← Steinway.com ← Boston Pianos ← In the News ← Fall/Winter 2008 Boston Newsletter
Quality school, quality sound
Trinity University represents quality... including its Boston pianos.
Any university named number one in U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” guide for 16 consecutive years must have the best of everything. Faculty. Facilities. Financial resources. Academic reputation. Even Steinway-designed pianos.
In a move that has faculty and students applauding, Trinity University in San Antonio has made a significant commitment to its music majors by renovating its music facilities and replacing some of its aged instruments with high-quality Boston pianos.
“Our students are quietly uplifted with quality instruments around, and the new pianos give energy to our program,” says Dr. Carl Leafstedt, Trinity’s music department chairman. “Now our goal is to become an All-Steinway School.” The liberal arts university began the initiative by acquiring three Boston upright pianos, explains Deborah Moore, institutional director for Steinway Piano Gallery in San Antonio, the exclusive dealer for the family of Steinway-designed pianos in the greater San Antonio market. In addition, the school purchased two Steinway-designed Essex grand pianos.
The instruments arrived soon after the reconstructed Smith Music Building opened in the Ruth Taylor Fine Arts Center on campus, where practice studios – with enhanced acoustics – were built for students and faculty. “Extensive work was done to soundproof the rooms,” says Dr. Ken Greene, music professor and former music department chair, who selected the new pianos. “Doors have been designed to seal off sound from spilling into neighboring rooms, but will allow music to go into the hallway.” Dr. Leafstedt adds, “We’re grateful to Trinity that they committed to large faculty offices that can hold these new Boston pianos with their richer sound. We just love them.”
Dr. Leafstedt admits the university had a number of pianos that were not in the best condition, so upgrading to instruments with a Steinwaypedigree was … ahem … music to everyone’s ears. “The Steinway name ensures the durability of these pianos,” Dr. Leafstedt says. “We’re confident they’ll last nicely.”
This historically Presbyterian institution in culturally rich San Antonio has a student body of about 2,700 students, including 50 to 60 music majors. Each year, more than 500 students participate in music classes, ensembles, and private or class lessons. Faculty artist-performers include many members of the San Antonio Symphony.
Trinity University, founded in 1869, is one of the nation’s top private undergraduate institutions, noted for its superior academic quality, outstanding faculty and exceptional academic and residential resources. Among its many honors, Trinity is included in the 2008 edition of “Best 366 Colleges” by The Princeton review.“Anyone who knows anything about music or pianos knows the Steinway name has a remarkable reputation for quality,” Dr. Leafstedt observes. “And acquiring these Steinway-designed pianos for our students and faculty demonstrates Trinity’s commitment to quality music education.”