Seminars and Field Trips
Seminars
At least twice a year, there will be special one-day or half-day seminars given by well-known technicians and experts in their fields from around the country. As they are arranged, details will be given on the News and Events page. These seminars are included as part of the core curriculum for students of CSPT, and will be open to the technical public as well on a fee basis. Topics are preliminary and times are yet to be determined. The following are already committed to presentations at some time in the future:
- James Ellis, RPT: String Systems and Vibratory Theory
- Nicholas Gravagne, RPT: Action Geometry; Soundboard Design
- Don Mannino, RPT: Action Design and Centers
- Andre Bolduc, RPT and Christian Bolduc: Soundboards and Pinblocks
- Linda Marten, RPT and Timothy Dixon, RPT: Dampers, Damper Systems
- Robert Hohf, RPT: Key Leverages and Inertia
- David Hughes, RPT: Bridge Making, Design, and Capping; Case Parts Manufacturing
- Eric Schandall, RPT: TBD, from Steinway
- Isaac Sadigursky, RPT: Practical Home Repairs, Agraffes (a combined Chicago and Waukegan PTG Chapters Technical)
- David Shrader: An evening with the renowned harpsichord player and fortepianist; a discussion of tuning and the history of tuning
- Joe Swenson, Geneva International: Action design, action parts, action balance
- David Carpenter, RPT: Electronic Tuning Devices
- John McCortney: Airwave Recording Studios--piano fidelity, sound recognition, electronic filtering, partial structures and voicing
- Robert Marinelli: Pianotek Supply--key making, weighting, leveraging, metrics
- Jeff Weiler: Voicing, Organ Voicing, Symphony Center Tour
- TBD: Small Business Startup and Support
- Yolanda Silva , CPA: Accounting for Small Business
Fieldtrips
During the course of the year, CSPT will attempt to arrange fieldtrips to venues such as major musical institutions, piano manufacturers, parts makers, suppliers, and vendors. As they are arranged, details will be given below and on the News and Events page.
- Charles Walter Piano Factory
- Schaff Piano Supply (Bass String Winding and Hammer Boring)
- Symphony Center (CSO) tour
- Geneva International Corporation--distributors of Petrof and Nordiska, rebuilding and restoration facilities
- Various Rebuilding and Refinishing Shops
- Fine woodworking shops
- Local fine wood purveyors
- Local Wire Mills
- Lyon and Healy Harp Factory
- Pritzker Concert Pavilion at Millenium Park tour
