The Rev. Dr. Bonavia Hunt founded the Church Choral Society and College of Church Music, London. This organisation was established for the purpose of teaching, practising, and testing. In 1875 it was incorporated as Trinity College, London, and was the first to grant diplomas of efficiency in music to male members of the Church of England. In 1876, Trinity established examinations in the theory of music to fill the gap left by the Royal Society of Arts. It took until 1878 for the first practical examinations to take place.

1873

The tuning department was set up at the Royal Normal College for the Blind, now the Royal National College for the Blind, Hereford, one year after the college had been founded in Norwood, London. The first annual report of the college appeals for £2500 to buy an organ, forty pianos and other instruments for orchestra. It also says "the committee beg to return their thanks to Messrs. Broadwood and Sons, Messrs. Collard and Collard, Messrs. Erard and Chappell for several pianos presented to the institution and others lent for the use of pupils." During that year Broadwood presented a complete set of models of piano actions, specially constructed for the tuning department. In 1875 Sir John Stainer wrote "the models of the various parts of the pianoforte in the department set aside for the training of tuners pleased me very much and I am not surprised to hear that some of the students of the college are earning their living as thoroughly competent tuners." It seems that Mr. J. Irvine from Broadwood's was the first teacher. By 1887 the famous A. J. Hipkins, also from Broadwood's, assisted by Mr. Irvine, were examiners. We read that "in each year we have two preliminary examinations, in which Mr. Irvine not only inspects pianos, tuned by the pupils, but sees each pupil at work, noting the manner of holding and managing the tuning hammer and damper, testing them with all varieties of trichord pianos, including overstrung instruments. Each pupil is required to demonstrate by actual performance his mechanical skill in making eyes, stringing, and ordinary light repairs, such as removing broken wrest pins, repairing hammer shanks, etc.

The third and final part of the examination is conducted by Mr. Hipkins. The work of each pupil is carefully marked with a detailed criticism in regard to defects and if the work falls below the standard required the certificates are withheld. The college authorities are determined to recommend only students who are thoroughly qualified to do good work."

1873

Sergei Rachmaninov was born.

1873

Blüthner introduced aliquot stringing, which was a fourth string placed over the others from G above middle C. It is not struck but vibrates in sympathy. It has to be chipped, and it is to the right of the trichord and slightly higher.

1875

A. B. Chase, NY and Norwalk, Ohio, USA. was established.

1876

Fletcher's was founded. Now known as Fletcher and Newman, Fletcher amalgamated with Newman's.

1876

Whapdale and Maxwell founded their firm. They were formed to import pianos from abroad. They still do this and are particularly associated with importing Blüthner pianos.

1876

Kluge started to make piano keys for the European piano industry. It now has key manufacturing plants in Wuppertal, Germany and Wilkow, Poland. The company is now owned by Steinway.

1877

The British Piano Manufacturing Co. Ltd. was established in Crown Place, Kentish Town, London. They made pianos for Windover.

1877

Barratt & Robinson was established. Barratt & Robinson developed the Kastner-Wehlau floating centre. There is no gluing of the bushing, as it is made out of plastic and was pushed into either side of the flange with a special tool, very quick and simple. They also made Minstrall, Schrieber, Skerratt and Whitton & Whitton. In 1984 the company was acquired by Broadwood.

1877

Gross & Kallmann of Berlin was established.

1877

Edison invented the gramophone.

1878

Fieiger Pianos (later changed to Calisia) was founded in 1873 by Gustaw Arnold Fieiger, at first as a repair workshop at, 549 Al. Jozefowa St., in 1898 they moved to Szewska St. later renamed to 9 Chopin St. (a corner of Nowa St.), where it has been functioning up to now. In 1878 Fieiger made his first piano. See also History of Calisia