piano service in music colleges

[Wippen@aol.com]

David,

Is your college/school a member of NASM ( National Association of Schools of
Music)?

It is my understanding that music schools seeking accreditation by NASM are
subject to scrutiny in many areas, equipment and the servicing of same to
name a couple. This accreditation must be reviewed periodically, and is the
source of much consternation for most department chairs, deans, etc. It
scares the Bejesus out of most;)

Take Newtons advice and get several copies of the Guild's guidlines for
Institutional Piano Service. Then,armed with these, and the list of
priorities suggested by some of the other  folks that have responded to your
query, prepare to do battle with your administrators.

150 pianos is WAY, WAY too many instruments for ONE Full-time technician.
It's too many for two.

"An adequate piano maintenance budget should be between five and ten percent
of the replacement cost of the piano inventory. This allocation includes
staff salaries and the purchase of new pianos" (*)  By all means....help them
do the math!!

(*)  Guidelines for Effective Institutional Piano Maintenance
       Published by the College and University Technicians Committee
       Piano Technicians Guild
       July 1990

Good Luck!!

Paul E. Dempsey
Marshall University
Huntington, WV.
wippen@aol.com