[CAUT] caut Digest, Vol 1090, Issue 3

[Robert Murphy]

Paul, Rick et al,

I second this approach.  As much as working in a College/University setting can sometimes 
feel like negotiating 
through a minefield, the trick is to find a way to both do the job of working on pianos and 
not get blown off 
course (or worse!) in the process.  Some of the sagest advice I have learned working 
alongside fellow CAUT 
colleagues John Cavanaugh at Oberlin Conservatory and [formerly] Bill Schneider at Michigan 
State University is, 
when approaching the Chair/Director/Dean with a problem, also bring along a possible 
solution(s).  These folks 
are [understandably] busy "putting out fires" in their respective areas and usually welcome 
suggestions - at 
times, creative ones.  But, when they then later offer their OWN solution - and it was one that 
you presented 
earlier - bite your tongue and say, "Why that's a brilliant idea!"

Also, have you contacted Richard West?  I'll best he has some ideas of how to negotiate the 
issues and the 
players.  It sounds like this single repair is the least of your concerns compared to arguing 
for a larger annual 
parts/service budget along with a capital purchase proposal - as Rick pointly out.  Lastly, 
have you contacted 
the "expert" the faculty is recommending bringing in?... he/she may turn out to be just that 
in this instance, in 
more ways than just working on your fortepiano.

All best,
Robert

Robert A. Murphy, R.P.T.
Piano Technician & Curator of Fortepianos
Oberlin Conservatory of Music
Office: (440) 775-8275
Cell:   (517) 285-3269 

----- Original Message -----
From: Rick.Florence at asu.edu
Date: Monday, September 18, 2006 10:13 pm
Subject: Re: [CAUT] caut Digest, Vol 1090, Issue 3
To: College and University Technicians <caut at ptg.org>

> Wim, I don't think I would choose to marginalize my position with the
> Director/Chair.  If we wish to be the respected professional whose 
> opinions are
> valued, then we need to play the part, not run away from the 
> opportunity.  It is
> true that the decision may not be ours to make, but we SHOULD be 
> called upon for
> our expertise in ALL keyboard matters and be available with an 
> educatedrecommendation.
> 
> Paul, gather up your information, present a few possible 
> alternatives, recommend
> the one you feel is best, and ask the Director in which direction 
> (s)he wishes
> to proceed.  This may be a good time to put together a capital 
> purchase proposal
> as well.  The keyboard faculty will be your strongest ally, or your 
> worst enemy.
> Use this opportunity to push for a win-win situation for both camps
> (piano/fortepiano) and you'll begin to build a rewarding working 
> relationshipwith your colleagues.
> 
> If we fail to participate and act proactively in these types of 
> situations we
> will simply be the "tuner" who is easily replaced and 
> underappreciated, both
> personally and financially.
> 
> Carpe diem!
> 
> 
> Rick
> 
> ________________
> Rick Florence
> Senior Piano Technician
> Arizona State University, School of Music
> 
> 
> Quoting Willem Blees <wblees at bama.ua.edu>:
> 
> > Paul
> > 
> > It me took me a while, but I now refer those difficult questions 
> to 
> > the people who are paid to make difficult decisions. Lay this 
> problem 
> > on the desk of the piano chairman or the department chairman. I 
> would 
> > go so far as to not even offer my recommendation. That leaves you 
> > completely out of the decision making process. 
> > 
> > Wim 
> > Willem Blees, RPT
> > Piano Tuner/Technician
> > School of Music
> > University of Alabama
> > Tuscaloosa, AL USA
> > 
> > 
> > Quoting Paul T Williams <pwilliams4 at unlnotes.unl.edu>:
> > 
> > > Hi List,
> > > 
> > > Some of my greenish hue is starting to wear off on being a 
> CAUT, but
> > > on 
> > > budget matters with piano faculty, in particular, I shine brighter
> > > that 
> > > the emerald city!!  We have 105 keyboard instruments here at 
> the 
> > > university, one of them being a Belt forte-piano about 25 years 
> old.> 
> > > The 
> > > professor who plays it primarily is demanding a major 
> rehabilitation> > to it 
> > > which will require some outside help with my assisting this 
> outside 
> > > expert.  The estimated cost of bringing this "expert" in will take
> > > over 
> > > 28% of my yearly budget.  The instrument is used in concert 6-8
> > times
> > > per 
> > > year as compared to our 3 Steinway D's, 1 concert Baldwin and 3
> > > Steinway 
> > > B's which are used constantly.
> > > 
> > > Some of the other faculty are up in arms about using the piano
> > budget
> > > and 
> > > insist that this is a "special project" and should use "special
> > > funds" 
> > > like grants and the like.  Of course I agree strongly both 
> ways!  It
> > > is a 
> > > university instrument, so it should use university funds.  On the
> > > other 
> > > hand it is used so infrequently, that I can't see using a huge 
> slice> > of my 
> > > pie.  On the third hand, one of my responsibilities is to see 
> to it
> > > that 
> > > all instruments are happy.
> > > 
> > > Having such a limited budget as I do, if I had to replace a good
> > > quality 
> > > grand, (not even concert level), I would be spending far more than
> > > one 
> > > year's budget, leaving all other instruments on hold until next 
> year> > 
> > > whatever the need may be.INCLUDING the concert instruments.
> > > So I ask for a bit of seasoned advise from you all.  How have you
> > > handled 
> > > such delemmas? Thanks for your help.
> > > 
> > > Here I am, stuck in the middle with you.....
> > > 
> > > Paul T. Williams RPT
> > > University of Nebraska-Lincoln
> > > 
>