Prerequisites & How to Enroll
Prerequisites
Entering students must submit their high school transcripts or GED certificates. Applicants without the above will be required to show Ability to Benefit by taking the Career Program Assessment Test (CPAT) in the format (print, Braille or oral) best suited to the applicant's need. Score earned must be of high school graduate level. It may be taken in Vancouver, Washington, or the School of Piano Technology for the Blind will cooperate with an applicant who wishes to arrange to take this test in his/her own community.
The majority of our successful students have entered the course between the ages of 18 and 45. However, the school will consider accepting on a trial basis men and women who do not fall within these guidelines, as long as all other prerequisites are met.
Entering students should have good health and stamina, along with some mechanical aptitude. “Perfect pitch” is not necessary, but musical aptitude and interest is highly desirable. Normal hearing is essential. Becoming a successful tuner-technician involves a complex set of personal qualities including, but not limited to, tonal recognition and comparison, ability to make judgments, adequate physical strength and dexterity, stamina and self-discipline. Also, a successful clientele tuner will be well organized and will have a pleasing personality and a sense of responsibility both to the customer and to the profession.
Interviews in person or (when necessary) by phone and, when applicable, recommendations from qualified prior instructors are very helpful in ensuring that an applicant has these qualities, or the potential to develop them.
It is important to remember that a goal of the School of Piano Technology for the Blind is vocational training and rehabilitation; therefore, qualified applicants are rarely refused at least conditional acceptance into a trial period of one to three months based on faculty evaluation and assessments.
Enrolling
To enroll, fill out and send in the application form. Applicants will be considered in the order their applications are received. Applicants will be notified of acceptance or the need for more information upon receipt and review of their application and any supporting documents. If accepted, the student will be sent an Enrollment Agreement to sign and return with a non-refundable $100 deposit, which will be applied to the first month’s tuition. The Enrollment Agreement spells out the rights and responsibilities of both the student and the School, as outlined in the school’s catalog.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call either:
Len Leger, Executive Director, (360) 693-1511 Ext. 12
Don Mitchell, Director of Instruction (360) 693-1511 Ext. 13
Monday through Friday 8:30-4:30 PST
After hours, please use our voice mail system.