Sprucing up the old ivories
Whitney A. Stewart
Issue date: 9/6/07 Section: Arts
This summer, the pianos in Howard Music Hall received long-overdue makeovers, and this week, a new consignment Yamaha piano joined the Steinway in McNamara Rehearsal Hall.
Lansing-based piano technician James M. Reeder of Reeder Pianos replaced the hammers and revoiced the Steinway Model "B" in Conrad Hall and completely rebuilt the inside of McNamara's nine-foot Steinway Model "D." He also sold the music department a nine-foot Yamaha concert piano.
"Instead of putting a Band-Aid on it, we thought, 'Let's really put some money into this,'" Music Department Chairman James Holleman said.
Holleman said a comparable Steinway "D" would have cost $100,000 new, but repairs on the two Steinways cost $20,000. The music department also purchased the Yamaha for just over half its asking price. The department funded the repairs and purchase with departmental money, endowments from John and Dede Howard and Wanda Felton, and college surplus funds.
"We got just a steal," he said. "And we got great support from our administrators and our donors."
The new Yamaha will be used for most concerts, but the Steinway "D" will be saved for "tier one" performances, including those by visiting artists and Assistant Professor of Music Omri Shimron's upcoming performance of a Gershwin piano concerto, Holleman said.
Music Teacher Brad Blackham said constant use had worn down the pianos' hammers and strings. He also said the soundboard's crown in the Steinway "D" had flattened and required rebuilding.
Holleman said wear and tear is normal for pianos, especially when they get played constantly.
"You can't expect a student to show up with their own grand piano," he said. "Our students don't abuse them, they just use them the way we want them to."
Holleman said he is working hard to get ahead of the maintenance schedule to keep the pianos in tiptop shape.
He said high-quality, well-maintained instruments attract quality students. This year, more than 60 students are taking piano lessons.
Junior Jonathan Chesson was one of the first students to test drive the Steinway "B" in Conrad.
He played two movements from Barber's piano sonata for a studio class last week.
"It kind of has a new piano feel to it," he said.
Lansing-based piano technician James M. Reeder of Reeder Pianos replaced the hammers and revoiced the Steinway Model "B" in Conrad Hall and completely rebuilt the inside of McNamara's nine-foot Steinway Model "D." He also sold the music department a nine-foot Yamaha concert piano.
"Instead of putting a Band-Aid on it, we thought, 'Let's really put some money into this,'" Music Department Chairman James Holleman said.
Holleman said a comparable Steinway "D" would have cost $100,000 new, but repairs on the two Steinways cost $20,000. The music department also purchased the Yamaha for just over half its asking price. The department funded the repairs and purchase with departmental money, endowments from John and Dede Howard and Wanda Felton, and college surplus funds.
"We got just a steal," he said. "And we got great support from our administrators and our donors."
The new Yamaha will be used for most concerts, but the Steinway "D" will be saved for "tier one" performances, including those by visiting artists and Assistant Professor of Music Omri Shimron's upcoming performance of a Gershwin piano concerto, Holleman said.
Music Teacher Brad Blackham said constant use had worn down the pianos' hammers and strings. He also said the soundboard's crown in the Steinway "D" had flattened and required rebuilding.
Holleman said wear and tear is normal for pianos, especially when they get played constantly.
"You can't expect a student to show up with their own grand piano," he said. "Our students don't abuse them, they just use them the way we want them to."
Holleman said he is working hard to get ahead of the maintenance schedule to keep the pianos in tiptop shape.
He said high-quality, well-maintained instruments attract quality students. This year, more than 60 students are taking piano lessons.
Junior Jonathan Chesson was one of the first students to test drive the Steinway "B" in Conrad.
He played two movements from Barber's piano sonata for a studio class last week.
"It kind of has a new piano feel to it," he said.
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