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New Institute Classes

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Life-long Learning:
New Classes at Providence Institute

Evelyn Smith, Institute Director
Published in Febuary 1998 Piano Technicians Journal

Years ago when I was thinking about becoming a piano tuner, I met a successful older technician who said something that surprised me--that he'd worked on pianos for 40 years but he'd never stopped learning interesting new things about them. I was glad to hear it; I wanted a job that would challenge me to continue learning new ideas and skills for decades. This same technician believed in PTG, and rarely missed a chapter meeting, a state seminar, or an annual Institute. I'm grateful that he showed me by example the satisfaction and enjoyment of continuing education through the Guild.

For Providence, we're working hard to bring you the best classes and instructors we can find, and we have a special commitment to providing new classes that have never before been taught at the annual Institute. So whether this will be your first Institute or your forty-first, we promise you there's something new to learn.

A featured new Institute class this year is Anne Ingard's "Body Tuning for Tuners." Anne, a physical therapist who has worked with piano technicians' injuries for years, will present ways to deal with the many aches and pains associated with our work. A technician who recently saw her class called it "extremely well-presented and geared toward real life problems and how to prevent or cure them."

In addition to the class, Anne will be available for private half-hour consultations to observe your posture while you tune, and make suggestions for improvements. There will be a $35 fee for these consultations and spaces are limited, so pre-register for the consultations as soon as you receive your convention registration form.

Check this space next month when we'll describe the all-new classes in the soundboard and belly workshop.

[CYBERCAFE TOON]

CyberCafe

Take advantage of this opportunity to learn how a computer can benefit your business by attending the all-new CyberCafe. On Sunday morning, you'll be able to get hands-on assistance in some of the following areas of computers: software--tuning, customer data base, financial, calendar/scheduling, word processing, simple desk top publishing for chapter newsletters--and the Internet--email, list serves, and web sites.

A number of PC and Macintosh computers will be set up for you to work with, both laptop and desktop models. Most machines will be attended by someone knowledgable about a particular field.

In addition, computer and internet guru Andy Rudoff will offer an informal session Thursday evening to explore the Internet for technicians and answer your questions about computers.

NEW CLASSES

Here are just some of the special features we have in store:

  • "Body Tuning for Tuners," is a class taught by Anne Ingard, a physical therapist who has worked with piano technicians' injuries for years. Anne will present ways to deal with the many aches and pains associated with our work. In addition to the class, she will be available for private half-hour consultations to observe your posture while you tune, and make suggestions for improvements. Sign up for consultations on the registration form.

  • We'll have a special group of rebuilding classes, including a new Rebuilding Applied Skills class on Sunday morning where you can get hands-on practice to improve your craftmanship.

  • Not only can you get your hearing tested by audiologists from the University of Rhode Island, you can also be fitted for a pair of musician's ear plugs.

  • Tuning tutoring will be an opportunity that no one will want to miss this year. Tutors for the hour and a half sessions include the nationally-known tuners Bill Garlick, Steve Fairchild, and Virgil Smith. Electronic tuning tutoring will also be available for the Reyburn Cybertuner and the Sanderson Accutuner. This tutoring session is guaranteed to improve anyone's tuning, from beginner to advanced. Spaces for tutoring are limited; see registration form to sign up.

    Take a look at more of the outstanding all-new classes this year:

    Action and Regulating

    • Richard Davenport--action geometry
    • Del Fandrich--action power and efficiency
    • Doug Wood--grand and vertical sostenuto systems
    • David Stanwood and John Foy--whippen support springs
    • Ben McKlveen--vertical regulation
    Rebuilding and Shop
    • Chris Robinson--belly theory
    • Joel and Priscilla Rappaport--grand hammer hanging
    • Ted Sambell--2 new classes: vertical hammer, shank and butt installation; also pinblock installation
    • Marcia Davis--refinishing plates and soundboards
    • David Hughes--bridge making
    • Clair Davies--building a soundboard and bridge press
    College and University Technicians
    • Allen Wright--fortepiano regulation and voicing
    Tunining
    • Dan Levitan--muting master class
    • Genia Carter--pitch raising with an Accu-Tuner
    • Kevin Stock--Steinway voicing
    • Dean Reyburn--Advanced Reyburn CyberTuner
    • Brian de Tar--voicing small grands
    • Christine Lovgrin--tuning stability
    Service and Repair
    • Phil Glenn--polyester finish repair
    • Allan Gilreath--improving the small grand
    • Dan Reed--servicing typical home pianos
    Player Pianos and Electronics
    • Norman Cantrell--in-home player piano service
    Business
    • Beverly Kim--PTG member benefits
    • Gary Neie--marketing
    Design, Construction and Materials
    • Andre Bolduc--glues and adhesives
    • Del Fandrich--piano anatomy 101

    [WOOD TOON]

    SUCCESSFUL CLASSES RETURN TO INSTITUTE

    In Providence, we'll bring back some of the hits from previous years such as the business roundtables, mini-classes, hands-on regulating classes, and applied skills classes. Other favorites include:

  • Dr. Bruce Hoadley, last year's featured instructor, will return to the Institute this year to offer his outstanding classes on wood technology. Friday afternoon he will present his class "Understanding Wood," open to anyone registered for classes. On Saturday, he will teach an all-day advanced class, available for a $40 registration fee, covering the properties of wood, wood and moisture, and a wood gluing checklist.

  • Also back by popular acclaim is the seminar by Murray Bradford, CPA, "Tax Strategies for the Piano Technician." Students in the class last year called it "Immediately-applicable money-saving information. Very enthusiastic and knowlegdgeable speaker." This 4-hour intensive session will be offered Friday afternoon for an additional $70 fee.

    Successes from the past, plus new and innnovative ideas--come check out the winning formula for the Providence Convention and Institute. There's something for everyone!

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