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Do you ever think about your career and wonder
what it would have been like if you had chosen a
different line of work? At one time or another, we’ve
probably all had thoughts and made comments re-
garding the opportunities for more money in a different profession or indus-
try. So why have we all stuck with the music business? I think part of it is
because we don’t “punch out” at 5 PM every day and then forget about it all.
What we do is not just a job, it’s a way of life for us, and it’s contributing to a
better life for thousands of people over the course of our working years.
(continued on page 2)
Let me just start
off by thanking
Glen Clutter -
on behalf of all
of us for his
service and ten-
ure as our president over the past two years.
Glen’s a great guy and we all wish him success
and happiness.
Often we travelers become too inured to the
“travel” aspect of our profession and we some-
times forget to stop and think about the social
and psychological benefits. We should be
mindful that we get to interact with a host of
people that are involved with music in so many
circles of influence: commercial, educational,
and entertainment related venues.
Traveling the whole country is not easy but it
has some upsides. One gets a better idea of the
local business climates across the country. The
common consensus among piano dealers is
that business is beginning to picking up again -
yes, indeed. I’m getting more positive feed-
back from dealers across the board.
Now maybe it’s too
early to hope that the
trend continues but I am optimistic. There’s no
question that the herd has thinned over the past
decade but I think we’ve weathered the worst and
things are looking better for the future… and
maybe there really is something to those theories
on Natural Selection and Survival of the Fittest,
after all.
Someone once said that of all art forms, music is
foremost because it ministers to the soul. We
would do well to remind ourselves that we are
part of a noble profession – blessed with an
abundance of friends, acquaintances, associates,
and communal opportunities that do not exist in
other professions. Our relationships with our
dealers are not only germane but essential to our
survival and well-being; anything we can do to
help strengthen our dealers will ultimately
strengthen our industry.
Pianos continue to be a vital part of music mak-
ing and perhaps Aldous Huxley said it best about
music…“After silence, that which comes nearest
to expressing the inexpressible is music”.
Inside th i s
i ssue :
President’s
Notes
1
New Vice
President
1-2
NPTA Road
Stories
2
Membership
Policy
3
Members
Directory
Policy
4
Year End
Report
5
Travel Tips 5
Updates on
NPTAF
6
Sponsors’ List 7
Contact Us 7
Spe c ial po i nt s
of i nt e r e st :
NAMM Show Dinner
Meeting Photos
Special Report
NPTA Future
Membership
Policy & Dues
Structure
Pay Online!
President’s Notes
New Vice President
THE PIANO RAG M a r c h 2 0 1 3 V o l . 1 6 I s s u e 2
Ray Chandler
“Because of all of you, the NPTA
will continue for years to come.”
Bob Dove
National Piano Travelers Association
Vice President
NAMM Mtg &
Dinner Party
8–
17
HAVE
A
LAUGH!
NPTA Road Stories
Most people who buy pianos aren’t just
buying a piece of furniture. They’re fulfill-
ing a dream for their kids or themselves.
How many people have told us over the
years that they “wished” they could play
the piano? It happens every time the sub-
ject of your job comes up in a conversa-
tion, or if you play, when people have lis-
tened to you. How many of them never do
anything about it? Most of them, right?
But then, there are the ones you and your
colleagues have convinced to try.
That’s nice to think about when the work
day (and often the evening as well) is
done. What would you be thinking about
instead if you were coming home from the
brokerage house, or the accounting firm, or
from a grueling day selling used cars? Sure,
there are times when you feel tired, or unap-
preciated and undercompensated, but what
else would you rather have done? Don’t you
have one of the best jobs in the world?
That’s also why when we get together at
NPTA we have such a good time. Who
would you rather associate with than a
bunch of like minded career music people?
Pass that message along to your colleagues
who aren’t yet involved. NPTA has recently
had a rebirth. Let’s keep the spirit strong
and continue to grow!
Send in your road stories for future newsletters.
You can change names to protect the
innocent or the guilty.
We know you have more than one!
