On Monday, Oct. 23, Steinway & Sons, a long established and prominent piano maker, delivered 50 pianos to West Chester University’s new performing arts center, making the university one of only 65 “All-Steinway” schools worldwide. To be considered an “All-Steinway” school, 90 percent of the school’s pianos must be crafted by Steinway & Sons. WCU is the first public university in Pennsylvania to be given this honor. After this delivery, the university will have 111 Steinway designed pianos, valued at $2.2 million. Steinway provides more than 95 percent of the world’s concert halls with their concert grand piano model.
Two “baby grands,” nine-foot concert pianos, were delivered as well as upright pianos. There will be 36 uprights, eleven 5’7” grands, two nine-foot concert grands and one seven-foot grand throughout the new Swope Music Building and Performing Arts Center. Members of the university marching band provided entertainment as the pianos were carried into the building.
University President Dr. Madeleine Wing Adler, Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts Dr. Tim Blair and representatives from Jacobs Music, a Steinway piano dealer, joined in the celebration, as well as faculty and students of the music department.
The $32 million performing arts center will officially open in spring 2007. The center itself is built in the shape of a grand piano. The new center will feature a 375-seat theatre as well as a 125-seat recital hall. An art gallery will also be in the building. The center will host campus, as well as community events. It is located on High Street, next to the Bull Center.