The Piano Technology Program at Western University

The Piano Technology Program at
Western University
By Anne Fleming-Read
Since its founding in 1878,Western
University has been a world leader in
several areas of research and academic
study. Each year over 30,000 students
from around the globe enroll in a variety of undergraduate and graduate
programs. In particular, the Don Wright
Faculty of Music at Western has a long
history as one of the best musical environments in Canada.
Western University’s piano technology certificate program is a full-time
one-year (two academic terms) program,
balancing the theoretical and historical
underpinnings of the discipline with the
practice of the modern technician.This
program provides a small, select group of
14 students from around the world with
the highest quality materials, resources
and experiences necessary for education in piano technology in an optimum
environment. As their skills develop students have the opportunity to be directly
involved with professional performances.
They also acquire a unique quality of experiences designed to meet the increasing expectation that discerning clients,
including industry leaders themselves,
have of piano technicians.
The demanding 60 to 70 hour week
provides students with an intense program to develop the skills required to be
a successful piano technician working
in institutions, dealerships, shops and as
independent entrepreneurs. Their education is further enhanced through field
trips to Steinway & Sons and the Mason
& Hamlin factories, museums, specialty
wood shops and large piano dealerships.
Piano industry representatives visit
Western to work with the students in the
piano shop at Western. Western’s graduates are found working in major colleges
and universities throughout Canada and
the United States, dealerships and institutions worldwide and running successful independent businesses.
28 Piano Technicians Journal / February 2014
Anne Fleming-Read demonstrates bass string replacement to the class.
Students practice vertical regulation skills.
Damon Groves (Western University’s class of 2008) began ing Yo-Yo Ma and his pianist Kathryn Stott, Chick Corea,Yeworking on pianos in 2003 during an internship with the fim Bronfman and András Schiff. His recording credits include
University of Colorado’s head technician while completing his labels such as Chandos and Deutsche Grammophon.
bachelor of arts degree. After investigating several piano techSome of Damon’s best experiences at the Royal Consernician programs, Damon applied to Western in 2007 to benefit vatory of Music include meeting his childhood idol, Emanuel
from the exceptional faculty and the program’s collaboration Ax. Mr.Ax was especially pleased with Damon's preparation of
with the faculty of music. He says that he knew he had made Koerner Hall's Hamburg Steinway concert grand, which kept
the right decision when during the third day of classes, Da- Damon smiling for weeks. He recalls voicing for a full hour
mon and his fellow students dropped an upright piano while with Alfred Brendel, who insisted that every note be of exact
moving it through a lobby. The head tuning instructor, Don equal volume, including the una corda. Since Mr. Brendel was
Stephenson, assured the
performing Beethoven,
students that despite the
he did not require the
damage, this should be seen
bottom half-octave, but
as an opportunity to learn.
commented “these notes
This philosophy is very
are too loud, so if you have
beneficial in a profession
nothing else to do some
that requires continuous
day....” Damon enjoys getlearning and an open mind.
ting to know the artists,
After completing his Piano
laughing that he once
Technology Certificate in
offered his center-pin cut2008, Damon was offered
ters to Jonathan Biss to use
an internship for the Aspen
for clipping his fingernails
Summer Music Festival
before a concert.
2008 season. Damon was
He has also created
one of three piano technithe informal, hands-on
cian interns at the festival,
Piano Technology Workwhere he learned from
shop at the RCM, which
master concert techniis geared towards gifted
cians and attended as many
young musicians who
concerts as possible. That Damon Groves voicing the concert piano in Koerner Hall, RCM.
are interested in learning
summer, with the encourmore about piano history,
agement of Richard West, RPT, Damon passed all three tests construction and how the instrument works.
to become an RPT, something he is proud of to this day. At
Damon says, “I am extremely thankful to remain closely
the end of his summer internship he accepted a piano techni- connected to Western's program, and will always be indebted
cian position at the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) in to the great faculty who helped launch my career.”
Toronto.
To learn more about the Piano Technology Program at
Damon has been at the RCM for five years and in his cur- Western University including curriculum, fees and application
rent position he manages the 100-piano inventory and acts as information please visit www.pianotech.uwo.ca or contact
concert technician for the new Koerner Hall. Damon has had Anne Fleming-Read, Coordinator, Piano Technology Prothe opportunity to work with the world’s finest artists includ- gram,Western University at [email protected]. n
February 2014 / Piano Technicians Journal 29