Fred: Good work on this. The only question I had was "have you seen a Boston UP-118 lately?" I was surprised to see it in the list of acceptable instruments. dave __________________________________________ David M. Porritt, RPT Meadows School of the Arts Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX 75275 ----- Original message ----------------------------------------> From: Fred Sturm <fssturm@unm.edu> To: College and University Technicians <caut@ptg.org> Received: Mon, 15 Dec 2003 11:02:53 -0700 Subject: Re: piano purchase specs >Here's what I finally came up with, and purchasing seems to be going along >with it (I should note that I chose piano models from among those available >at local vendors.): >Memo to purchasing department > The Music Department has recently implemented a course fee for the >purpose >of on-going replacement and maintenance of pianos. Purchase of new >instruments will occur regularly for the foreseeable future. > It is vital that the pianos purchased be if the highest musical quality, >and that they be manufactured to a high standard to ensure longevity and >reliability. > It is not possible to quantify selection criteria for pianos (or for many >other musical instruments, including, for example, violins) in a purely >objective way. There is a broad consensus as to which models of instruments >from which manufacturers will generally meet quality standards. However, >individual instruments within any given model will vary considerably from >one another. Obtaining appropriate instruments requires individual >selection. > We understand that we are constrained by state law to follow procedures >which provide for a fair and honest selection procedure. We would like to >propose the following as an appropriate way to select pianos. We would: >1) List specific models made by specific manufacturers as pianos known to >meet quality criteria, and invite bids to provide those instruments. In >general, we would try to list at least four models made by four different >manufacturers where possible. >2) Invite vendors to propose, if they wish, models which they consider to >be equivalent, noting that the selection committee would determine whether >or not such instruments would meet our requirements. >3) State that while price will be a criterion for selection, individual >pianos will be selected for purchase individually. The vendor should >provide an opportunity for the selection committee to audition pianos >individually. >4) State that the UNM Music Department will generally wish to establish and >maintain a varied inventory of pianos, in order to expose students to a >wide range of tone and response. Thus, in general purchases will be of more >than one model, and from more than one vendor. >We wish to make our initial purchase as early as possible in 2004, with a >goal of obtaining four upright pianos. For this purpose, we would propose >the following language for the request for bids: >The UNM Music Department is seeking bids for the purchase of four upright >pianos by January 31, 2004. These pianos should be of >Professional/Institutional quality as described below: >1) Pianos purchased will be between 45? and 52? in height. Probable >purchase will include one 45 - 46?, two 48? and one 50 - 52?, but this mix >may vary depending on instruments available. >2) Bids will be entertained for the following makes and models: >Boston: UP-118, UP-126, UP-132 >Kawai: UST-7, UST-8, UST-10, UST-12, K-20, K-30, K-50, K-60, K-80 >Mason & Hamlin: 50 >Petrof: 115, 125, 131 (or equivalent Weinbach) >Schimmel: 120, 122, 124, 130 >Steinway: 1098, K >Yamaha: P-22, U-1, U-3, U-5 >3) Vendors may submit bids on pianos not listed above, which they believe >to be of equivalent quality. The selection committee will determine whether >such pianos meet Music Department criteria. >4) While price will be a major consideration, actual selection of >instruments for purchase will be made by audition. The selection committee >will examine instruments individually to determine which will meet the >needs of the department, based on considerations of tone, response, and >character. Vendors should plan to provide an opportunity for this audition >process. >5) The Music Department wishes to have a variety of instruments for >educational purposes. Hence, it is likely that purchases will be made from >more than one vendor. >6) Used pianos may be offered, provided they are in like new condition, and >are less than ten years old. > For the audition portion of the selection of pianos, I would like to use a >committee of three. Each will audition each piano, and will rate each piano >on a rating sheet as follows: >1) Tone quality: unacceptable (0), satisfactory (1), very good (2), >outstanding (3) [written comments] >2) Dynamic range: unacceptable (0), satisfactory (1), very good (2), >outstanding (3) [written comments] >3) Responsiveness of action: unacceptable (0), satisfactory (1), very good >(2), outstanding (3) [written comments] >4) Overall impression of piano: unacceptable (0), satisfactory (1), very >good (2), outstanding (3) [written comments] >We would then do a numerical average to rate the various pianos, and >collate that with price to make the actual selection. > I'll let you know how this works. We are hoping to complete the process in >January or February. >Regards, >Fred Sturm >University of New Mexico >_______________________________________________ >caut list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
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