Email to Dawn DeMars.
Bob Dove from Pg. 1
T H E P I A N O R A G P A G E 2
“I don’t know
anything about
music. In my
line you don’t
have to.”
- Elvis Presley
“If I ever go to
China, I’m
going to find a
piano and play
“Chopsticks”--
only not with
my fingers, but
rather I’ll be
using two
forks.”
- Jarod Kintz,
REWARD!REWARD!
The Best Road Story gets 4 Free Drink TicketsThe Best Road Story gets 4 Free Drink Tickets
at Next Years Dinner!at Next Years Dinner!
The Board of Directors voted unanimously in favor of changing our membership policies. As of February 1,
2011 the following new rules apply to membership:
New Members:
Membership is available to all independent reps, reps employed by piano manufacturers, their executives
and employees who travel to support the piano industry, i.e. clinicians, product specialists. The piano indus-
try represents both acoustic and digital pianos. Also included are those who have worked in this capacity al-
though they might not be a ‘traveler’ at present, either retired or no longer in a ‘travelers position’.
New Membership Dues: $40 per year and $30 for seniors (65 and older).
Renewal Memberships:
A renewal membership is available to all described above who paid their previous year’s dues. Renewal
Membership Dues: $25 per year and $15 for seniors (65 and older).
Associate Members:
Associate members are those who travel in support of the piano industry aside from those who qualify under
New Members. These members include (but not limited to) national piano movers, independent reps, manu-
facturing reps and executives of manufacturer’s of piano lamps, benches, piano dolly’s, piano covers, and
other piano related accessories, those who travel to train or consult, NAMM employees, publishers of periodi-
cals, magazines and websites that support the piano industry, travelers of finance companies who make retail
credit and inventory financing for the piano industry.
Associate Membership Dues: Same as above.
It has never been so easy! Now you can pay your dues, pay ahead for the Annual Meeting and Dinner at
NAMM, make donations using your credit card on our website!
Go to pianotravelers.com . Click on Membership. Click on Make a Payment. Use the drop down menu to se-
lect your dues category (regular or senior) ; get renewal discount if paid by March 31st and make a donation.
You can also choose Subscription and that will pay your dues annually in January of each year!
Call Dawn DeMars if you have any questions.
Special extension! Get your discount for renewal through April 31st
The worlds largest piano is a Challen Concert
Grand. This piano is 11 feet long, has a total
string tension of over 30 tons and weighs more
than a ton
Fun Musical Trivia
Membership Policy and Dues Structure
T H E P I A N O R A G , P a g e 3
Beethoven's Studio Piano is in the National
Museum, Vienna, Austria
A drop of 1/2 step in pitch can equal a change of
3000 to 5000 Pounds of tension!
Pay Your Dues On Our Website!
All current members will be listed in the
“Membership Directory” and available to all
members. The Membership Directory is
located on the NPTA website
www.pianotravelers.com. Also included are
those members who have not paid their
current year’s dues for the period of 12
months. That allows members in transition
or experiencing a hardship to have a grace
period of 12 months. If a member is more
than 12 months late with payment of the
current year’s dues, they will be deleted
from the Membership Directory.
Stay connected
to others
in the Industry
Re-new your
NPTA membership
Today!
T H E P I A N O R A G , P a g e 4
Policy
Membership Directory
At a posh wedding reception in Beverly Hills the
pianist falls into the swimming pool. The pianist
flails furiously while calling for help, yelling "help
me! I can't swim!" One of the other guests who hap-
pens to be at the poolside says "So? I can't play the
piano and you don't hear me complaining”
Funny Musical Jokes
"I do not
have a single
white note on
my piano;
my elephant
smoked too
much."
- Victor
Borge
Forming New Committees
Historical Committee
We need members to collect and archive our NPTA history!
“The Rag” Newsletter Committee
We need members to collect interesting musical articles or stories for our Newsletter .
If you are interested in either of these committees contact Dawn DeMars
When a musician plays a scale on a newly cleaned
piano, he plays from C to shining C!
