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| Need Your Advice; Should I offer to do this? | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Nov 10 2006, 11:09 AM (436 Views) | |
| kenny | Nov 10 2006, 11:09 AM Post #1 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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Every January my teacher holds a formal student recital. We each get up and play a prepared piece. When it is over there is a very classy reception/buffet with champagne, a nice entree, wine, and opulent desserts. We each have to pay our usual lesson fee, which my teacher says goes for food/wine/etc. This year I am considering offering my home/piano. Here's why. My teacher got a divorce a few months ago. He moved out and is now renting an apartment. They shared a rented house. While he has still arranged to conduct our lessons at what is now her house on the Steinway D (I have not asked about piano custody) I am wondering if it would be simpler, and a nice problem-solution for him to not have to coordinate with her and her house. Next, I have 24 folding chairs, folding tables, chafing dishes etc. and a new killer concert grand, and just a hair more space than he had. I would offer him a key so he could hold the last two weeks of lessons in my house so the students could get used to the Bluthner. I would ask him to pay for and coordinate all the food and drink, just as he would have done in his house. I am offering the house and the piano, and all my stuff, and I’ll do the clean up. Do you think I should not ask for any money if he pays for all food and drink? (There are always hidden expenses when holding such a thing.) Am I nutso? Should I even offer this? These things are a lot of work. |
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| ***musical princess*** | Nov 10 2006, 11:11 AM Post #2 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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Although it would be a nice thing to do kenny, i really don't think it is a good idea. x |
| x Caroline x | |
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| kenny | Nov 10 2006, 11:13 AM Post #3 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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go on. . . |
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| Jolly | Nov 10 2006, 11:18 AM Post #4 |
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Geaux Tigers!
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I think it is a most gracious offer. If accepted, I would expect him to pay for the food and drink, as usual. The other unexpected and hidden costs will be yours, I'm afraid. Heck, talk about information technology for 3 minutes, and write that stuff off as a business expense... |
| The main obstacle to a stable and just world order is the United States.- George Soros | |
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| DivaDeb | Nov 10 2006, 11:21 AM Post #5 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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I think it's a great offer, Kenny, and yes, you should definitely suggest that he make the arrangements for food etc. If you're comfortable with the usual folks that come to his recitals being in your house and playing your piano, do it. It's a *very* generous thing to do! You might even suggest that he might want to help with your bill for a tuning prior to the recital. You'll need rules about your house and stuff if he teaches there prior to the recital, but I'm sure his students are used to that if he teaches in his home. I don't think it would go badly for you. There's always the possibility of something happening, but hey...you have a beautiful home and a wonderful piano. It's a perfect setup and I am sure your offer will be very appreciated! Much nicer than renting a hall with a nothing special piano. |
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| The 89th Key | Nov 10 2006, 11:27 AM Post #6 |
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Kenny, I think it's a very nice thing and would certainly recommend you do it. I would only be worried about your piano...just make sure it doesn't get damaged at all, which I doubt it would, but I haven't really done that type of thing before (piano recital thing). |
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| kenny | Nov 10 2006, 11:27 AM Post #7 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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One other thing. He used to do all this in his own home with his wife helping with preparation. On Los Angeles freeways he now lives from 45 to 90 minutes away one way, depending on traffic. So she is out of the picture and he now would have to organize/execute this alone? This is not my problem but may result in him wanting/expecting/hoping/needing me to do much of the shopping/cooking/planning/set up etc. I think I'm up to it, but it may get out of hand. BTW Jose's has not been too helpful for past piano events. ![]() Hmmmm??? |
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| apple | Nov 10 2006, 11:29 AM Post #8 |
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one of the angels
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don't let him make you pay for the lesson! you'll love it!!!! |
| it behooves me to behold | |
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| ***musical princess*** | Nov 10 2006, 11:31 AM Post #9 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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Well, each to their own i suppose, but i wouldn't like having my piano teachers students coming in and out of my home like that. x |
| x Caroline x | |
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| DivaDeb | Nov 10 2006, 11:31 AM Post #10 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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just tell him you may not be much help for that part...if he's charging a regular lesson fee and you're providing a place, he can hire somebody to help or even cater the thing. If you don't do it, he'll have to rent a place...his apartment isn't going to work and his students very likely expect the opportunity to perform. Just do what you want to and can easily do, don't set yourself up to feel maxed out or taken advantage of...especially since I presume you will be playing on this thing as well? You need your time if you're going to perform. |
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| kluurs | Nov 10 2006, 11:39 AM Post #11 |
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Fulla-Carp
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I agree - that's the bridge too far. I'd keep this simpler. You'll offer your home and piano for the program - and reception - that's it. Having people entering your house to do lessons and all - not so good. |
