Special Events

**Check your convention program book for locations and updates.

Tuesday, July 25th

Opening Social
5 – 6:30 p.m
New to PTG convention? Come meet all the other first timers, get advice about classes, meet your local and national leaders, and make friends.

Opening Session
7 p.m.
We’ll announce PTG award recipients for 2023 and preview the outstanding lineup of classes and special activities scheduled for this year. You’ll have an opportunity to win some prizes and join in the fun as we launch our 2023 convention.

Opening Reception
8:30 p.m.
It’s time to catch up with old friends and meet some new ones before convention begins - everyone is welcome! Enjoy delicious desserts and savory snacks as we congratulate our 2023 PTG award recipients. Feeling musical? Attendees are encouraged to play the piano on display for their own enjoyment (and ours, as well)! Cash bar.

Wednesday, July 26th

Well Tempered Performance
9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Take a break between 1st and 2nd periods to hear how a piano tuned with a well temperament sounds when played in concert. The piano has been prepared by Bill Bremmer, RPT, in his own temperament style. Enjoy the nuance sound with a performance by Fred Sturm, RPT.

Exhibit Hall Opening
Noon – 4:30 p.m.
This is your chance to see, touch, and feel the tools and instruments that make being a piano technician such a fun and unique career. Explore the latest in technology, catch up with friends and colleagues and help plan the future of your business. Be sure to stop by the PTG Store.

Women in Piano Technology Forum
5:30 – 7 p.m.
Come share your experiences, challenges, victories, and questions in an informal, safe and open space. Men are welcome, but it is focused on a woman’s perspective. Facilitated by Ricki Klos, RPT.

Steinway Concert - Sponsored by Steinway
8 p.m.
Jazz luminary Aaron Diehl will perform a selection of jazz standards, in celebration of the Piano Technicians Guild 2023 Annual Convention. He’ll be performing remotely in a Spiriocast from New York.

As a pianist and composer, Aaron Diehl mystifies listeners with his layered artistry. At once temporal and ethereal, his expression transforms the piano into an orchestral vessel in the spirit of beloved predecessors Ahmad Jamal, Erroll Garner and Jelly Roll Morton. His forthcoming solo record promises an expansion of that exploration in a setting at once unbound and intimate. Born in Columbus, Ohio, Aaron traveled to New York in 2003, following his success as a finalist in JALC’s Essentially Ellington competition and a subsequent European tour with Wynton Marsalis. He recently appeared with the New York Philharmonic and the Cleveland Orchestra as featured soloist. Aaron holds a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from Juilliard. A licensed pilot, when he’s not at the studio or on the road, he’s likely in the air.

Thursday, July 27th

Regional Meetings
Breakfast | 6:15 a.m.

Meetings | 7 a.m.

Meet your Regional Vice President and other members of your region to get the latest information and share ideas. Every PTG member is encouraged to attend. No RSVP required.

Old Town Alexandria/Potomac Lunch Cruise
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Explore Old Town Alexandria, a nationally designated historic district on the Potomac River waterfront. You’ll have a couple of hours to explore the many shops, museums and historic buildings before meeting at the Southwest Waterfront to board the Spirit of Washington for a lunch cruise.  See the sights of Washington DC from onboard the Spirit of Washington with a lunch cruise on the Potomac River. Enjoy a buffet dining experience as you sail, and delight in panoramic views. After your meal, visit any of the three climate-controlled decks as you glide by the sights. View some of Washington DC's famous landmarks, such as Washington Monument, National Harbor and more. You’ll return to Old Town Alexandria and have time to do more sightseeing and shopping. You’ll ride roundtrip by bus from the Hyatt Regency Arlington, our convention hotel. Learn more about Old Town Alexandria attractions and at https://visitalexandria.com/old-town. $160 per person includes transportation, buffet cruise and guide.

Foundation Fundraiser
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
This is an entertaining fundraising event with donations benefiting the PTG Foundation. Your $5 PTGF donation entitles you to see Carl Lieberman get his Einsteinian hair tamed with scissors by Ricki Klos, RPT, his annual barber.

Kawai Concert - Sponsored by Kawai USA
8 p.m.
Jason Solounias In Concert
Jason Solounias has performed across the United States and Europe, ranging from the Kennedy Center to Southwark Cathedral, including performances at Millennium Stage, the Lincoln Theater, Steinway Society of Puerto Rico, An Die Musik, Duomo di Almalfi, Junior Soto Recital Hall, The Arts Club of Washington, WETA, Church of Epiphany Concert Series, and the Lisner Auditorium. Solounias began his studies in his hometown of Havre de Grace, Maryland with Irene Yeakel and went on to complete his Bachelors of Arts at Shepherd University and Masters of Music and Doctorate of Musical Arts from the Catholic University of America. He has also worked with pedagogues including Emanuel Krasovsky, John Perry, and Leon Fleisher. Solounias is the Director of the Puerto Rico International Piano Festival, the co-artistic director of the Kosciuszko Foundation Chopin Competition for Young Pianists, the Chopin Piano Academy, assistant to the Tureck International Bach Competition, and has consulted for the Hiiuma Homecoming Music Festival. Solounias is also on the board of the National Bell Festival. Solounias is a passionate teacher and is currently a faculty member at Levine Music in Washington D.C. and at Opal Music Studio in Alexandria Virginia. Learn more at www.jasonsolounias.com/programs

Friday, July 28th

Leadership Luncheon
Sponsored by Renner USA
Noon – 1:30 p.m.
Connect with other PTG chapter leaders and committee members. Share ideas for strengthening your chapter or committee. Honor the spirit of volunteer leadership by being part of this event. Invitation only. Ticketed event. Please check your packets for a ticket.

Chapter Leaders Forum
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
All chapter leaders, past or present, are welcome to join us for a round table discussion as we exchange ideas, ask questions, and share information with each other. Follows the Leadership Luncheon in the same room. Facilitated by Ricki Klos, RPT.

Larry Crabb Barbershop Chorus
7:15 p.m. - 7:45 p.m
Get set for some splendid harmony featuring barbershop standards and some surprises with a PTG-twist. Led by Bill Davis, RPT, this volunteer group has filled the room and charmed PTG convention audiences for over 35 years. Like to sing? You can be a part of this co-ed group. Just sign up when you check in at the PTG Registration Desk.

Yamaha Reception - Sponsored by Yamaha
8 p.m.
A great time to relax, meet friends and enjoy some wonderful music. Light refreshments and cash bar. Everyone is welcome!

Saturday, July 29th

Golden Hammer Banquet
6 - 7 p.m. Cocktail Hour – cash bar
7 p.m. Banquet

Join us as we honor this year’s Golden Hammer Award recipient. After a full-course dinner, celebrate this year’s convention and get a sneak peek at our 2024 event. Banquet tickets are included with full registrations. Additional tickets are available for purchase from the PTG Registration Desk no later than Wednesday noon for $65 each.

Sunday, July 30th

Chapel Service
8 a.m
PTG volunteers will be leading a 60-minute non-denominational service of music and inspiration. Everyone is welcome.

Revised 3/10/23