Piano players are considered to be a Baldwin they lose
their hair.
A music company put pianos outside for a sale but
protected all their internal organs.
4. Save your boarding pass.
Do you usually toss your boarding pass as soon as you step off
the plane? You might want to reconsider. Your boarding pass
can serve as proof of travel if your airline fails to give you the
proper
5. Mark your bags with an easily recognizable item.
Mark your bags by tying a colorful ribbon, stitching a unique
patch or putting a large sticker on your bags. You won't see other
passengers pulling your bags off the carousel to check for their
tiny name tags, and you'll be able to see your suitcases come out
the door from miles away..
6. Remember your flight number.
This may seem like a no-brainer, but knowing your flight
number can make your life easier in small or foreign
airports that do not list the full names of destination
airports, or list by flight number alone.
♪ TRAVEL TIPs
1. Leave time to get to economy lots.
These lots are often significantly lower-priced than other
lots. As a result, they're the best place for economy-minded
travelers,
2. Pack essentials in your carry-on.
Recent statistics indicate that, on average, at least one bag
on every flight is lost or delayed. If there's anything you
can't live without, pack it in your carry-on.
3. Know your hotel information.
If a) your baggage is lost or delayed; b) you miss your con-
nection and will be late checking in; or c) you are going to a
destination you've never visited before, you'll want to have
complete contact information for your hotel on your per-
son. Before you leave home, print out the hotel's name,
address and phone number, and program the latter into
your cell phone.
Travel Tips
Future
Travel
Tips
Coming
From
American
Express
&
AAA
Year-end Report from Dawn DeMars 2012 Treasurer’s Report
T H E P I A N O R A G , P a g e 5
Beginning cash on hand $ 7,171.96
2012 Income from memberships & sponsors $5,040.00
Expenses as follows:
2011 Dinner $4,782.12
Credit Card Fees $ 362.78
NAMM Dues $ 195.00
Legal Fees $ 61.00
Postage $ 75.53
Total Expenses $6,483.49
Net funds on hand from 2011 $5,728.47
NPTA & NPTAF Mission Statements
T H E P I A N O R A G , P a g e 6
National Piano Travelers Association Since it's formation in 1904, The National Piano Travelers Association is dedicated to
supporting and encouraging the progressive development of the Piano / Keyboard in-
dustry. While promoting and preserving the professionalism of the Salesman, the
NPTA continues to build a strong foundation for the future of the piano industry
through comradeship and integrity.
National Piano Traveler's Association Foundation, Inc
The National Piano Traveler's Association Foundation's mission is to improve the quality of life through the experience of playing music and specifically the piano. We do so by raising and distributing funds for music and piano education so that millions of people can experience of joy of making music.
NPTA Foundation News
1. NPTA Foundation, Inc has been established and has received it’s tax ID number.
2. A bank account has been opened.
3. The current board of directors are as follows:
Ray Chandler, Pres/CEO
Mel Shiaman, Vice President & CPA
Dawn DeMars, CFO
Robert Dove, NPTA Vice President
Glenn Clutter, NPTA Past President
Gary Ingle, MTNA Exec Dir/CEO
Christopher Patterson, Attorney
Madeline Crouch, NPF Exec Director
Arnold Poppenburg, NPTA Member
David Rooksby, NPTA Member
4. The board met following the NPTA dinner/ meeting and accepted the By–Laws, Mission Statement, and other business.
5. What’s Next: Continuing selection of additional board meetings, obtaining non-profit status, creating website.
Arnold, Gary, and Mel are not in the photo above as they were not available… will get them next time!!
Many Thanks!
2013 Pledges and Contributions
Can we add you or your company’s name here?
Glenn Clutter
Dawn DeMars
Madeline Crouch
And a special thank you to Yamaha Corp of America for the loan of their
Conservatory Grand for our Dinner and Meeting.
And another special thank you to Daniel Ene of West Hills, CA for his con-
tribution of a concert tuning prior to our dinner.
