LENOX, Mass. — Terry Flynn, Master Piano Technician, will speak at Ventfort Hall on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 3:30 pm at a Tea & Talk about the importance of the Steinway piano during the Gilded Age. 

 

Tea will be served after his presentation.

 

His talk will focus on the rising middle class and its embrace of music along with the salons of the rich. 

 

Steinway became synonymous with musical culture and social achievement. George and Sarah Morgan, original owners of Ventfort Hall in the Gilded Age, purchased a Steinway in 1895 for the mansion. This piano can now be seen at Ventfort, returned by the descendants of the Morgans in 2021.

 

Flynn is a master piano technician who has been a passionate music lover all his life. From an early age, with an innate appreciation for tone, words and melody, he began composing and performing music. He wrote songs and instrumentals for plays, short films and commercials. He inherited an instinct for craftsmanship from his father, an accomplished amateur classical violinist and professional engineer who taught his sons to work with a wide range of materials and tools.

 

He attended Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) where he graduated summa cum laude with a BA in Music and Liberal Arts. While in school, his love of music and pianos led him to begin work on tuning and restoring pianos. He had the good fortune to be tutored by his friend and neighbor, the late master piano technician, Frank Dillingham.

 

Flynn developed a thorough understanding of the mechanics of pianos and the techniques required to achieve superb results. He also acquired specialized tools and skills from his association with Frank's protégé, Kim Muller, who had extensive training at the Steinway factory and concert services in Hamburg and Berlin. Together they established a workshop in Connecticut to restore and sell Steinway grand pianos combining the best practices and materials of NY and German pianos.

 

Tickets are $30 for members and with advance reservation; $35 day of; $22 for students 22 and under. Reservations are encouraged as seats are limited. Walk-ins accommodated as space allows. For reservations visit https://gildedage.org/events/ or call us at (413) 637-3206. All tickets are nonrefundable and non-exchangeable. The historical mansion is located at 104 Walker Street in Lenox.