The monthly Newsletter of the Baltimore Chapter

The Baltimore Chapter

Our chapter was established in 1966 through the joint efforts of then PTG National President Wendell Eaton, National Field Secretary Aubrey Willis, and Baltimore piano retailer Irving Cohen. Though there had been some preliminary meetings for several years, the Chapter received its charter in July of that year, and held its first open meeting on October 5. 1966 at the home of Treasurer Harold Bannar. Besides Mr. Bannar, the other officers were Paul Ebert, President, Marvin Nigh, Vice-President, and Sal Mantegna, Secretary. The Treasury was started with a $60 check from the Home Office, and dues were set at $2 a month, although later lowered to fifty cents a month. (Not an insignificant amount, considering the average tuning fee of $12!) Ours has always been a vociferous chapter, and those early meetings often lasted until midnight or later.

Today our chapter numbers 46 members--30 RPTs and 16 Associates. Our meetings are normally held on the first Wednesday of the month September through May, and for many years we met at Jason's Music. Starting in September 2008, we will be hosted by Big Ed's Piano Gallery in Linthicum (for information about the next meeting and directions see column at left). Our June meeting is Banquet Night held at one of many fine dining facilities in the area. We do have one or two meetings a year "off-site", so be sure to check beforehand if you're interested in coming to a meeting. We also organize a field trip about once a year. Recent such excursions have included trips to the Mason & Hamlin factory near Boston, the Story & Clark factory in Seneca, Pa., and the Steinway factory in New York. We welcome guests who are interested in piano technology, as well as visitors from other chapters. (We're still vociferous, but usually adjourn by 10 pm!)