Dear Scott, Dave, Paul, Jim, et al-- It is heartwarming and reassuring to read your posts on this subject, which are reflective of maturity, professionalism, and mutual support. I have been at the University of Texas Butler School of Music now for 30 years, and want to enthusiastically second what you have all so eloquently expressed. The job is not without its frustrations and shortcomings (which job is not?!), but, as I look toward eventual retirement, I have a general sense of appreciation and gratitude toward the many administrators, faculty, staff, and students with whom I have worked over the years. Having had difficulty recruiting qualified technicians to our staff in the past, and having seen some dismayed responses from young techs to previous negative threads on this list, I want to encourage folks to consider this wonderful profession, which is one of craftsmanship, service, and support, and to weight a diversity of points of view and experiences when making their career choices. Sincerely, Charles On Jan 5, 2010, at 8:43 AM, Scott E. Thile wrote: > My environment at Murray State is fantastic! I work with excellent > faculty, > administrators, and students who make beautiful music. They > appreciate my > work. I'm adequately paid and have excellent benefits. > > Hope and pray that those of you in difficult positions will find > ways to > improve them. > > All the best, > > Scott E. Thile > Piano/Instrument Technician > --------------------------- > Dept. of Music, Murray State University > 504 Fine Arts Building, Murray, KY 42071 > Office Phone: 270-809-4396 > http://campus.murraystate.edu/staff/scott.thile/ > > >> -----Original Message----- >> From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On >> Behalf Of Jim Busby >> Sent: Tuesday, January 05, 2010 7:43 AM >> To: caut at ptg.org >> Subject: Re: [CAUT] Piano juries on concert instruments >> >> >> Hi Paul, >> >> Dave is right on with me as well. I've been at BYU for 9 >> years and the faculty/staff are like family to me. While I >> would like more money (who wouldn't) the salary and benefits >> are sufficient for my needs, but the people are why I stay >> more than the money. >> >> >> Regards, >> Jim Busby >> >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On >> Behalf Of Paul Milesi >> Sent: Monday, January 04, 2010 5:13 PM >> To: PTG CAUT List >> Subject: Re: [CAUT] Piano juries on concert instruments >> >> As someone new to this list (4 months), new to being a CAUT >> (started last February), and relatively inexperienced as a >> technician (5 years), I have been following this thread with >> great interest and considerable dismay. I don't know any of >> you on this list personally, but now I feel compelled to say >> a big "Thank You" to Dave Porritt for expressing so clearly >> and succinctly what I have been wanting to say for some time >> now. I agree with and echo his views wholeheartedly. >> >> At Howard University, I am being treated with the utmost >> respect. My rather radical departures from previous techs in >> everything from instrument allocation to the types of work >> performed are welcomed with interest and enthusiasm. I am >> accorded great deference and freedom in terms of my work >> schedule, and the goals and priorities I set for the work I >> perform. They have, for the first time, set aside a practice >> room that I use as a shop/office, and provided funds for the >> necessary shelving, etc. Yes, I choose to work plenty of >> evenings and weekends, when access is easy and I am relaxed. >> I voluntarily attend recitals to assess my own work and the >> needs and talents of our faculty and student body, and to >> enjoy fellowship with others who love music. >> >> As I've read this thread, I have sometimes thought that the >> reason things are working so well for me is that I am a >> reasonably accomplished pianist, and that helps me to earn >> the respect of the music faculty and students. But I'm not >> sure that's really the reason. I believe it has more to do >> with my attitude, and with my willingness to give freely of >> myself, my time, and my knowledge and skills -- my >> enthusiasm. Yes, I'm probably one of those who could be >> accused of giving things away, but I'm happier for it. And >> there is no end to the explicit expression of appreciation I >> am shown, by both faculty and students. Priceless. >> >> At this point, I look forward to a long, enjoyable and >> productive relationship with HU. I know that expectations >> may change as music chairs and college deans come and go, but >> for now, at least, I've found a very fulfilling role to play >> in a musical community. >> >> Paul >> -- > Charles Ball, RPT Head Piano Technician The Butler School of Music The University of Texas at Austin 1 University Station, E 3100 Austin, Texas 78712 512-471-0763 (office) 512-923-2311 (cell) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/caut.php/attachments/20100105/e2dc5566/attachment-0001.htm>
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