We do many things to help support the piano community, and I think we make an impact. We recently joined Facebook to better share our business because we really do have a lot going on. We support community events like Gwinnett Piano Ensemble, we host meetings for the Piano Technicians Guild, but I also notice as I spend time with our friends on Facebook just how many have pictures in our store, at our pianos, and at our events as moments important to their lives.
Last weekend was the Gwinnett Piano Ensemble Concert held at Lawrenceville Church of God…
Not long ago, I got an interesting phone call. A local teacher had booked a photographer for her and her fiance. They wanted to have part of that session here at PianoWorks because the piano is so central to who she is. The photos, taken in our performance hall, turned out wonderful.
As I make more friends on Facebook with our customers and area teachers, I see so many photos from the hundreds of recitals we host every year. I’m proud of our role in creating positive memories for so many people.
It is not uncommon for a piano store to host a local chapter meeting of the Piano Technicians Guild; we usually host a couple each year. We often host these meetings in our Restoration facility which provides interesting opportunities for technical programs at these meetings.
Much of our impact on our community is hard to measure. Not long ago I captured a video of one of our customers visiting our store and just playing pianos for his pleasure. We’re always flattered when our customers remember us and stop by to visit. Not all of them are as talented as Dr. Sarzen, but they are working at it!
Last weekend was the Gwinnett Piano Ensemble Concert held at Lawrenceville Church of God. We brought in 4 grand pianos and a professional upright to all be placed on stage for this concert. Most songs had 2 players on each piano (and one song had 3!) and a conductor leading the keyboard orchestra. This is our 5th year supporting this endeavor which brings so many students and teachers together. Ensemble performance is a unique challenge for an instrument that is usually solo. But before the performance, we also provided rehearsal spaces and instruments for weeks of practice leading up to the concert. The concert has great attendence as you will see in the video.
Today, the PianoWorks delivery truck and custom trailer were all loaded up to deliver 6 pianos to Florida State University. FSU has many aging practice room instruments in their prestigious music school and they selected 6 of our PianoWorks certified pre-owned pianos for both their performance and value. We appreciate their business as well as their confidence that our pre-owned pianos meet their high standards.
The instruments they selected were a variety of late-model professional studio uprights made by Yamaha and Kawai. The technicians at FSU appreciate the durability and serviceability of these established piano designs. We work hard to find the best examples of the top series models from these and other brands and then preparing them for their new owners. This isn’t the first time FSU has selected our instruments. Last year, they purchased even more similar instruments for the same purpose. FSU also has used our restoration services for many of the larger Steinway pianos in their music department. We look forward to our continued relationship with this fine institution in developing the next generation of professional musicians and teachers.
On the Saturday before the opening of the Music China Fair in Shanghai, a multinational team of piano designers is crowded around a hand-carved piano at the Hailun Piano factory in Ningbo, 175 miles to the south. The special edition concert grand with its images of Chinese landscapes carved in rosewood will be the centerpiece of Hailun’s exhibit at the show. Voicing specialist Sibin Zlatkovic is making his final adjustments to its exposed strings while the rest of the team looks on.
“We did this kind of work at Bösendorfer,” says Basilios Strmec, an Austrian who is now president Hailun USA. “This is a gorgeous piano, all hand-carved. It took 19 months to build.”
The showpiece piano represents a first step into the luxury piano market for Hailun, whose mid-priced instruments have taken hold throughout North America and Europe as well in as the domestic Chinese market. Last year the brand received worldwide exposure in the form of a red lacquered grand piano built for ceremonies in the run-up to the Beijing Olympic Games.
After the Music China Fair, Hailun’s hand-carved concert grand, called Dreams of the East, sold to a Chinese businessman for $347,000
Hailun’s goal is to build into a global brand that is recognized for its quality and its acceptance among serious musicians in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. We intend to focus on continually improving the quality of our instruments both in production and musicality- and remain an innovative company. An important part of our brand goal is to extend open arms to musicians and develop a visible artist program. Ultimately, Hailun wants to reach out and be able to serve the stages of concert halls and recording studios with instruments that stun musicians and music connoisseurs of every musical persuasion.
Saturday night I caught the redeye flight out of LAX and meandered my way back to Atlanta. Low on sleep, my father and I prepared our showroom for a visit by an area church considering a new instrument for their sanctuary. No rest for the weary traveler, but then NAMM was worth it. I even have a few pictures to share.
Between my laptop, camera, video camera and cellphone, I found it difficult to weild the right media weapon. No, I don’t have a smartphone yet, but perhaps next year. The bigger picture is that what I really needed was my own crew of photographers and cameramen, because everywhere I looked was something I wanted to share later. I don’t know what notions you may have about the music industry, but the NAMM Show encourages all kinds, all ages.
Mixed among the Suits (I wore a sportscoat) are crowds of blue jeans, leather and even some spandex. I admit that some outfits really got my attention, but I loved that people could relax or dress for full effect. This young lady dressed for full effect.
