Klarinet Archive - Posting 000180.txt from 1994/05

From: "Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.EDU>
Subj: John Blegen's reminiscens on George Sarkis
Date: Mon, 9 May 1994 12:41:09 -0400

John, I heard of Sarkis many years ago but I never visited him. I am
only posting to comment on the remarkably high number of first class
repair technicians that were at one time (and may still be) in
Philadelphia.

Let me add that the company I was working for asked me if I would accept
a transfer to a certain city. A considerable promotion and additional
salary went with it. All expenses were covered. This was a number of
years ago before I retired.

I made a preliminary visit to this unnamed city and looked at houses,
schools, shopping, etc. Then I called the local symphony, asked who played
clarinet, and called the three people whose names were given to me. I
asked each one who did their repair work, were they satisfied, how far
did they have to travel, etc., etc.

The bottom line of what these three helpful people told me was that there
was no good repairperson in the area and they had to travel considerable
distances or else ship their instrument to a qualified person.

I turned down the job in that city for that reason. I can't live in
a city that does not have a good repairperson. They are as necessary
as are doctors and dentists.

I could very well have lived in Philadelphia, though.

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Dan Leeson, Los Altos, California
(leeson@-----.edu)
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