # "incipit_of_refrain",
+            # "later_addition",
+            # "rubrics",
         ]
         # the widgets dictionary is ignored for a model field with a non-empty
         # choices attribute. In this case, you must override the form field to
@@ -148,13 +149,14 @@ class Meta:
         "Mass Alleluias. Punctuation is omitted.",
     )
 
-    segment = SelectWidgetNameModelChoiceField(
-        queryset=Segment.objects.all().order_by("id"),
-        required=True,
-        initial=Segment.objects.get(id=4063),  # Default to the "Cantus" segment
-        help_text="Select the Database segment that the chant belongs to. "
-        "In most cases, this will be the CANTUS segment.",
-    )
+    # See issue #1521: Temporarily commenting out segment-related functions on Chant
+    # segment = SelectWidgetNameModelChoiceField(
+    #     queryset=Segment.objects.all().order_by("id"),
+    #     required=True,
+    #     initial=Segment.objects.get(id=4063),  # Default to the "Cantus" segment
+    #     help_text="Select the Database segment that the chant belongs to. "
+    #     "In most cases, this will be the CANTUS segment.",
+    # )
 
     # automatically computed fields
     # source and incipit are mandatory fields in model,
@@ -281,13 +283,14 @@ class Meta:
             "manuscript_full_text_proofread",
             "volpiano_proofread",
             "proofread_by",
-            "segment",
-            "liturgical_function",
-            "polyphony",
-            "cm_melody_id",
-            "incipit_of_refrain",
-            "later_addition",
-            "rubrics",
+            # See issue #1521: Temporarily commenting out segment-related functions on Chant
+            # "segment",
+            # "liturgical_function",
+            # "polyphony",
+            # "cm_melody_id",
+            # "incipit_of_refrain",
+            # "later_addition",
+            # "rubrics",
         ]
         widgets = {
             # manuscript_full_text_std_spelling: defined below (required)
@@ -317,12 +320,13 @@ class Meta:
             "proofread_by": autocomplete.ModelSelect2Multiple(
                 url="proofread-by-autocomplete"
             ),
-            "polyphony": SelectWidget(),
-            "liturgical_function": SelectWidget(),
-            "cm_melody_id": TextInputWidget(),
-            "incipit_of_refrain": TextInputWidget(),
-            "later_addition": TextInputWidget(),
-            "rubrics": TextInputWidget(),
+            # See issue #1521: Temporarily commenting out segment-related functions on Chant
+            # "polyphony": SelectWidget(),
+            # "liturgical_function": SelectWidget(),
+            # "cm_melody_id": TextInputWidget(),
+            # "incipit_of_refrain": TextInputWidget(),
+            # "later_addition": TextInputWidget(),
+            # "rubrics": TextInputWidget(),
         }
 
     manuscript_full_text_std_spelling = forms.CharField(
@@ -347,12 +351,13 @@ class Meta:
         help_text="Each folio starts with '1'.",
     )
 
-    segment = SelectWidgetNameModelChoiceField(
-        queryset=Segment.objects.all().order_by("id"),
-        required=True,
-        help_text="Select the Database segment that the chant belongs to. "
-        "In most cases, this will be the CANTUS segment.",
-    )
+    # See issue #1521: Temporarily commenting out segment-related functions on Chant
+    # segment = SelectWidgetNameModelChoiceField(
+    #     queryset=Segment.objects.all().order_by("id"),
+    #     required=True,
+    #     help_text="Select the Database segment that the chant belongs to. "
+    #     "In most cases, this will be the CANTUS segment.",
+    # )
 
 
 class SourceEditForm(forms.ModelForm):
diff --git a/django/cantusdb_project/main_app/templates/chant_create.html b/django/cantusdb_project/main_app/templates/chant_create.html
index 39bb752cc..3e60159bc 100644
--- a/django/cantusdb_project/main_app/templates/chant_create.html
+++ b/django/cantusdb_project/main_app/templates/chant_create.html
@@ -84,7 +84,8 @@ <h3>Create Chant</h3>
                         <label for="{{ form.cantus_id.id_for_label }}"><small>Cantus ID:</small></label>
                         {{ form.cantus_id }}
                     </div>
-                    <div id="segment-select-field" class="form-group m-1 col-lg-4">
+                    <!-- # See issue #1521: Temporarily commenting out segment-related functions on Chant -->
+                    <!-- <div id="segment-select-field" class="form-group m-1 col-lg-4">
                         <small>{{ form.segment.label_tag }}<span class="text-danger" title="This field is required">*</span></small>
                         {{ form.segment }}
                     </div>
@@ -92,7 +93,7 @@ <h3>Create Chant</h3>
                     <div class="form-group m-1 col-lg-3">
                         <small>{{ form.liturgical_function.label_tag }}</small>
                         {{ form.liturgical_function }}
-                    </div> 
+                    </div>  -->
                 </div>
 
