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Order#: NY1497153
Chief Instrument Technician
Responsibilities GENERAL PURPOSE: Directs piano technology services at Eastman School of Music (ESM). Oversees piano technology projects. Provides technical, artistic and teaching support at the professional level at the Eastman School of Music. Works on Piano related projects as an independent specialist. Oversee all pianos are tuned as appropriate and as necessary.
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Project Management:
Supervises/delegates the work of Piano tuners and student and other assistants in maintenance and repair of ESM pianos. Plans workload schedules for piano technicians. Creates and maintains recordkeeping on all ESM pianos (date of purchase/receipt, records of repair, conditions of pianos, dates of tuning), all equipment and on an inventory of parts. Redesign action geometry and other specialized operations such as computer analysis for string scaling redesign, geometry and metrology, fabrication of new parts, and extensive rebuilding. Supervision & Delegation of Work:
Delegates and oversees all tuning and maintenance requirements of these instruments with the needs of artistic faculty, visiting artists, and graduate and undergraduate students in the recital halls, teaching studios, practice rooms, and other venues outside of the Eastman complex.
Delegate and oversees rebuilding projects, and requisitions materials and supplies, maintaining a stock of replacement parts and supplies.
Faculty & Artist Collaboration:
Develops and Maintains projects plans with the Dept Chair and other faculty in the Piano Department. Attends monthly meetings with the Chair(s) of the Piano Department. Fields frequent after hours calls from piano faculty. Collaborates with faculty and guest artists to solve problems related to specific artistic needs in tonal voicing, touch regulation, tuning and temperament. Instrument Acquisition & Asset Management:
Advises and determines purchase of new pianos and disposal of old pianos based on knowledge and conferring with faculty.
Advises on needed pianos, evaluates those in inventory; maintains records of market value of ESM pianos for insurance and replacement purposes.
Travels to manufacturers to oversee and direct piano purchases.
Maintains relationships with outside manufacturing representatives, vendors, and technical representatives.
Communicates regularly with piano manufacturers and sales staff.
Hosts and coordinates technical visitors to the facilities.
Oversees donation of pianos and the review of their condition.
Oversees the inspections of historic pianos; researches and provides detailed reports to administration.
Subject-Matter Expertise & Professional Development
Responsible for being the subject matter expert and staying up with current trends in the field of piano technology by reading professional journals, attending seminars, and maintaining international contacts and bringing new knowledge and training to Eastman & to other technicians. Searches literature for reference to technical problems and their solutions and assists in the preparation of materials for publication. Leads as the subject matter expert for a wide variety of shop equipment related to musical instrument repair and rebuilding, and technical expertise in fine woodworking skills, testing equipment and apparatus such as cutting tools and other analytical devices. Other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's degree in Piano Technology required 5 years of experience in Piano Technology/tuning required or equivalent combination of education and experience required Piano Tuning, woodworking, ability to lead and deploy work, instruct staff on daily/weekly tasks required Registered Piano Technician with Piano Technician Guild preferred