Keyboard Technician

Luther College invites applications for a staff keyboard technician. This is a full-time, twelve-month renewable staff position in the Department of Music, with duties beginning June 17, 2024.Luther College is an undergraduate liberal arts college with a population of sixteen hundred students located in Decorah, IA. Our faculty and students are highly engaged in academics and research, music programs, athletics, sustainability, and service. Founded in 1861 by Norwegian immigrants, Luther values its heritage, just as it values the diversity of its students, staff, and faculty, who hail from many faith backgrounds and heritages. Coming from 40 states and 62 countries, 13% of our students are domestic students of color and 13% are international students. Luther College is internationally recognized for its exceptional music program, and is home to one of the largest undergraduate music programs in the country. Nearly one-third of Luther College's student body participates in music through three upper-class mixed-voice touring choirs, two first year choirs, two bands, three orchestras, and two jazz bands-in addition to opera, composition, handbell choir, faculty­ directed chamber groups, applied lessons, and master classes. Luther College boasts well-maintained facilities, including the 325-seat Noble Recital Hall in Jenson-Noble Hall of Music; the 1,600 seat main hall of the Center for Faith and Life; and the Center for the Arts, with a 225-seat black box theatre. The college's inventory includes approximately 110 pianos, including seven concert grands, two 2-manual harpsichords and a fortepiano. The successful candidate will join a vibrant music department of 42 faculty and 7 staff, including a keyboard area of five full-time faculty colleagues. Our location in the beautiful Driftless region of northeast Iowa offers a wealth of opportunities not often found in small towns. The economic vitality of the Decorah area is attributable to being a regional hub for outdoor recreation, two nationally recognized healthcare systems, top ranked schools, business, agriculture, specialty retail, dining and tourism. In a scenic rural setting, we are an easy 70-mile drive to three urban areas including Rochester, MN, home of Mayo Clinic and an IBM major campus. Luther College is committed to increasing the diversity of our staff. Applicants from historically underrepresented groups, in particular ethnic, racial and gender groups are encouraged to become a candidate for the following position. Qualifications/Requirements: Education and knowledge:Appropriate training at a trade school or as an apprentice to a master technician requiredSkills required to pass RPT examA four-year college degree and keyboard playing ability preferredExperience:Substantial experience in piano tuning and maintenance, including concert tuning and voicing. Experience with harpsichord and historical instrument tuning and repairs. Must possess mechanical ingenuity, as well as woodworking skills and the aptitude to broaden his/her skills set. Must be self-motivated and be comfortable working with a large and diverse campus community. Physical Skills Required:Stamina to do bulk tunings prior to start of semester. Work involves lifting grand piano actions, replacing strings and using power tools and occasionally shifting pianos. Duties and responsibilities: Tune, regulate, voice and repair approximately 110 instruments in several buildings on campus, including 7 concert grand pianos, 2 two-manual harpsichords, and a fortepiano.The entire instrument collection must be tuned and mechanically functional prior to the arrival of students each semester. Concert instruments must also be tuned, regulated and voiced before each semester begins. Continued tuning and maintenance as needed.Maintain concert instruments in accordance with the needs of the college calendar.Meet regularly with the Coordinator of Keyboard to address needs and establish priorities.Some rebuilding of pianos and harpsichords as needed (restringing, action parts replacement)Organize organ tuning and repairSupervise and assist in moving instruments, particularly between buildingsMaintain service records on all instruments and manage keyboard inventoryMaintain tools and supplies necessary for repairsManage maintenance budgetTrain and supervise student workers Applications must include the following materials: Letter of interest/Cover letterCurriculum vitaeNames and contact information (email address and phone) of three (3) professional references, at least one of which is a current or former supervisor Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For full consideration, please apply by May 31, 2024.

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