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Did anyone attend the PTG's Mid-Atlantic regional convention the last weekend in April in Harrisburg, PA? Any interesting news or presentations?

Yes, I did. I was wondering if anyone would post about it. It was excellent--we had the opportunity to take 10 classes over 2.5 days with some very fine and accomplished techs (most of whom were also good teachers!). I wish I could have taken every class, but in some cases I had to choose between several that appealed to me. I definitely came back with renewed enthusiasm for learning my craft. Also lots of interesting stuff going on in the Exhibit Hall, book signings, door prizes, etc. I didn't think I won anything, but a few days after I got home I got a box of Dampp-Chaser pads in the mail. I thought it was a mistake, but it turned out I won them in a draw!

The MARC was, once again, a class act. It is the best run Convention, if you ask me. That is why they are always able to draw in so many top notch presenters which brings in a lot of attendees.

They feed you and give you treats & snacks and coffee, among other perks. I was happy to be able to meet some techs I had only met online here on PW (Hi Anne, Hi Kenny) as well as a lot of students from NBSS and UWO.

They raffled off a ticket to attend the Europiano convention and tour the Petrof factory. The draw was pretty exciting. The first person drawn had already gone home (too bad - you have to be present to win) the second person drawn could not go (no passport) but finally a winner was drawn.

I had a great time there as well, and it was a pleasure to see Jurgen again and have Anne as a new friend. My favorite class, and the reason I registered last October with enthusiasm, was Steve Brady's full-day class on concert prep of pianos (and pianists -- there may be more dissonances to cope with than just the ones in the pianos). I've already been able to use the information Steve gave in order to make a piano more playable for a concert this past weekend. And I got a new tuning hammer -- I always seem to get a new tuning hammer!

Dorrie Bell
Bell's Piano Service
Boston, MA

A few thoughts on MARC...

I thought David Snyder had one of the nicest Stwy M's I've ever heard; really brings a great name to quality rebuilding. This piano also featured the relatively new LX player system, which seems to be designed with the music connoisseur in mind.

It was great to see the work that Bill Shul, Lawrence Libin and Larry Buck are doing on the importance of documenting historical instruments.

David Stanwood has an unbelievably new clever contraption for changing the key proportion/leverage on a piano action.

It's difficult to keep up with WNG and the genius of Bruce Clark with their exciting new product line of action parts and supplies.

Chris Brown of Concord Piano has designed an amazing action bench which will be manufactured by Mike Morvin of Blackstone Valley Key.

Roger Jolly and friends brought their new 5'3" Knabe. Klavierhaus had a wonderfully restored Stwy D.

Great friends, classes, exhibits, food and libations...much more that I missed, I’m sure. Compliments to the MARC staff.

Hello Jude,
Welcome to Piano World. Piano World, let me introduce you to Jude. His business Absolute Piano specializes in high quality rebuilds and repairs. As well, Jude also fabricates soundboards and does other custom work for piano technicians in the right half of the country, geographically speaking.

Most importantly, Jude is not only a well seasoned piano technician, he is also a very decent human being.

I hope the exposure to PW doesn't change that... :^)