And I continue to walk around the main floor of the showroom and I look to my right and see “Weird” Al Yankovic and think to myself, “No, she was weirder.”
Okay, so besides the people watching, there was some great music. I spent a few hours at the Estonia Piano booth to conduct business as well as help develop content for their new YouTube Channel. Dr. Indrek Laul is both the owner and a very accomplished pianist.
Some other great musicians stopped by, so check the Estonia Piano Channel for videos to come.
There is also a stage in the lobby near the main entrance, and throughout the day, performers rev up the crowd. NAMM organizers do a great job of inviting a good variety of performers. PRS Guitars presented Orianthi and I snapped a few pictures.
On another day, Wicked Tinkers started our day. They brought their kilts and drums and put on a great show.
NAMM attracts musicians at every turn who just enjoy performing like these two guys who brought a battery-powered setup to play on the sidewalk outside the Anaheim Convention Center.
You can also checkout PianoWorks Channel on YouTube for related videos.
Normally, an update like this doesn’t merit commentary. More of our piano lamps are now considered “Green” in California. This is good for our customers and vendors alike. We are pleased because it seems, for now, logic is gaining ground in legislation. Three cheers!
Many House of Troy LED lamps were briefly listed as non-compliant with the new California Title 20. Now, apparently, they are okay again. At the root of this problem must have been failed communication between scientists and legislators or legislators and manufacturers. We commend them for arriving at a solution. Basic science tells us that LED lights are much more energy efficient than old technology and should be included in energy-saving mandates. We don’t know how the problem was solved. We don’t know if the lamps were re-tested, the restrictions were improved or if it was simply a clerical error. And sometimes this is how things seem to work, for better or worse.
So the great Oz said, “LED is not good enough,” but just 11 days later he commanded “Send LED piano lamps to earnest customers everywhere!”
That only leaves first generation CFL lamps like House of Troy P10-191-61C on our restricted in California list. Sorry Californians; it is a lovely style. Back to the drawing board.
Next Thursday, my father and I will forgo necessary sleep and catch a painfully early flight out of Atlanta for a good cause, Winter NAMM 2010. I feel it is for a good cause, though not charitable in the usual sense. NAMM is a music trade show, THE music trade show, the biggest in the world. But this trade show has a musical soul.
Okay, so NAMM is actually a fantastic organization with cool members and a social conscience; NAMM works year-round (over 100 years worth of work) to bring together the world’s music makers, innovators and business leaders. NAMM, the organization, hosts Winter NAMM 2010, the event that I’m giving up so many precious Zzzz’s for.
I’ve been a few times now, but it is hardly routine. We hustle across the huge grounds with more distractions than the Las Vegas Strip to make our appointments. Imagine all instrument manufacturers, from trombones to drums to drum machines to sitars to synthesizers…and pianos in one place. They can fit a ton of guitars in a booth but pianos are big! Let’s talk pianos: Bosendorfer and Bechstein and Estonia and Mason & Hamlin and Schimmel, Sauter, Seiler, Steingraeber, Samick, Sohmer, (maybe I’ll just hang out in the letter “S” pianos?) Story & Clark, Steinway is nearby…. Now multiply that by every other instrument. Oh, and don’t forget all the sheet music publishers, the stage lighting and effects, recording studio outfitters, software, and anything else you might need a treble clef for. Take a breath and then fill those booths, hallways and hotels with passionate musicians of all levels.
Nearly everyone there plays…so jam sessions spontaneously erupt all around you. The famous and the rest of us get together, and we believe in music.
On a previous trip, I spent an hour shuttle ride from the airport getting to know the drummer from Matisyahu. I enjoyed that. At the same show, I went back to Bosendorfer’s booth at the end of the day to find a bench and rest my feet. Valentina Lisitsa stopped by, we closed the doors and enjoyed a private concert for about 15 of us. She played for over 20 minutes, so cautious and curious passersby were drawn to her, and the crowd slowly grew. That was special for us.
There is much trade at the trade show, but a bigger accomplishment for the industry is how NAMM serves to energize our people. NAMM focuses the passion that brought us to the business of helping others make music. That is special for us.
This is a difficult topic for me to report on because I am not fully informed about all new aspects of California’s Title 20, but this policy is created as a “Green Law” so my first reaction is to support it. I have to plan for some changes in an effort to help my customers be more energy efficient in their choices. What for now seems like California news may soon be national policy anyway. In the short term, we will only be able to ship certain models of piano lamps to California, but our vendors have already started the process of compliance to include more styles.
Unfortunately, the models most affected by this policy are actually the more energy efficient choices that do not meet the definitions within Title 20. The target of the law is incandescent bulbs that can be replaced by more energy efficient compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs). The initial cost of these bulbs is much higher, but they have shown both a return on investment in long-term energy savings and overall price reductions as consumer demand for the new bulbs increases production efficiencies. Our best selling piano lamps from House of Troy currently use CFLs, and are very energy efficient, but they pre-date the definitions used in Title 20. The LED piano lamps, our most efficient models are also excluded for now. When they find compliant lights, we’ll opt for those.
