Yu-Lien The, Professor of Keyboard Studies, playing new Steinway D.
In 2011, Western Michigan University joined the ranks of schools like Oberlin College, Carnegie Mellon, Curtis Institute of Music, and the like, who have chosen only Steinway and Steinway-Designed pianos for their piano faculty and students. This year, the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation agreed to fund the replacement of all the remaining pianos that were in poor condition and were not from the Steinway Family of Fine Pianos. It was a $1.8 million investment.
The purchase was organized by Steinway Artist Lori Sims, from the WMU Music Department, and Tim Hoy, President of Steinway Piano Gallery of Detroit. After a thorough evaluation of each piano at the University, Tim Hoy made the appropriate recommendations, and the University replaced all the 9’ concert pianos, along with all faculty and studio pianos. They also purchased a Steinway Spirio | r.
The Steinway Spirio | r is the world’s finest high-resolution player piano capable of live performance capture and playback. It is also equipped with Spiriocast, which allows for high resolution remote piano broadcasting. Spiriocast can be integrated with your home AV system, allowing you to attend live concerts in your own living room.
Now, every piano in the University is relatively new and is a Steinway or Steinway-Designed Boston or Essex piano. The WMU Music Department provides an incredible opportunity for new students coming in. The benefits of becoming an All-Steinway school speak for themselves. All-Steinway schools demonstrate a full commitment to excellence by providing their students and faculties with the finest pianos possible for the study of music in higher education.
Have all your questions answered — by phone or email.