[CAUT] Reasonable job descriptions

[Willem Blees]

When it comes down to it, if you know anything about the politics of a music department/school, the piano technician's rating will be based mostly on the opinion of the piano professors, and specifically the head of the piano department/area. When the piano professors are happy with the job the tuner is doing, then all is well within the department. Unfortunately, as I discovered, when the chair is a 50 year tenured professor who is incompetent and/or totally ignorant of what constitutes a good sounding and playing piano, then the technician he/she will recommend will be the "good ol' boy", who learned how to toon a piano from a matchbook cover school, and has absolutely no technical ability. The political clout these old professors are tremendous, especially when they know alumni with money.  

Do I still sound bitter?  

Wim

-----Original Message-----
From: Ed Sutton <ed440 at mindspring.com>
To: College and University Technicians <caut at ptg.org>
Sent: Mon, 8 Sep 2008 12:53 pm
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Reasonable job descriptions



First the bad stuff, then the good stuff-

 

Concepts of what constitutes a piano technician are largely based on local folklore, exacerbated by the fact that many state universities are located in small towns, and have a symbiotic economy with the good old folks of the area. I quote: "Well, with that Accutuner I don't see any reason why Henry's boy couldn't do as good enough of a job of tuning pianos as anybody else."  Henry's boy=2
0needs a job and the school wants to save money, and he thinks of a tuner in the same class as a janitor, good work for some old down home feller, sharing a little bit of the budget with the neighbors. This is the way of thinking we need to change.

 

Meanwhile, here's a quote from Paul Williams, a few days ago: ".... For a good point, our percussion professor, who is charge of all the student convos. invited me to come in for the meet and greet introduction to the freshmen.  I was able to tell everyone what I do and to keep all the stuff off the pianos.  He continued after my very short rant as to what I REALLY do for nearly 4-5 minutes!!  What a wonderful thing this was!!  I was not expecting this at all.  He really does appreciate what I do and what the pianos are worth etc,...."

 

Professors are more likely to listen to other professors, especially professors from well-rated schools. I suggest that CAUT promo material should always contain some up-beat, (up-grade) quotes from school directors and professors. Maybe Paul can get a write-up from the percussion teacher, and maybe many people on the list can get similar quotes from academics.

 

Ed Sutton


----- Original Message ----- 

From: Jim Busby 

To: College and University Technicians 

Sent: Monday, September 08, 2008 6:05 PM

Subject: Re: [CAUT] Reasonable job descriptions





Paul,

 

Yes, we have 400 pianos, but we do get free tuition and ½ for our20kids. There are 2 fulltime techs, one part time, and usually about 4 students. I agree with you.

 

My main point was that there are dozens of techs out there who would come in and take my job for less money, and only the top artists would really know a difference between excellent and “good” or “OK”. To me that’s what is sad. That’s why I can’t see how to make headway in the salary thing w/o a CAUT credential or something like it. And a solidarity thing, which is kind of what I thought you were alluding to, would also be pointless. Or, maybe today is one of those days that I shouldn’t think about it and just get back to work.

 

Regards,

Jim

 

p.s. Yeah, Dave Ramsey is now one of my heroes.  2 more years for my “yell”.

 


From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Paul T Williams
Sent: Monday, September 08, 2008 3:41 PM
To: College and University Technicians
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Reasonable job descriptions


 


Jim, 

That's clearly not enough $! (it's more than me tho, but I've only been here 2 years)  Don't you guys have hundreds of pianos?  How many per tech?  Do you have full tuition for your kids? I know Oberlin does and some of them have several kids!  I would be much happier with my salary if UNL could offer at least that.  I know my dream is just that and the average Joe has no clue what a good tuning is,20but performers do, especially at the university level which is one reason why we should be so much more compensated for our talents.  If universities require so much experience with concert level tech ability, then they should cough up the bucks and pay for it.  Their reputation is on the line. There's got to be a way to open these folks eyes to see what they have to lose, but I don't know what it is..... 

Hang in there and get out of debt!! I like listening to Dave Ramsey on the radio. He's got great strategies... 

Still in debt myself! 

Paul 









Jim Busby <jim_busby at byu.edu> 
Sent by: caut-bounces at ptg.org 

09/08/2008 04:20 PM 





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