First let me explain that for the most part, the work I do for the symphony is more or less volunteer. When I first got here 5 years ago, I was offered the equivalent of one tuning fee to prep the piano. For this I usually wound up spending about 3 or 4 hours. Not wanting to charge the already financially scrapped symphony for more money I decided to "give" them my time. I reasoned that I am getting paid by the university, and the work I did on the piano benefited the university, too. I also don't mind working on weekends or evenings. Like most of us, I work a very flexible schedule. Although I fill out a time card that says I work 37.75 a week, presumably from 8 - 4:45, with an hour off for lunch, I usually work at times other than 8 - 5. So spending a Saturday night moving pianos, doesn't bother me. Now, as far as a budget is concerned, I think I have some money coming on a regular basis, starting in the fall. I approached my chair with some questions regarding the fee the TSO, and other groups pay the school for the use of the facilities. Although I didn't get a straight answer, he did assure me that starting in the fall, part of the money collected from these fees will be allocated to me. The money will come from 4 places. One is the rent the TSO pays. Next the rent outside groups pay. Third is, starting in the fall, for the first time admission will be charged for all concerts. And forth, also starting in the fall, a church has requested the use of the concert hall, and the use of the piano, paying a very hefty sum each week. The church is supposed to use the hall for about 2 years. How much I am going to get is still going to be determined, but I said any amount would be appreciated. I am anticipating about $10K per year. It isn't much, but it will give me a chance to start rebuilding some of the worst pianos. We also discussed becoming an all Steinway school. 32 of my 75 instrument inventory is already Steinway, so were almost halfway there already. I know some of you are not in favor of going that route, but I think it will be the best chance we have at replacing some of our aging instruments. We have 4 Steinway grands that date from the '30's, and there are about a dozen uprights in practice rooms from the 50's and 60's. The university president just announced a very ambitious $500 million capital improvement campaign to be completed by 2009. The chair said he would put my request for $500,000, and see what happens. Thanks for those who responded. Wim Willem Blees, RPT Piano Tuner/Technician School of Music University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/caut.php/attachments/20060411/556dd44b/attachment.html
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