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| kenny | Nov 10 2006, 11:48 AM Post #12 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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Isn't walking up to a new piano, cold, a bad idea? It's not like we are pros who are expected to take this in stride. Maybe a time one or two days prior when I let students come over and have 30 minutes alone with the piano??? Or maybe 2-hour practice time with everyone taking turns? With or without the teacher? BTW, there are 8 to 10 of us, all adults. Oye! I'm getting a headache. |
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| DivaDeb | Nov 10 2006, 11:49 AM Post #13 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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an alternative would be to have them all over there on one day, like on a Saturday, prior to the recital. Sometime when you would be around. Your teacher could arrange them in 30 minute time slots and be there as well. They could come in, run through their numbers a couple of times on the piano they will perform on and leave. *oops...you posted before I had a chance...yeah, Kenny, I think it's best they don't sit down at that piano for the first time to play the recital, but once is plenty, and 30 minutes is generous. If it was a competition, they wouldn't likely get that opportunity, so they should be very grateful for it |
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| TomK | Nov 10 2006, 11:51 AM Post #14 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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You are one hellova guy, kenny. |
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| Daniel\ | Nov 10 2006, 11:54 AM Post #15 |
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Fulla-Carp
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I think it's great you want to share but I think you should be home when people are there. |
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| kenny | Nov 10 2006, 01:50 PM Post #16 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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Like what? |
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| justme | Nov 10 2006, 02:15 PM Post #17 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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I think it's a wonderful offer, Kenny. Just do yourself a favor and don't try to "take over" the party or be hurt if your teacher doesn't do things your way. If you try to take over the teacher may be grateful but then you have all the headache. |
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"Men sway more towards hussies." G-D3 | |
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| taiwan_girl | Nov 10 2006, 02:48 PM Post #18 |
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Fulla-Carp
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I have to agree with the sentiments about having people there when you are not. Something could happen - someone could knock over a lamp, spill a drink on your piano, spill a drink on your carpet, damage one of your paintings, etc. Although all of these things could happen while you were there, I believe that there would be more self-recrimination if it happened while you were gone. Although all of the people are adults, how well do you actually know them. I think however, that it is a good idea for you to offer to host the party. |
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| Bernard | Nov 10 2006, 02:58 PM Post #19 |
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Senior Carp
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Oh no, kenny. They were such a nice couple and she was so pretty. I can't believe it! Such a beautiful house they were renting together too!!! Wow. Well I think your idea of offering your space for the party is a good idea and think you should make the offer. (TomK, why do you have Ori's picture as your avatar!? He sure is handsome.) |
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| kenny | Nov 10 2006, 03:00 PM Post #20 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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Apparently someone else thinks so too. She is already remarried. |
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| DivaDeb | Nov 10 2006, 03:17 PM Post #21 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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Just the stuff that Taiwan Girl mentioned, Kenny...and all of that would be a moot point probably if the students could all arrange to give the piano a try on one day when you were there. I am guessing that would be a fairly easy thing to accomplish, maybe a couple Saturdays before the recital. Just make sure that, if you're playing on this thing, that you will not be overcommited to the point where you might feel wound too tight with your own playing. I don't know what sort of performer you are and everyone is different that way. I am a feet in the fire, more stress the better kind of person...I have always thrived on the less than ideal situation, it's the old "trooper" in me. But be honest with yourself and decide whether you'll be relaxed with the situation, both from the standpoint of hosting and performing. If so...I think it could be wonderful fun for you! |
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| Mikhailoh | Nov 10 2006, 04:07 PM Post #22 |
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
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It'll be fine. Just make sure they use coasters when they put their punch on the piano before playing. |
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Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball | |
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| ivorythumper | Nov 10 2006, 04:15 PM Post #23 |
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I am so adjective that I verb nouns!
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Since you have a premier instrument, I wouldn't worry about that too much. I would not allow teacher and pupils w/o you or Jose there -- too much liability (emotional, relational and practical if not legal). The idea of the party sounds great -- but like others I would step back and make sure that teacher knew he was hosting and *completely* responsible for everything other than what you said you would provide. You're a sweetheart. |
| The dogma lives loudly within me. | |
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| CTPianotech | Nov 10 2006, 04:24 PM Post #24 |
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Fulla-Carp
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Do have an area where you could restrict wine drinking to? Even grown ups can be slobs. Just had a wine+cheese at our showrooms, and I'm still cleaning ![]()
phhh. men ![]() |
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| Axtremus | Nov 10 2006, 04:29 PM Post #25 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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Good idea, kind offer, I think you should do it. I don't think you need to worry much about some one accidentally pour something into your piano either... you do have a very thick, heavy duty string cover, right? |
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