"School Bids-n-Proposals"

[David ilvedson]

> From:          Daleboy <Daleboy@aol.com>
> Date:          Tue, 28 Apr 1998 07:52:11 EDT
> To:            pianotech@ptg.org
> Subject:       "School Bids-n-Proposals"
> Reply-to:      pianotech@ptg.org

Here in California in my child's school district all the arts 
have been eliminated with budget cuts.  Now this is just one 
district and the more affluent districts have the most money and 
therefore might have Music and Art.  At my child's school the 
parents have stepped forward to provide the Arts as best we can. 
It isn't perfect but it is what we've got.  My question to the 
List is what have you done lately to further Music education in 
your community?  Haven't we all lamented the lack of time for 
children to pursue the Arts what with all the competition from 
TV, computers, sports etc.  How many of us are donating there 
services to the local communtiy Arts program that struggles to 
provide live music to the community?  I'm sure many of you are 
saying, "Hey, thats how I make my living?"  Well I'm saying take 
a look around and see if the Arts are alive and well and if not 
what can you do to help.  

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA



> Dear Lisa and List,
>      I have recently had a unique experience with our local school system here
> in middle Tennessee. I am under the impression that the service contract for
> piano work is currently issued to another local tuner....however.....I have
> gotten calls from at least three schools in this particular county. The pianos
> were serviced at my regular prices (plus mileage) and the staffs of the
> schools have never mentioned any discounts. Some of the pianos had been
> "Tooned" within the last month. I am puzzled by this as I know how the system
> "usually works"....I ain't askin' a lot of questions tho. Evidently there are
> systems that exist within systems, if you know what I mean. Perhaps these
> request were funded privately in order to get around the contract issue, eh?
>       I do agree with Bill Bremmer's approach to the situation by meeting with
> the powers that be and that schools most often don't know how and where to
> appoint their funds earmarked for the "arts".......but......so many schools
> districts across the nation have DRASTICLY reduced their monies for the upkeep
> of ALL music programs, not just service for pianos! Private interest may be
> the key for funding piano service in our schools...I dunno...... 
>        Behind all of this looms a larger question....... 
> What will happen to our future musicians if we don't keep these programs in-
> tact at a "Grass Roots" level........$10 per piano.......GAWD!!!!!!!
> Regards,
> Dale Whitehead,
> Franklin Piano Restorations
> 
>