El Caribe newspaper reports on the preparation of qualified piano technicians at the National Conservatory of Music. The piano technician school that opened this year is only the second of its kind in Latin America. An estimated 10,000 pianos exist in the DR. Technicians will undergo two years of studies to understand the complexities of the piano that has thousands of moving parts, a framework and soundboard that supports tremendous string tension in addition to its fine finished cabinetry. The students study a two-year program under Swedish professor of music, Claes Mard. They receive instruction in carpentry, acoustics, tuning, anatomy of the piano and restoration. The new school has the support of the Ministry of Culture.
