Brooklyn Conservatory of Music to Host Steinway Day Festival February 21
Conservatory Will Celebrate All-Steinway School Status with Open House and Free Concert by Jazz Great Kenny Barron
ASTORIA, NY (February 19, 2020) – On Friday, February 21, the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music (BKCM) will host an event to celebrate the institution’s recent achievement of the prestigious “All-Steinway School” designation. BKCM is now one of only three non-profit community music schools in the United States to carry this distinction, which represents a promise to offer only the finest pianos in the world to the school’s students, faculty, visiting artists, and community users. The designation will be marked by Friday’s “Steinway Day” Piano Festival and Open House, which will culminate with a free evening performance by jazz legend and Steinway Artist Kenny Barron. Free tickets will be released on Thursday, February 20 at bkcm.org/steinwayday.
BKCM’s new All-Steinway School status was made possible through $1.05 million in capital funding from New York City. Through this funding, BKCM overhauled its piano inventory and acquired 19 brand-new Steinways including eight uprights, ten grands, and one stunning Model B concert grand for the BKCM concert hall. These pianos are now used by the Conservatory’s more than 250 piano students as well as faculty and hundreds of members of the community through BKCM’s partnership with Spaceworks, a non-profit dedicated to creating space for artists in New York City. The pianos are also available for public use at deeply discounted rental rates.
Friday’s celebration events include:
4 – 6 pm: Open House
• Performances by more than 20 local artists, including BKCM faculty and students
• Mini lessons
• Activities for all ages
• Public opportunities to play, hear, and touch the new Steinways
6 – 7 pm: Final Concert and Honors
• All-Steinway School plaque presentation by Steinway & Sons
• Free public concert featuring NEA Jazz Master and Steinway Artist Kenny Barron, named by The Los Angeles Times as “one of the top jazz pianists in the world” and recognized by Jazz Weekly as “the most lyrical piano player of our time.”
All events take place at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music Concert Hall, 58 7th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, 11217.
“The acquisition of the All-Steinway School designation will allow thousands of musicians, from beginners to virtuosos, of all ages and walks of life, to learn and to make music on the world’s finest pianos,” said Chad Cooper, Executive Director of BKCM. “In addition to our educational mission, BKCM is committed to presenting accessible, world-class musical performances. With our new Steinways and newly-renovated concert hall, we have solidified ourselves as one of the finest performance venues in Brooklyn, presenting music across all genres. We extend sincere thanks to New York’s Department of Cultural Affairs, Borough President Eric Adams, Councilman Brad Lander, and Councilman Stephen Levin for their dedication to this project.
“We’re very proud to partner with BKCM and to help them celebrate their new All-Steinway School status,” said Karen Beluso, Institutional Sales Manager for Steinway & Sons. “BKCM is uniquely committed to the community, and we are very pleased to be a part of their mission to build community and transform lives through music. This will be an exciting celebration not just for the Conservatory, but for the many residents, students, and artists in the region who will be impacted by their work.
About the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music
The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music (BKCM), founded in 1897, is Brooklyn’s premiere destination for music education and music therapy. Headquartered in Park Slope, its mission is to transform lives and build community through the expressive, educational, and therapeutic powers of music. BKCM provides music education and music therapy to over 7,500 New Yorkers across all five boroughs. Outside of our home, BKCM provides high-quality music education and music therapy at more than 70 public schools and community-based organizations and hosts more than 230 concerts, recitals, and special events a year. BKCM has 185 faculty and staff. For more information, visit bkcm.org
About Steinway & Sons
Since 1853, Steinway pianos have set an uncompromising standard for sound, touch, beauty, and investment value. Because of a dedication to continuous improvement, today’s Steinway remains the choice of 9 out of 10 concert artists, and it is the preferred piano of countless musicians, professional and amateur, throughout the world. For more information, visit www.steinway.com.
Media Contacts:
Brooklyn Conservatory of Music
Martin Porter
martin.porter@bkcm.org
718-622-3300 x227
Steinway & Sons
Anthony Gilroy
agilroy@steinway.com
(718) 204-3116
