"P laying a Steinway feels like being at home— content, connected

ALL -STEINWAY
Keys to Excellence: Walnut Hill Commits
to Becoming an All-Steinway School
E
very artist is unique, but did you know that the same holds true for each Steinway piano? A single instrument
takes a full year to build and passes through the hands of hundreds of master craftsmen before gracing a practice
room, stage, or recital hall. Just as every student reaches her full potential through the shaping and support of many
instructors, each piano emerges with its own type of musical qualities thanks to the delicate process of its creation.
Through the All-Steinway Campaign, Walnut Hill aspires to equip students with a variety of models to suit many musical needs. Read on to learn more about the strides we’ve made and what our current students have to say about this
exciting development.
WALNUT HILL PIANO OVERVIEW
2012–13
2013–14
TOTAL NUMBER OF PIANOS
36
36
AVERAGE AGE OF PIANOS
37 YEARS
23 YEARS
PIANOS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION
5
15
NUMBER OF STEINWAYS
8
15
NUMBER OF PIANOS UNDER 10 YEARS OLD
6
16
NUMBER OF PIANOS OVER 30 YEARS OLD
13
8
a Steinway feels like being at home—
" P layingcontent,
connected, fulfil led. "
— Szu-Ting "Ormay" Chen ’14
STEINWAY D GRAND
1 2 | Behind Stowe
STEINWAY B GRAND
STEINWAY UPRIGHT 1098
www.walnuthillarts.org
PLAYING A STEINWAY PIANO IS LIKE . . .
“ inviting in the music.” (Q ianhe Li ’15)
“ taking a hot shower after a cold wal k.” (George Teng ’14)
“ an honor.” (Crystal Leung ’15)
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
W
hen selecting the new Steinways this summer, Director of Music Evan Bennett had help from Bruce Brubaker,
chair of the NEC College Piano Department, and Sergey Schepkin, associate professor of piano at Carnegie
Mellon and NEC Preparatory School faculty member. The three tested out 17 instruments at M. Steinert & Sons showroom in Boston before selecting a fleet that offered a broad range of tones, colors, and actions, suitable for every kind
of student and faculty member on campus.
After the decisions had been made, Bennett surprised both Brubaker and Schepkin by sharing the news that all 10
pianos were going directly into music practice rooms and rehearsal studios. Brubaker commented on the incredible rarity of a school buying the students’ practice room instruments first, as opposed to upgrading the more visible
concert instruments. Brendan Murphy of M. Steinert & Sons was quick to echo this sentiment: “I think the fact that
Walnut Hill chose to make these new pianos practice room instruments says a lot about the School and demonstrates
its commitment to providing excellent learning experiences for its students.”
The choice to equip the practice rooms first seems to have made all the difference. Take a look at what students are
saying about the impact of the new pianos on their practicing:
“I practice more than usual.” (Alicia Juan ’15)
“It’s a surprise each time! It puts me in a good mood.” (Kaori Nakagome ’14)
“The sound is warmer.” (Niu Niu Zhang ’14)
INVENTORY OF PIANOS ON WALNUT HILL’S CAMPUS
2011
2013
AVERAGE AGE OF PRACTICE ROOM PIANOS
NUMBER OF PIANOS RATED EXCELLENT
41 YEARS
0; 0% 0 YEARS
15; 41.7%
88 KEYS (52 WHITE, 36 BLACK) • 240+ STRINGS • CASE THE SIZE OF A BATHTUB
STEINWAY M GRAND
Fall 2013 & Winter 2014
STEINWAY A GRAND
BOSTON UPRIGHT 132
Behind Stowe | 13