Steinway Pianos - Grand Piano, Upright Piano and All Steinway Schools

A Steinway piano is an incomparable creation - a unique achievement that sets the world standard for how a piano should look, play and sound. But a Steinway grand piano or Steinway upright piano is also something more. It is a singularly inspired investment -- an instrument that combines the joy of musical perfection with the security and reassurance of financial appreciation. All-Steinway Schools demonstrate a commitment to excellence by providing their students and faculties with the best equipment possible for the study of music. That is why the only pianos owned by these institutions are designed by Steinway & Sons.

All Steinway Institutions

James Madison University Becomes "All Steinway School"

James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
Steinway & Sons and Boston Pianos

The James Madison School of Music has become the first "All Steinway" school in the state of Virginia with the purchase of 13 Steinway grand pianos and 55 Boston vertical pianos. James Madison University has catapulted itself into an elite group of distinguished schools which include Juilliard, Oberlin, the Curtis Institute, the University of Maryland and the Levine School of Music.

The pianos were delivered to the university in August and September of this year. Additional pianos will be purchased later for the new fine arts center slated to open at JMU in 2009. Thanks to a 1 million dollar gift from a music-loving, anonymous donor, JMU’s music school has achieved the “All Steinway” distinction.

Becoming “All Steinway” was a dream of JMU piano technician Terry Hook back in 1999 when the Steinway Inventory analysis was first carried out. It became a reality when Dr. Jeffrey Showell became Director of the School of Music in 2004. “Every serious school of music has acquired this designation,” said Jeffrey. “Anybody who is anybody uses a Steinway - period. This is one piece of hype that is absolutely true.” A presentation was made by the Jordan Kitt’s Institutional Department in late 2004, and by the summer of 2005, an anonymous benefactor had agreed to fund the project, and the dream became reality. A trip to Steinway’s factory in New York was planned, and the donor joined Jeffrey Showell with Eric Ruple, Gabe Dobner and Lori Plitz, of the JMU Music Faculty to select the grand pianos for JMU’s Music Building.

On September 28th, following a concert by James Madison University faculty at the Kennedy Center, JMU was presented with their “All Steinway” designation by Bruce Stevens, President of Steinway and Bill McCormick, President of JKM. That evening, the chairman of the piano department at JMU, Dr. Eric Ruple, was officially added to the exclusive Steinway Artist roster.

Levine School of Music Becomes "All Steinway School"

Levine School of Music, Washington, DC
Steinway & Sons and Boston Pianos

Levine was founded in 1976 in memory of musician and prominent Washington attorney Selma M. Levine. Started by Diana Engel, Ruth Cogen and Jackie Marlin in the basement of a small church, it has grown into one of the country's leading community music schools. The Levine School of Music is one of the few community music schools accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music and is one of only 36 institutions to qualify as an official "All-Steinway School" and is the only community music school in the nation to hold this status. In 2001 Levine completed a $600,000 campaign for the purchase of new Steinway and Boston pianos. Levine is also certified by the National Guild of Community Schools of Arts as exemplifying the highest standards of excellence and access in community arts education.

Led by Peter A. Jablow President and CEO, currently, about 180 faculty-artists teach more than 3,500 students. Each campus has a site director, and renowned performer and educator Pamela Sverjensky is the chair of the piano department.

Campuses are located in Northwest Washington at Upton Street. Levine’s Maryland Campus relocated to the Music Center at Strathmore in January 2005, joining a partnership with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Washington Performing Arts Society, National Philharmonic, CityDance Ensemble and Montgomery Classic Youth Orchestras. Levine is the primary education provider at this new arts center in Montgomery County. In addition, in May 2005, Levine moved its Southeast Campus from the Village of Parklands Shopping Center in Anacostia to the Town Hall, Education, Arts & Recreation Campus (THEARC). Levine’s Virginia campus is currently located at Westover Baptist Church in Arlington.

The Levine School of Music is a cultural and educational resource for Washington and the entire metropolitan area.

University of Maryland Becomes "All Steinway School"

University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Steinway & Sons and Boston Pianos

On Friday, October 3rd, 2003, the Jordan Kitt's Music Institutional Department and Steinway & Sons were proud to present the University of Maryland a plaque officially proclaiming them as an "All Steinway School".

The presentation was made at the opening concert of the 2003-2004 concert series. Susan Farr, Director of the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, introduced Mr. Ray Rotuna and Ms. Sally Coveleskie of Steinway & Sons along with Ken Saliba, Fred Markey and Janet Adams-Laird of Jordan Kitt's Institutional Department at the concert. Sally Coveleskie offered words of congratulations to the University and the plaque was accepted by Mr. Christoper Kendall, Chair of the School of Music and Dr. James Fry, Associate Director.

With the orchestra seated onstage and a packed concert hall, Mr. Kendall had great praise for the decision to make the University of Maryland an "All Steinway School". He also thanked Steinway & Sons and Jordan Kitt's Music for all of their efforts and expertise in this endeavor.

Fostering Creativity: Episcopal High School Becomes "All Steinway School"

Episcopal High School, Alexandria, VA
11 Steinway & Sons and Boston Pianos

Episcopal High School of Alexandria opened a fabulous new arts center this past September.

The Ainslie Arts Center, named in recognition of former Headmaster Sandy Ainslie ('56) and his wife Sharon, provides a magnificent setting for the Arts Programs of the School. A 21,000 square foot addition adjoining a renovated Pendleton Hall, this $8 million project brings together the visual and performing arts programs into one facility and increases significantly the visibility of the arts at Episcopal.

The initial meeting took place in Episcopal's architectural masterpiece Hoxton House, the restored home of Martha Washington's eldest granddaughter, Eliza Parke Custis Law. The home is the main administrative building on Episcopal's campus and had evaded historians for many years. Sitting in this exquisite and elegant example of Federal architecture, Douglas Kehlenbrink, Chair of the Arts and Director of Cultural Activities at Episcopal High School, and Janet Laird, Jordan Kitt's Institutional Director went over in detail the needs of the new Ainslie Center. The review culminated in a "hard hat" tour of the construction and renovation.

With the acquisition of eleven new Steinway and Boston pianos, Episcopal High School became an "All Steinway School". "I believe the best decision was made," said Doug.

The completely renovated Pendleton Hall has become home to a new Steinway model D concert grand. The recording studio with the latest in music composition software, digital and analog recording equipment, received a Steinway model L. The Black Box Theatre and Dance Studio, a two-story theatre space seating 100, now has a new Boston upright. The Large Ensemble room and piano teaching studios house Boston grand piano. And the practice rooms feature Boston uprights. The school also has a new Roland Piano Lab, as well as a small midi lab.