April 2025

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Welcome, Everyone

If you're reading a PTG member e-newsletter for the first time, welcome! You’re one of 119 new members that have joined since January 1. All those new faces mean new opportunities for introductions, education and sharing, which is why PTG exists. If any you have questions or needs please get in touch with your chapter president, Regional Vice President, or the PTG Office. We’re here to help.

From the Boardroom

We are pleased to announce that Aaron Ensminger will be joining the staff of PTG in July as the incoming Executive Director. After an extensive search with over 55 applicants, the Board unanimously voted to extend an invitation to Aaron to lead us in the coming years. Aaron has served as the Executive Director of the National Auctioneer’s Association and will bring those years of experience with him as he partners with PTG going forward. Aaron will be attending the PTG convention in Des Moines in July. There will be several opportunities to get to know him in person during that week.

Norman Cantrell, President

2025 PTG Convention &

Technical Institute

Convention Registration Is Open!

July 16-19

Iowa Events Center and Hilton Des Moines Downtown

Des Moines, Iowa

Check out these quick links to start planning your

2025 PTG Convention & Technical Institute experience.

Registration

Institute Classes

Hotel Reservations

Exams

Sponsors and Exhibitors

Visit convention.ptg.org for updates and new items.

Find out why people love coming to PTG conventions!


Special Offer for First-Time Convention Attendees

PTG members can save $300 on any 2025 registration. You must call 913-432-9975 to register at the First-Timer Rate. 


Save Money

Convention Roommate Connection community is available for those interested in sharing rooms. Check out the Convention Rideshare Connection community if you'd like to carpool.

PTGF Convention Scholarships Deadline April 30

Are you hoping to take your final RPT Exam at the 2025 PTG Convention and Technical Institute in Des Moines, IA? The PTGF Convention Scholarship is for you! The Piano Technicians Guild Foundation offers scholarships each year to members intending to take their final RPT examination during the Convention. The scholarships provide individual recipients with funds for the convention registration fee and the applicant’s choice of either the PTG Technical Exam or Tuning Exam. Up to eight scholarships are awarded annually. Applications are due by April 30. Visit ptgfoundation.org/outreach/scholarships for details and to apply online.

2025 MTNA Minneapolis

It was an exciting time at the Music Teachers National Association convention this year in Minneapolis as PTG took full advantage of the opportunity to reach out to teachers, college students, and even other exhibitors as we provided referrals for piano care, highlighted our online Teacher Resource Area and shared info about becoming a piano technician. Teacher Relations Chair Russ Hilderbrand, RPT, CWRVP Torger Baland and RPT Jason Cassel spent some time representing PTG in our booth along with PTG staff member Kathy Maxwell. Pictured above: Torger Baland and Russ Hilderbrand sharing PTG resources with an attendee. Jason was also a conference presenter. We especially want to thank Sue Doff at Schmitt Music in Bloomington, MN for the loan of a piano for our booth. One of our Teacher Relations Committee members, Sydney Bruenen, RPT, designed three different beautiful bookmarks that honored music teachers. We’ll be bringing some to Des Moines, so stop by the PTG Member Services table to grab one for your favorite teacher.

Upcoming May Education Events

Super Saturday with Jason Cassel, RPT

When: May 3, 2025 from 08:00 am to 5:30 pm (ET)

Where: Montgomery College, Rockville Campus, Music Rehearsal Hall, 51 Mannakee Street, Rockville, MD 20850


Polyester & Lacquer Finish Touch Up Academy with Mike Ello, RPT

When: May 16 - 17, 2025

Where: PTG Home Office, Kansas City

Visit my.ptg.org/touchup for more information and to register.


A Day with Steve Brady, RPT

When: May 17, 2023 from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm (ET)

Where: Faust-Harrison Pianos, 214 Central Avenue, White Plains, NY 10606

Use Your Talents and Make a Difference

The Piano Technicians Guild exists because of volunteers. Some of those volunteers are highly visible, such as the Board of Directors. Others aren’t, like those who serve on committees and the dedicated examiners who give RPT exams. All our volunteers play a crucial role in making PTG and your membership experience a success. Many of these volunteer roles are open to all members. As we approach the upcoming PTG Convention and Technical Institute, those volunteer needs are amplified.

  • Chapter Delegate for Council
  • PTG Committees
  • RPTs to help with exams
  • Convention Guides – assist attendees who ask for extra help

Reach out to us at ptg@ptg.org and we’ll direct you to the right opportunity for you. At the local level, most chapters are conducting elections this spring. Is it time for you to step up to a local leader position? Can you help with arranging education for chapter meetings or edit a local e-newsletter? Visit the Chapter Resources area, and specifically the Chapter Toolkit, for ideas about how you can find a chapter leadership role.


You will make a difference. In the last few years alone, volunteer efforts have resulted in a successful project to introduce the career of piano technology to beginners, an Education Hub that offers members at all levels access to a wealth of collected knowledge, an online searchable Journal Index, a digital RPT written exam, well-attended regional conferences, local seminars, numerous exam opportunities, and more projects that could have never been accomplished without the commitment, skills and time PTG members are willing to share. Where will your ideas and energy lead you?

What's in the April 2025 Journal?

  • Back to School for Tuning Stability
  • Making and Using a Grand Hammer Tail Scuffing Jig
  • From Zero to RPT: What it costs in 2025

The Piano Technicians Journal is always available 24-7 online. Read the April 2025 issue now.

2025 Key Convention Dates & Deadlines

  • April 29 | All proposed amendments to Bylaws and Organizational Policies are due to the Bylaws Committee for the Pre-Council Board meeting. Bylaws Committee page. Use the downloadable RFA form found in the Forms & Documents library in the Members Area at www.ptg.org.
  • May 19 | Board and Committee Reports due for the 2025 Council meeting. Download a Committee Report form. Forward to barbara@ptg.org in Word format.
  • July 1 | Council Delegate Forms due. Download a Council Delegate Form.
  • July 1 | Last day for best convention rateconvention.ptg.org
  • July 13-14 | PTG Board of Directors Meeting
  • July 15 | Council Meeting and Opening Activities
  • July 16-19 | Institute Classes, Exhibit Hall, Concerts and Special Events

Events

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