                 <div class="form-row">
@@ -140,10 +141,11 @@ <h3>Create Chant</h3>
                         {{ form.extra }}
                     </div>
 
-                    <div class="form-group m-1 col-lg-2">
+                    <!-- # See issue #1521: Temporarily commenting out segment-related functions on Chant -->
+                    <!-- <div class="form-group m-1 col-lg-2">
                         <small>{{ form.polyphony.label_tag }}</small>
                         {{ form.polyphony }}
-                    </div>
+                    </div> -->
                 </div>
 
                 <div class="form-row">
@@ -179,8 +181,9 @@ <h3>Create Chant</h3>
                     
                 </div>
 
+                <!-- See issue #1521: Temporarily commenting out segment-related functions on Chants -->
                 <!-- The next three rows of fields are hidden unless the Benedicamus Domino segment is selected. -->
-                <div id="benedicamus-domino-segment-fields" hidden>
+                <!-- <div id="benedicamus-domino-segment-fields" hidden>
                     <div class="form-row">
 
                         <div class="form-group m-1 col-lg-4">
@@ -209,7 +212,7 @@ <h3>Create Chant</h3>
                             {{ form.rubrics }}
                         </div>
                     </div>
-                </div>
+                </div> -->
             
                 <div class="form-row align-items-end">
                     <div class="form-group m-1 col-lg">
diff --git a/django/cantusdb_project/main_app/templates/chant_edit.html b/django/cantusdb_project/main_app/templates/chant_edit.html
index 3cb6c8c59..43d930dd5 100644
--- a/django/cantusdb_project/main_app/templates/chant_edit.html
+++ b/django/cantusdb_project/main_app/templates/chant_edit.html
@@ -97,7 +97,8 @@
                             </label>
                             {{ form.melody_id }}
                         </div>
-                        <div id="segment-select-field" class="form-group m-1 col-lg-4">
+                        <!-- # See issue #1521: Temporarily commenting out segment-related functions on Chant -->
+                        <!-- <div id="segment-select-field" class="form-group m-1 col-lg-4">
                             <small>{{ form.segment.label_tag }}<span class="text-danger" title="This field is required">*</span></small>
                             {{ form.segment }}
                         </div>
@@ -105,7 +106,7 @@
                         <div class="form-group m-1 col-lg-3">
                             <small>{{ form.liturgical_function.label_tag }}</small>
                             {{ form.liturgical_function }}
-                        </div> 
+                        </div>  -->
                     </div>
 
                     <div class="form-row">
@@ -125,10 +126,11 @@
                             <small>{{ form.extra.label_tag }}</small>
                             {{ form.extra }}
                         </div>
-                        <div class="form-group m-1 col-lg-2">
+                        <!-- # See issue #1521: Temporarily commenting out segment-related functions on Chant -->
+                        <!-- <div class="form-group m-1 col-lg-2">
                             <small>{{ form.polyphony.label_tag }}</small>
                             {{ form.polyphony }}
-                        </div>
+                        </div> -->
                     </div>
                     <div class="form-row">
                         <div class="form-group m-1 col-lg-12">
@@ -157,8 +159,9 @@
                         {% endif %}
                     </div>
 
+                    <!-- # See issue #1521: Temporarily commenting out segment-related functions on Chant -->
                     <!-- The next three rows of fields are hidden unless the Benedicamus Domino segment is selected. -->
-                    <div id="benedicamus-domino-segment-fields" hidden>
+                    <!-- <div id="benedicamus-domino-segment-fields" hidden>
                         <div class="form-row">
 
                             <div class="form-group m-1 col-lg-4">
@@ -187,7 +190,7 @@
                                 {{ form.rubrics }}
                             </div>
                         </div>
-                    </div>
+                    </div> -->
 
