<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" = http-equiv=Content-Type> <META content="MSHTML 5.00.2314.1000" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#b8b8b8> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Hey List,</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I would like to propose a program. = First, I would apologize for the length of this posting, but, once you read it, you'll understand. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I'll start with a story: A few years = ago, my barber told me about his son. He said that his son was completely addicted to = playing the piano and was having problems with Carpal Tunnel. He further said = that his son was self taught and played almost exclusively Classical Music. Also, = he did not read Music! This peaked my interest.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The short version is: He was playing on = an old upright, in bad regulation and pretty much worn out. After much = cajolling and several conferences with leading college piano instructors, we got him = turned around. In the process, I offered to LOAN him a small grand, that I = occasionally rent out, (with Flight Case). The only stipulations that I put on him, = was that he continue to take lessons and that he get his High School grades up, = and keep them up. I tuned the piano, every 3 months, so that I could monitor the = piano and his progress. All this was done for free. Now, you're saying: boy is = he tooting his horn! Not really, the satisfaction of helping an AVID = student and the end result was more than enough compensation. The real reason I'm = telling you all about this, is that I would like to see you all try something = like this, in your area.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>We all know how the Arts are taking a = beating, in our schools. I think it's time, we, as a group, stood up and did = something about it! This, I think, is one way to help the situation.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Oh, the story still continues, but at = present, my barber's son is attending a college in Colorado, has a good GPA, is = studying to become a Commercial Pilot, (his dad's hobby is flying), and is = continuing to play the piano. It's his Outlet, his Teddy Bear and a continuing joy to = his parents. (Warm and Fuzzy feelings all around!)</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>To end this LOOONG story, I would like = to ask you all to consider some such program. Yesterday, I delivered a studio piano = to a struggling college student, getting his recital together. It is in his = home replacing a NASTY, BROKENDOWN SPINET. I know that he will be a better = musician because of it. Comments will be appreciated. But, more than comments, Participation will be greatly appreciated by our upcoming, budding = artists of the future.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Regards, </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Joe Garrett, R.P.T. (Oregon)</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>