<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:st1="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"> <head> <meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 11 (filtered medium)"> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceName"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceType"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PostalCode"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PersonName"/>  <style>  </style> </head> <body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple> <div class=Section1> I really enjoyed the KC convention.  The classes I attended were quite good and very informative.  On none of them did I feel like I was not picking up something that would benefit me or add to my understanding of piano technology.  I especially enjoyed the Kawai Concert on Friday night.  In fact, that classical recital is always a highlight of the week and one of the main things to which wife and I look forward.  I appreciate the quality of the music that Kawai presents in the concerts they host.  Since I’ve become an RPT we have attended the Golden Hammer Banquet too.  Why, I don’t know.  Prior to becoming an RPT we would show up after the banquet for the Kawai Concert.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> I was pleased that Steinway got on the bandwagon this year and presented an excellent piano trio.  In fact, this is the first Steinway presentation I’ve attended.  I hope they keep on the same “classical performance” track for future conventions.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> If it weren’t for the Convention/Institute, I very well may not have become an RPT.  I have attended numerous classes and tutoring sessions and, as I reflect on it, find that I took classes that provided the training I needed to take the exams.  My chapter RPTs helped as far as training was concerned, but it was the INSTITUTES that provided the training and encouragement to take the RPT exams.  For Associates who are concerned about upgrading, my advice would be to go to the Conventions (and regional seminars also).  It’s one thing to gripe about your status...it’s something else to do something about it.  The former says something about your character; the latter says something about your tenacity.  I know!<o:p></o:p> Joy!<o:p></o:p> Elwood<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <div> Elwood Doss, Jr., M.M.E., RPT<o:p></o:p> Piano Technician/Technical Director<o:p></o:p> Department of Music<o:p></o:p> 145 Fine Arts Building<o:p></o:p> The <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType> of <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Tennessee</st1:PlaceName></st1:place> at Martin<o:p></o:p> <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Martin</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">TN</st1:State>  <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">38238</st1:PostalCode></st1:place><o:p></o:p> 731/881-1852<o:p></o:p> FAX: 731/881-7415<o:p></o:p> HOME: 731/587-5700<o:p></o:p> </div> <div> <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'> <hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1> </div> From: Rob Mitchell [mailto:tpa2sfr@pacbell.net] Sent: Wednesday, June 27, 2007 11:10 AM To: '<st1:PersonName w:st="on">Pianotech List</st1:PersonName>' Subject: KC Classes<o:p></o:p> </div> <o:p> </o:p> As someone who came to the piano business relatively late in life, I wanted to comment on my recent experiences in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Kansas City</st1:City></st1:place>.  Over my engineering career, I’ve been to many technical conferences, classes, trade shows, seminars, etc.  And through the years, I learned to go into these with fairly low expectations.  Maybe for one out of five classes, I’d say to myself, “now that was worth my time”.  Most of the time, it was some self-obsessed instructor droning on about some obscure topic.  But, what the heck, the company was paying for it, so absorb what you can.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Now perhaps it’s because I’m new and have so much to learn, but I have to say I was overwhelmingly impressed with the quality and consistency of classes in KC (especially since now it’s on my nickel!).   Sure, you’re always going to get a few “misses” where it either wasn’t the topic you were expecting or the instructor lacks good presentation skills.  And since it’s my money and my business, I have no problem leaving early in a class that wasn’t what I expected.  Nothing personal to the instructors, just not the right class for me.  But overall, I’d say nine out of ten classes were spot-on what I wanted to hear.  <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> I’ll also second the notion that you need to listen to what others have to say about classes and instructors.  I specifically attended David Andersen’s second class because of all the “buzz” – wow, was I impressed.  I had a great time at the convention, it was thoroughly worth my time and I can’t wait until next year.  Compared to what I’ve seen in other industries, the PTG can be justifiably proud of the technical institute.  <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Rob Mitchell<o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> Mitchell Piano Service<o:p></o:p> <a href="http://www.mitchellpianoservice.com">www.mitchellpianoservice.com</a><o:p></o:p> (415) 994-1030<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> </div> </body> </html>