Anne's Harpsichords

Boston Early Music Festival: The Paris Workshop

Administrator — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:39:38 +0000

The Paris Workshop comes to Boston, bringing kits you can see and touch. I’ll be helping Carey Beebe run the booth Friday and Saturday, June 11 and 12. Come visit!

Our new Italian Virginal kit is a delight both as a kit and an instrument. I’ll be bringing one home for some lucky new owner.

Concert at Lucas Theatre with Baritone Keith Miller and the SCC

Administrator — Fri, 22 May 2009 12:36:24 +0000

We very much enjoyed our week with Visiting Artist in Residence Keith Miller from the Metropolitan Opera. Keith used to be a professional football player who took up singing at the ripe old age of 28. His rapid rise to the top levels of the opera world (while staying a wonderful human being) proves once again that you can’t dream too big as long as you work hard to achieve them.

We culminated the week with a concert at the Lucas Theatre. The SCC and I joined Keith to perform two numbers at the end of his solo concert. His inspiration was clear. They were the best we’ve ever heard them. The crowd was overwhelmed and on their feet applauding wildly.

Photo Shoot for Kohl’s / Mudd Jeans at Wormsloe Plantation

Administrator — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 12:31:48 +0000

My 1884 upright Chickering piano was selected as part of a national level photo shoot. It was certainly an interesting and long day.

High Fashion?

Well, I’m always pleased when pianos or harpsichords get attention.

Spring Concert Season with the Savannah Children’s Choir

Administrator — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 01:47:47 +0000

Weekly concerts with the Savannah Children’s Choir for our Spring tour, all over Savannah.

March 29, April 5, April 19, April 26th. Our young choir has been improving at a stunningly fast pace. I’m so proud of them!

Academy of Ancient Music at Savannah Music Festival

Administrator — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 01:45:57 +0000

Richard Egarr and the Academy of Ancient Music performed using a German double manual harpsichord after Vater I completed late in 2009. Tuning for rehearsal and concert by myself, in Vallotti as requested, including a touchup during perhaps the noisiest intermission I’ve ever encountered!

They performed all 6 Brandenburgs in an incredibly smoking performance. They loved Savannah and Savannah loved them.

Haptics 2009

Administrator — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 01:40:57 +0000

Invited speaker at the EROI / University of Rochester Conference on Keytouch Haptics, discussing the state of key touch research for piano actions.

Link to EROI:

The Eastman Rochester Organ Initiative

Article in January 2009 Piano Technician’s Journal

Administrator — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 16:57:58 +0000

“The Cantos Music Foundation: The History of the Keyboard from the Beginning to the Present”, PTG Journal, January 2009.

Article in October 2008 Piano Technician’s Journal

Administrator — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 16:56:16 +0000

“Running a Small Shop Restoration Business” with Chuck Behm, PTG Journal, October 2008.

Award from the Piano Technicians’ Guild

Administrator — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 05:35:05 +0000

Anne won the Jack Greenfield Award from the Piano Technicians’ Guild at their national convention in June for her series of articles in the Piano Technician’s Journal.

The Jack Greenfield Award was given to Anne Acker “in recognition of outstanding research and writing for a Continuing Series for the Piano Technician’s Journal: “Voices from the Past: 18th and 19th Century Pianos in the 21st Century.”

This award is for the best writing all year for the organization, which covers all of North America in scope.

Presentation on high speed video photography techniques & 18th and 19th century piano actions

Administrator — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 21:18:43 +0000

On May 30, 2008, Anne gave a presentation at the annual meeting of the American Musical Instrument Society held at the Cantos Music Foundation, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada on the use of high speed video photography techniques for analysis of 18th and 19th century piano actions.