The general meeting for this month will be held on Tuesday, January 11 starting at 7 p.m. at:

Please note: Frank and Camille's will now be closing at 8 p.m. The meeting must begin promptly.

This month's technical will be given by David R. Kirkland, RPT of Steinway and Sons on "The Steinway System / Gallery of Steinway Decals."

This presentation is a Steinway history class with elaborations on patent details in terms of their bearing on worldwide piano making past and present. Also presented will be a slide show of Steinway decals with explanations as to when and why decals were changed over the years.

David has been working closely with Steinway historian Roy Kehl for several years in order to help proofread and transcribe Roy's lifelong research to computer. David grew up in Utah and maintains interests in piano, fine art, poetry, and is fluent in Castilian Spanish and French. David's career in the piano business began in 1981 as a shop apprentice with Kasimoff-Blüthner in Los Angeles. Since 2001, he has worked at Steinway & Sons in the capacities of technical support and warranty administration.

An overview of Steinway history that covers the principles and evolution of piano construction. Surprising details of case, soundboard, plate, and action will be reviewed. Includes the chronology of Steinway decalcomania. Anyone interested in the history of piano-building and the evolution of the modern piano will enjoy this class.

The Executive Committee will meet prior to the general meeting at 5 p.m. at the Olive Garden Restaurant, 1120 Old Country Road, Westbury, diagonally across the street from Frank and Camille's.

It is the beginning of the new year and we all are setting up our new appointment books and scheduling systems. Now is the time the mark off the second Tuesday night of each month throughout the upcoming year, so that your attendance at the monthly chapter meetings will be assured with no conflicts. It is also helpful to note other reoccurring dates, such as car inspections, sales tax and quarterly federal income tax due dates, future doctors' appointments, anniversaries, etc.

The previous general meeting was our annual Holiday Party, held on Tuesday evening December 7, 2010, at Tesoro Ristorante in Westbury.