Registration for the 2026 Fortepiano Tech Academy at the Cornell Center for Historical Keyboards is now open!
Join us for two days of instruction by Ken Eschete and Ken Walkup on Friday and Saturday, June 26 & 27, 2026, with an opening reception at 726 University Avenue at 5pm on Thursday, June 25.
Attendance is limited to 12; this is our third time hosting this event, and both previous events have sold out quickly.
You can register here.
This year, we’re delighted that renowned fortepiano builder Rod Regier will be joining us! This is a great opportunity to learn Viennese piano voicing, regulation, and maintenance from one of the masters, who will lead a session on Friday afternoon.
In addition, Rod will give a lecture on the origins and history of the Viennese piano at 9am on Saturday, June 27, followed by a lecture from Ken Eschete on fundamental issues surrounding historical piano conservation at 10:30am. These lectures, which will take place in Lincoln Hall B20, will be open to the public.
Other topics for Tech Academy participants:
- The English action: what it is and how to regulate it.
- Scale evaluation and modification, including gauge systems, how to read a scale, how to calculate new scales, and wire sources. We’ll make a new scale for Cornell’s 1825 Graf piano.
- Stringing techniques for early pianos, including making open-wound bass strings, making string loops, and wrest plank consolidation with Epo-Tek 301.
- Basic repairs and techniques, including loose tuning pins, replacing a cedar shank, splicing shanks, thicknessing leather for bushings and hammer coverings, working with parchment.
- “Grab Bag” of tips and techniques for repairing and regulating historical pianos, including
- making tuning pins
- making new hardware look old
- French polishing
- making a new “old” wood screw
- making moldings
- making new threaded leg dowels
- and more!
- There will be plenty of time to try things for yourself!
Our academy will overlap with Cornell’s Chamber Music Collective, an opportunity for advanced students and young professional musicians to explore the world of historical keyboard instruments. Tech Academy Participants are invited to attend the CMC's final concert on Friday, June 26, at 4pm in Lincoln Hall B20.
The cost is $550, including three nights lodging at Toni Morrison Hall (dorm), lunch on Friday and Saturday; an opening reception late on Thursday afternoon; and dinner on Friday following the concert.
You are warmly invited to join us! Please email rsm253@cornell.edu with any questions.
