Samsung Cultural Foundation: Training Piano Tuners for K-Classical Music Development

Samsung Cultural Foundation Continues Project to Train Piano Tuners in South Korea

The Samsung Cultural Foundation, in collaboration with the Korean Piano Tuners Association, is set to continue its project to train piano tuners in South Korea. The foundation has recently signed an agreement to support the “2024 Domestic Piano Tuner Training Project” with the association. This year, the project will include various activities such as domestic technical seminars, the 5th Asia Piano Tuners Association General Assembly, overseas technical training, and advanced education courses.

Domestic Technical Seminars and Asia Piano Tuners Association General Assembly

From August 26th to 29th, a 3-night, 4-day domestic technical seminar and the 5th Asia Piano Tuners Association General Assembly will be held at Sonobell Resort in Cheonan, Chungnam. The event will feature a 7-hour special lecture on concert piano tuning by Ulrich Gerhartz, the UK branch manager of Steinway & Sons and the exclusive tuner for pianist Alfred Brendel. Additionally, piano tuners from various Asian countries will share information on the current status and techniques of piano tuning.

Overseas Technical Training

This year’s overseas technical training program will invite two technicians from Yamaha in Japan and a group of ten from Bösendorfer in Austria. These experts will provide valuable insights and training to further enhance the skills of piano tuners.

Expanding Asian Exchange and Promoting Korean Piano Tuning Standards

Kim Hyun-yong, the president of the Korean Piano Tuners Association, expressed his intention to expand cultural exchange among Asian countries and promote the level of piano tuning in Korea through the “Asia Piano Tuners Association General Assembly,” which is being held in Korea after 12 years. The assembly aims to foster collaboration and raise awareness of the importance of piano tuning standards in Korea and the wider Asian region.

Contributing to the Development of K-Classical Music and Cultural Infrastructure

Ryu Moon-hyung, the CEO of the Samsung Cultural Foundation, expects the ongoing piano tuner training project to create an optimal performance environment and contribute to the development of K-classical music. Additionally, he hopes that it will raise awareness of the importance of cultural infrastructure and encourage more support from the public.

Source: Newsis