Monthly Archives: February 2013

Mason & Hamlin Model A – Piano Review

There is nothing as elegant or beautiful as the sight and sound of a grand piano. The notes float upon the air reaching everyone’s ears. Looking upon a grand piano makes you realize how beautiful the music is going to be that comes from the keys. Unfortunately many people are unable to make the room for a grand piano. They just don’t have the space required to fit a grand piano into the room they want.

The Mason & Hamlin Model A piano came from a design by Richard Gertz, one of the 19th and 20th Century’s premiere piano designers. Gertz was trained by some of the great piano engineers at the Bösendorfer and Blüthner factories where he worked on the design and build of the modern Steinway pianos. He then moved on to design and build his own creation: the Mason & Hamlin piano.

The tonal similarities between Mason & Hamlin and Steinway pianos are no accident. In some ways, Gertz took an world-class school of thought and advanced it with his new creation at Mason & Hamlin. It is little wonder that Mason & Hamlin have a reputation for being “the poor man’s Steinway” and some even believe them to be more durable. The pianos are handcrafted in Haverhill, Massachusetts to the highest standards in the industry with materials and parts that we find to be equal or superior to the materials and parts found in much higher-priced pianos .

The Model A piano that is made by Mason & Hamlin is the grand piano for people with limited space. It is a baby grand with the dimensions needed to fit into anyone’s home with ease.

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Made with the professional in mind, the Model A Piano is perfect for any purpose – whether it is instruction or personal use. Due to new innovations in piano design and construction, the tone of this piano is very close to the depth that you find on larger grand pianos. Nothing is lost because of the size. It is perfect for homes, conservatories and musical institutions.

It is due to the innovations of today that such rich sound can come from a small piano. With dimensions of 5ft 8 ½ in in length and a width of 56.12 inches, this piano is of small stature no doubt but it is made of a hard rock maple – so it will last for generations. The grace and beauty of the piano are just the beginning.

You can get the finish to match any décor you have in your home. Whether mahogany, walnut or Brazilian rosewood is your favorite, it is available. There are also such finishes as ebony in both satin and high polish.

For pricing or more information on the Mason & Hamlin Model A, click here.

Also, from time to time we happen upon very beautiful Used (and professional restored) Mason & Hamlins, like this one. So always be on the lookout on our used pianos page.

Improving Children’s Literacy through Music Teaching

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Excerpt taken from a January 28th, 2013 article by the Institute of Education, University of London:

The New London Orchestra’s flagship education project Literacy through Music is aiming to improve primary school teachers’ confidence and skills in using music in the classroom, and provide them with methods and activities that they can use to support literacy development.

The scheme, now in its second full year, is being run by the New London Orchestra, which provided in-service training (Inset) for teachers. Sessions involving the teaching of music and literacy activities took place in 30 primary schools in the London Borough of Newham, involving around 650 teachers during 2011- 2012.

The previous (first) year’s scheme evaluation (available at http://www.imerc.org) had found that the children taking part in the scheme had significantly improved their reading abilities compared to those in control groups. This positive finding led to the NLO organising the professional development programme that built on the evaluation of the first year.

Literacy through Music is made possible through a donation to the New London Orchestra from the JPMorgan Chase Foundation.

Researchers from the Institute of Education carried out a thorough evaluation of the latest phase of the programme by surveying the teachers who took part.

Professor Graham Welch, who led the research, said:

“The New London Orchestra’s Literacy through Music project is demonstrating the power of music to enhance the quality of children’s learning in other areas of development. A key design feature is the close partnership and teamwork exhibited by NLO musicians, teachers and teaching assistants. The outcomes of the initiative are very positive”.

JKM Pianos Abound on Inauguration Day

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List of some of our pianos used on Inauguration Day, who played them, and where they were used:

Yamaha DS4 – played by Ben Folds at the National Day of Service on the National Mall
Yamaha DC3 – played by John Legend at the National Portrait Gallery for Generation Now Party
Yamaha DC3 – played by John Legend and Cyndi Lauper at the Italian Embassy for the DNC Committee Brunch
Yamaha DGB1K E3 Classic – played by Stevie Wonder at the National Building Museum for the Inaugural Candlelight Celebration
Yamaha DGB1K E3 Classic – played by Katy Perry’s Band at the Convention Center
Yamaha DC3 – played by Jamie Foxx at the Convention Center
Yamaha DS6 – played by Alicia Keys at the Commander-in-Chief Ball at the Convention Center

Elton John, Jordan Kitt’s Music and Yamaha’s 125th Anniversary

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Jordan Kitt’s was just honored with front row seats at Yamaha’s 125th Anniversary Celebration at Disneyland’s Hyperion Theater in Anaheim, CA. This concert featured performances by, among others, Michael McDonald, Toto, Sarah McLachlan and the Rocket Man himself, seen here with two familiar faces in the background (Jordan Kitt’s President Chris Syllaba center left & CFO Ray Fugere far right). Sir Elton performed on one of his custom Yamaha midi-grands, with his performance being transmitted live, note by note, through numerous Yamaha Disklavier grands in 19 different countries simultaneously! Combined with the 70-piece back-up orchestra transmitted via live video/audio feed, it was the world’s first such performance beamed live around the planet.

Jordan Kitts Music Awards Grants to Four MSMTA Teachers

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On Saturday evening, January 12 , 2013, at the MSMTA Conference held at the University of Maryland Clarice Smith Center for the Performing Arts, Jordan Kitts Music awarded four MSMTA teachers with the William J. McCormick, Jr. Grants in the amount of $400. The 2013 winners are: Susan Roberts, Linda Kazmarek, Carole Gauthier, and Bok Hwa Kim.

Martha Blakely, NCTM, Artist-in-Residence and Manager of the Jordan Kitts Music School Beltsville, and also a past MSMTA Vice-President, presented the four awards at the MSMTA Gala Concert.

William J. McCormick, Jr. began the teacher grant award program more than 23 years ago. Mr. McCormick believed that not only was education an important part of the business of piano sales, but also working with and helping local area teachers. Following in the tradition of William J. McCormick, Jr., co-owners of Jordan Kitts Music, Chris Syllaba and Ray Fugere are continuing the tradition of awarding teacher grants on a yearly basis.