Marc Widuch wrote about a potential piano roll convention:

> Your thoughts would be very appreciated on whom to be invited, where
> to locate this convention, how to prepare, the agenda, necessary
> pre-conditions for the highest possible participation, workshops
> and presentations, sponsoring, etc., etc.

I like Marc's idea of a roll convention.  Based on my experiences at
the Cornell and Stanford conferences, there is a great deal of
knowledge to be shared.  Here are a few thoughts I have on such an
event:

As far as location, I'd say it depends on who's the main audience.
Marc's idea suggests an international group of enthusiasts getting
together and sharing information.

If this is the case, then a location central to the bulk of attendees
would be good.  Given the organizations in America and Europe, an East
Coast USA location could work well.  Perhaps a well-populated one like
New York that would be convenient to a high number of attendees, have
good potential press coverage and a large, interested local population.

Peter Phillips makes the case for an academic focus.  I personally like
this route as well, since there is such a great lack of knowledge about
mechanical music in general academia.

I haven't seen a great deal of interest in the topic from college
professors.  I noticed a lack of academics at the last Stanford event
and at the Cornell event.  So I think If your goal is to maximize the
number of academicians, then I would start with presentations at
academic events and build out from there.  Then you can gauge interest
to see if you can build demand for a separate, academically focused
event.

Another option would be to hold an event immediately before a major
academic event.  But that would be more overhead than just presenting at
an existing event.  Maybe it's not either or, but try both academic
focused presentations and an enthusiasts event.  Try inviting some
academics to speak at the enthusiasts event.

The agenda should be driven by your target audience.  What does that
group need and want to know? And part of the agenda would be driven by
who is willing and able to present.

As far as sponsors, Steinway and Yamaha, with their interest in
promoting their piano playing technologies seem to be a good place
to start.  Perhaps you could get some folks from their technical teams
to come in and present.  That would get their organizations better
connected with the conference.  New York City and Steinway seem to be
a good match.

I should note that Kumaran Arul, the professor of the Stanford
program, mentioned that their player piano and orchestra concert in
April 2015 was the best attended Stanford concert of the whole year --
that auditorium was packed.  They also seemed to have at least good
local Public Radio coverage for that event.  So some sort of
performance may be a good way to lure in locals and increase awareness.

Given it's December now, 2018 will be here shortly.  But something
towards the end of the year could work.

Just my thoughts.  It would be interesting to hear other ideas.

Paul Johnson