NPTA Board of Directors
And General Information
Ray Chandler, President
Glenn Clutter, Past President
Robert Dove, Vice President
Dawn DeMars, Secr./Treas.
and Newsletter Editor
Address:
442 Glenwood Pl Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
Phone:
(818) 416-4308
(805) 379-9888
Fax:
(818) 735-0188
Email: [email protected]
The “New” Piano Rag
Pass it On
Send this to another piano traveling friend
and send Dawn his/her name and email
address.
Let Us Know
What did you think?
Email Dawn any suggestions,
comments, or other feedback.
We will incorporate
you’re thoughts and ideas.
T H E P I A N O R A G , P a g e 7
T H E P I A N O R A G , P a g e 8
2013 NAMM Meeting & Dinner
NPTA Booth
Below: Tess Clutter, Glenn and Lori Clutter and Bob Jones
Right:
Tess Clutter,
Liesa Covey,
and Bob Nolen
at the NPTA
Booth at
NAMM
The Llew Mathews Trio! T H E P I A N O R A G , P a g e 9
2013 NAMM Meeting & Dinner
Reception
Liesa Covey … let’s get a drink!
And some
Appetizers!!
Joe Orbin
& Ray Chandler
To the far right:
Lothar Kiesche
T H E P I A N O R A G , P a g e 1 0
2013 NAMM Meeting & Dinner
Right:
Mr. and Mrs. John Schienke and Jim Coleman
Left: Tom Dorn, Dick Christian, and Jay Valle
Right: Mr. and Mrs. Richard Deutsch
Left: Gary Galanti, Larry Fresch, and Cindy Caruth
T H E P I A N O R A G , P a g e 1 1
2013 NAMM Meeting & Dinner
Left:
Mark Baughman and Michael Sayyad
Right: Bob Popyk and guest
Left:
Arnold Poppenberg and Baik Lee
Right:
Bob Popyk and Larry Fresch
T H E P I A N O R A G , P a g e 1 2
2013 NAMM Meeting & Dinner
Left:
Left to Right: Robert Dove, Madeline
Crouch, Chris and Pennie Patterson
Right:
Don Glasgow, Thomas Broukal, Ray Chandler,
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Deutsch
Left:
Don Glasgow and Thomas Broukal
Left to Right:
John Larson and Joe Orbin
2013 NAMM Meeting & Dinner
Right:
Bob Popyk sharing memories
and special times with Bob
Jones
2013 NPTA Lifetime Achievement Award
T H E P I A N O R A G , P a g e 1 3
Below:
Baik Lee speaking of his years with
Bob Jones at Samick.
Far Right:
Dick Christian talking about his
working with Bob Jones and
many good stories of those days.
T H E P I A N O R A G , P a g e 1 4
2013 NPTA Lifetime Achievement
Left:
Bob Jones giving his acceptance
speech
Right: Dick Christian, Bob
Jones, and Glenn Clutter
Right: Bob Jones receiving
his Lifetime Achievement
award
T H E P I A N O R A G , P a g e 1 5
2013 NAMM Meeting & Dinner
Right: Hannes Schimmel and Lothar
Left: Facing to the East , Looking to Arizona,
with a toast and cheers to Wilton Sykes who was
facing west, looking to Anaheim and toasting at
the same time!
Right and Below:
Annual Meeting Photos
Annual Meeting photos
T H E P I A N O R A G , P a g e 1 6
2013 NAMM Meeting & Dinner
Right:
President Glenn Clut-
ter calls the January
2013 annual meeting
to order.
Above:
Dawn DeMars presidents last’s years minutes and the Treasurer’s report
T H E P I A N O R A G , P a g e 1 7
2013 NAMM Meeting & Dinner
Right:
Glenn Clutter and Dawn DeMars
honoring Dick Christensen as he
retires his position as Past-
President.
Left:
Presenting the Retiring President
Award to Glenn Clutter
Right:
Our new President, Ray Chandler, as
the meeting is turned over to him.