We can make most of the lamps that previously used incandescent bulbs compliant right away simply by switching to approved CFLs. I will make this a preferred option on our site, but it is more expensive. Consider yourself warned. For other piano lamps, I’ll have to determine which ones comply and perhaps include a California disclaimer until our vendors catch up. I’ve already switched most of the bulbs in my home to CFLs which I think is a good and simple act. I also like the Energy Star washing machine commercial…or from their site, “Over the life of your new washer, you’ll save enough money to pay for the matching dryer.” The same savings can come from lighting choices.
From House of Troy:
On January 1, 2010 California Title 20 requirements for portable lighting will go into effect. It is part of a state mandate issued by the California Energy Commission to reduce average state-wide energy consumption not less than 50% from 2007 levels for indoor residential lighting. This is, in effect, the demise of the incandescent bulb in favor of more energy efficient light sources. “Title 20 is the law,” says Dick Upton, president of the American Lighting Association. “The best thing people can do is to look at the issue and see how they can use it to their advantage.” ALA worked closely with the California Energy Commission staff to develop five compliant energy efficient light source options for all portable lamps.
At House of Troy we have begun to modify our products to meet CEC requirements. We will add the Energy Star rated CFL bulbs wherever possible. There are many LED products currently on the market that would seem to be excellent and efficient options, however the current LED requirements of Title 20 are so stringent that they do not qualify.
A federal energy bill that recently passed the U.S. House and will go under Senate consideration this month will likely imitate Title 20, in making these requirements national. Clark Linstone of Pacific Coast Lighting in California, says the state’s role in the issue of energy efficient lighting “presents a real challenge to local retailers and manufacturers. A federal bill would help level the playing field.”
On a personal note, I welcome the change though I would prefer it originate from consumers and businesses, not government mandates. We’ll do our part to educate our customers and support Green choices.
With this year’s holiday season fast approaching, we are all mindful of our budget. Even fiscal conservatives wish to make generous gifts to loved ones, but thoughtful gifts are at a premium over lavish ones. When considering the pianist in your life, buy them a light for their piano and they will always remember you. Piano lamps give necessary reading light for sheet music just like a favorite book, and House of Troy builds the best.
Not only is a piano light a helpful gift, it is a long-lasting gift.
Not many gifts will be seen and used so often. Your gift will become
part of their experience every time they sit down to play their
favorite music. Music may change, but it never goes out of style.
Truthfully, not enough people consider light for their music in the same way they light their favorite reading spot. Whether you read the paper at the breakfast table (where you probably have bright overhead lighting) or a cozy book nook you will make sure you have the light you need to avoid eyestrain. Reading music is the same, and for a piano, lighting is all about getting the proper reach. As simple as a lamp is, the right light can make all the difference.
House of Troy makes many kinds of lamps and lights including specialty lighting. They are an industry leader for proper lighting of artwork, quality desk lamps and of course, piano lamps. Their upright piano lamps come in a variety of styles not only for the right look, but also for the right style of piano, even digital pianos!
Grand and baby grand pianos provide a different problem of reach. House of Troy offers both Clip-On lamps which attach directly to the music desk and Balance Arm lamps which set neatly on the the music desk’s side.
They also make long arm piano floor lamps that work for both piano types.
Contact us about fulfilling this year’s list with the right piano lamp.
This last Monday, PianoWorks hosted yet another function for the local music community. Many young pianists get their training through the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), a popular curriculum that is growing in our area. At the end of each grade level is an official exam for the students to pass in order to advance. Much hard work goes into these exams and we provide both space and performance level pianos for the students. On Monday, the students tested on Bosendorfer and Schimmel pianos.
We hear often that our pianos and the environment we provide really gives piano teachers confidence that their students will be able to perform. Many of the students are too nervous to comment on the pianos, but they keep coming back. One of the last exams of the day was for a nice young man ready to move from grade 5 to 6. While waiting, he, his mother and sister engaged us about several of our pianos. The mother asked Chad, “So which is the very best?” Chad directed them over to a Bosendorfer model 225 semi-concert grand and after just a few minutes with the piano, they were full of questions. I obliged to continue the tour and open the discussion to more pianos because I believe that “which is the best?” is a truly subjective question. The best for many people is Bosendorfer, and there is rarely any argument that another builder might be better. Mostly, I like to talk about fine pianos, celebrate their differences, and turn the question of good, better, best into one of “so which do you like?”
They really liked the Bosedorfer pianos as well as others. We had a great time. I also had my video camera handy. We were not allowed to video the actual exam, but afterward, they came back into the showroom and I recorded the exam pieces for mom. Here is one of them.
Not to be left out, his younger sister also played. It was very sweet to see her fearless in front of such a large instrument.
At mom’s request, I published these for family and friends. I look forward to helping them select a truly fine instrument when they are ready.
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