[CAUT] [Files] Banff Centre FYI (OT)

[Kent Swafford]

The Banff Centre for the Arts is kind of a unique place, and has  
played a
beneficial role in the development of many CAUT's over the years.

So I thought I might share a bit of background and some photos with the
list, if that's alright...and /or until the webmaster shuts me down.

The Music & Sound Program at the Banff Centre is decades old, and a
world-class self-directed professional development destination for  
musicians
and audio technicians from all continents. (well at least six of them  
from
my count last week.)

The current piano shop has been directed by several of our colleagues,
including Otto Keyes, Ted Sambell, Denis Brassard and now Albert  
Picknell,
as resident technicians.

There are currently 102 pianos on site, supporting music & sound, opera,
ballet and other programs. Standards are very high, and the demands are
unique, for at least two reasons:

1.) Every performance is recorded, everytime, all the time. This affords
excellent training for work-studies in the audio program, but  
requires daily
attention for the pianos at a number of venues.

2.) A program of high level pianists can require 40 or more pianos  
all at
rehearsal level condition for up to a six week period... and then  
they're
gone.

And here's a third:

3.) For some reason, we insist on providing individual rehearsal  
spaces out
in the woods in heated huts for some of our program participants (See
photos), all year long, (I've witnessed 40 below there in January!)

FYI, here are some photos of the location. The Music & Sound Building  
sits
on the Banff Centre campus looking west over the Banff townsite from  
Tunnel
Mountain.

West, just across the Bow River is the famous Banff Springs Hotel, and
Sulphur Mountain, source of the hot springs, and location of the scenic
gondola. On the East side of Tunnel Mountain is the Banff Springs golf
course.

Anyone who has attended a PTG event in Banff will understand how the
beautiful setting really enhances the artisitic and creative process. As
piano technicians, we are creative and artistic in our own right,  
aren't we?
It's healthy to have some natural influence in our workplace, even if  
it's
just a regulating bench by the window, with NPR playing in the  
background.

Mark Cramer,
Brandon University


Photos at:

http://tinyurl.com/pdqak
http://tinyurl.com/llq2o
http://tinyurl.com/p6gjs
http://tinyurl.com/q2mft
http://tinyurl.com/oaanr

Direct ptg.org URLs:

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