Recently, Leonard W. Childs wrote, Newton, I have known you for over 10 years and know you to be one of the best piano technician/tuner in the business and what you are going through is happening throught all universities. Here in San Antonio, TX, we RPT's refuse to work for UTSA because of what they pay and how they treat their technicians. I'm really sorry this is happening to you. It is disturbing to hear Newton hasn't received the usual complaint protocal that I would expect from those I serve faithfully. The normal route is a face to face meeting with the division chair to formulate the expectations of the piano faculty into a service schedule that will meet the standard university requirements without sacrificing the rest of the inventory. With Newton's instrument ratio it is unlikely anyone could maintain studio pianos at the level expected of teaching instruments. It might be encouraging to know that the negative downsizing statistics I keep reading about on every post concerning this subject is not happening here at Arizona State and I hope there is at least one more of you out there on the other side of the fence. The last four years have been good for us with an excellent administation, in fact we have more budget money than I know what to do with, well almost. Our salaries are fair and the benefits are outstanding. We are empowered to get the job done without question. The ratio of two techs to about 175 pianos is the key. This allows monitering of keyboard studios on a weekly basis with some time for real refinement. It is imperative for the senior tech at any school to have the time and patience to work with keyboard profs in a creative rather than hostile enviornment. Brent Fischer Brent.Fischer@ASU.EDU Arizona State University/Tempe
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