History

NOTE: Click on an instructor's name to see a bio.

Ivory

Wally Brooks, RPT

Wally Brooks, RPT

Wally BrooksWally has been a member of the Connecticut Chapter of PTG for over 50 years. He has over 30-years experience running a complete rebuilding shop including soundboard replacement, pinblock replacement, action replacement and case refinishing. Wally has instructed at over 35 national conventions and countless regional seminars and technicals. He and his wife Vivian were the recipients of the PTG 2006 Golden Hammer Award. Together they established and owned Brooks LTD, a quality rebuilding supplies & piano parts business from 1980-2008.  Brooks LTD has successfully moved into its second generation owned by Melanie Brooks since 2009.

You’ll enjoy this informative class describing the history, products manufactured of ivory, ivory piano key covering and tips on working with used ivory. With information and slides from the Historical Society of Deep River, Connecticut, and Pratt-Read & Co., hear an interesting presentation from one of the experts in the field.

Prince Albert's Erard: Restorative Conservation of a Royal's Piano

Ken Eschete, RPT

Ken Eschete, RPT, RPT

Anne GareeKen Eschete has been tuning and restoring pianos since 1974. He has held RPT membership in the Piano Technicians Guild (1976 - 2012), and membership in Australasian Piano Technicians (2011-2013). Having undergone conservation training at the Smithsonian and Colonial Williamsburg, Ken achieved Professional Associate membership in the American Institute for Conservation.

Following his initial training at North Bennett Street School, Ken started a business in his native New Orleans restoring modern and historic pianos. He went on to become Director of Keyboard Maintenance at Northwestern University in Evanston, Il., where he lead a team of technicians and served as primary concert tuner. Following his retirement from NU, Ken moved to Auckland, NZ where he was the concert tuner for Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. He is now a happy resident of Spokane, USA.

The Restoration of the Prince Albert Erard grand piano at the Smithsonian Institution, focusing on two conservation treatments that brought this piano from Balmoral Castle in Scotland to the the stage of the Smithsonian Hall of Musical Instruments. This presentation will be augmented by a discussion about the recent publication of Conservation Guidelines for Historic Pianos. The guidelines are intended to help when encountering potentially significant instruments. We technicians are on the front lines and need to know how to safeguard cultural property.