[CAUT] Pianos for piano performance majors

[Robin Blankenship]

David,

I had no say in the matter. 1) I was not even the contract tech at the time 
of decision. 2) It was apparently the perogative of the department chair 
alone. Despite having worked for the local Boston dealer for a a couple of 
years, I have as yet little experience with how the 118's fare over time. 
What I expect is that they will take some work to get whatever their max 
stability will be.

"My" university is a smallish, state run one that has a modest inventory. It 
is, however, aware of the public perception of what the name "Steinway" 
means to most. The university is willing to take advantage of perhaps 
becoming an "all Steinway" school for the sake of enhanced public perception 
as much as anything. This school has a way to move upward in its decent 
quest to improve. They see this as an acceptable move. Now, I don't know how 
the school might respond once Steinway begins to levy whatever restrictive 
policies they might employ in the area of parts and service. THAT could be 
interesting!!!!

I am not disagreeing with you at all. I see a few Boston grands that live in 
very protected places and they are doing fine. I am withholding judgement or 
even much comment about the vertical for the time being. I admit to really 
liking the P-22 and tend to wish that every piano I saw was as amenable. 
Under the tuning hammer or the screwdriver, the Yamaha's "feel" more secure 
and solid to me than do the Boston's thus far.

Actually, if truth be known, I am a coffee drinker. It's my wife who does 
all those exotic tea flavors!!!!

Thanks for your imput,
Robin
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Porritt, David" <dporritt at mail.smu.edu>
To: "College and University Technicians" <caut at ptg.org>
Sent: Friday, March 31, 2006 7:25 AM
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Pianos for piano performance majors


> Robin:
>
> I think we would have great latitude in the choice of instruments but
> frankly the U118 has never been my favorite instrument either.  When I
> think of the "All Steinway" designation the feeling I get is a confined,
> cramped one.  I couldn't even fantasize about a Shigeru Kawai EX or some
> piano that another manufacturer introduces next year because we'd be
> contractually obligated to only the instruments of one manufacturer.  I
> can't think of a reason to limit our options like that.  I might be a
> little dull, but I can't figure out what we'd gain for giving away all
> those options.
>
> dp
>
> David M. Porritt
> dporritt at smu.edu
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of
> Robin Blankenship
> Sent: Thursday, March 30, 2006 6:47 PM
> To: College and University Technicians
> Subject: Re: [CAUT] Pianos for piano performance majors
>
> David,
>
> Would not your school have some choice in which species of verticals it
> got?? Mine does. It has gotten several Boston UP-118S's over the past
> couple
> of years. I, too, held my breath about not being swamped with 1098's.
> But,
> when I beheld the new Bostons, I felt positively like..........like
> having a
> tea party!!!
>
> Yep,
> Robin Blankenship
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Porritt, David" <dporritt at mail.smu.edu>
> To: "College and University Technicians" <caut at ptg.org>
> Sent: Thursday, March 30, 2006 7:39 PM
> Subject: Re: [CAUT] Pianos for piano performance majors
>
>
> Jim:
>
> I tend to agree with you about the variety but the S'ways do hold up
> pretty
> well.  We are a keep-em-and-rebuild-em school.  We have bought 6 new
> pianos
> since 2000 but I really encourage rebuilding rather than trading.
> Fortunately the head of piano is the daughter of a piano technician and
> she
> is firmly convinced that you get better instruments for less money that
> way.
> I certainly agree with her.
>
> Our grand pianos are 75% Steinway.  Steinway Hall is trying to get us to
>
> become an "All Steinway School".  I can't see any benefit in that myself
> -
> well, except for only having to keep parts for Steinways.  I certainly
> would
> not want to see a truckload of 1098s come in as I don't want to retire
> yet
> and I'm sure I would if we had 50 of those!
>
> dp
>
> __________________________
> David M. Porritt, RPT
> Meadows School of the Arts
> Southern Methodist University
> Dallas, TX 75275
> dporritt at smu.edu
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: caut-bounces at ptg.org on behalf of Jim Busby
> Sent: Thu 3/30/2006 1:39 PM
> To: College and University Technicians
> Subject: [CAUT] Pianos for piano performance majors
>
>
>
> List,
>
>
>
> I've noticed that several of you have practice rooms "locked" or
> reserved
> for piano performance majors. Many reserve Steinways for those rooms,
> but
> isn't a diversity of brands better? We currently have 6 of these rooms
> and
> have the following breakdown;
>
>
>
> 2 Steinway Ms
>
> 1 Yamaha C3
>
> 1 M&H A
>
> 1 Kawai GS-40
>
> 1 Baldwin L
>
>
>
> All these kept as optimal as possible.
>
>
>
> Any arguments for going all S&S? I'd especially like to hear from those
> of
> you who majored in piano performance.
>
>
>
> Thanks.
>
>
>
> Jim Busby BYU
>
>
>
>
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