                     {% if suggested_fulltext %}
                     <div class="form-row">
diff --git a/nginx/error_pages/style.css b/django/cantusdb_project/static/style.css
similarity index 100%
rename from nginx/error_pages/style.css
rename to django/cantusdb_project/static/style.css
diff --git a/nginx/Dockerfile b/nginx/Dockerfile
index 2b2ba9c0c..080a18815 100644
--- a/nginx/Dockerfile
+++ b/nginx/Dockerfile
@@ -6,4 +6,5 @@ RUN curl -LJO https://github.com/go-acme/lego/releases/download/v4.14.2/lego_v4.
     mv lego /usr/local/bin/lego && \
     rm lego_v4.14.2_linux_amd64.tar.gz
 RUN mkdir -p /var/www/lego
-COPY error_pages .
\ No newline at end of file
+COPY error_pages .
+COPY password/.htpasswd /etc/nginx/.htpasswd
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/nginx/error_pages/500.html b/nginx/error_pages/500.html
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8d987ae68
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nginx/error_pages/500.html
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+<!DOCTYPE html>
+<html>
+<head>
+	<title>500 Internal Server Error | Cantus Manuscript Database</title>
+	<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/static/style.css">
+	<link rel="icon" href="/static/favicon.ico">
+</head>
+<body>
+	<div class="page">
+		<a href="/"><img src="/static/CantusLogoSmall.gif"></a>
+		<h1>500 Internal Server Error</h1>
+		<p>The server encountered a temporary error and could not fulfill your request.</p>
+		<p>Our apologies. Please wait a few moments and try again.</p>
+	</div>
+</body>
+</html>
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/nginx/error_pages/502.html b/nginx/error_pages/502.html
index fec106b4c..c9b67bfdf 100644
--- a/nginx/error_pages/502.html
+++ b/nginx/error_pages/502.html
@@ -2,12 +2,12 @@
 <html>
 <head>
 	<title>502 Bad Gateway | Cantus Manuscript Database</title>
-	<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/style.css">
-	<link rel="icon" href="/favicon.ico">
+	<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/static/style.css">
+	<link rel="icon" href="/static/favicon.ico">
 </head>
 <body>
 	<div class="page">
-		<a href="/"><img src="/CantusLogoSmall.gif"></a>
+		<a href="/"><img src="/static/CantusLogoSmall.gif"></a>
 		<h1>502 Bad Gateway</h1>
 		<p>The server encountered a temporary error and could not fulfill your request.</p>
 		<p>Our apologies. Please wait a few moments and try again.</p>
diff --git a/nginx/error_pages/504.html b/nginx/error_pages/504.html
index fc06a4805..74fb4a365 100644
--- a/nginx/error_pages/504.html
+++ b/nginx/error_pages/504.html
@@ -2,12 +2,12 @@
 <html>
 <head>
 	<title>504 Gateway Timeout | Cantus Manuscript Database</title>
-	<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/style.css">
-	<link rel="icon" href="/favicon.ico">
+	<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/static/style.css">
+	<link rel="icon" href="/static/favicon.ico">
 </head>
 <body>
 	<div class="page">
-		<a href="/"><img src="/CantusLogoSmall.gif"></a>
+		<a href="/"><img src="/static/CantusLogoSmall.gif"></a>
 		<h1>504 Gateway Timeout</h1>
 		<p>The server took too long to respond and could not fulfill your request.</p>
 		<p>Our apologies. Please wait a few moments and try again.</p>
diff --git a/nginx/error_pages/CantusLogoSmall.gif b/nginx/error_pages/CantusLogoSmall.gif
deleted file mode 100644
index 7c2b19440..000000000
Binary files a/nginx/error_pages/CantusLogoSmall.gif and /dev/null differ
diff --git a/nginx/error_pages/background.jpg b/nginx/error_pages/background.jpg
deleted file mode 100644
index 746a98a51..000000000
Binary files a/nginx/error_pages/background.jpg and /dev/null differ
diff --git a/nginx/error_pages/favicon.ico b/nginx/error_pages/favicon.ico
deleted file mode 100644
index 07a2d4dbf..000000000
Binary files a/nginx/error_pages/favicon.ico and /dev/null differ
diff --git a/nginx/password/.htpasswd b/nginx/password/.htpasswd
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..4453f326c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nginx/password/.htpasswd
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+# Note: This file is intentionally empty for development and production environments. It will be replaced with a file containing a hashed password on the staging server by ansible.
\ No newline at end of file