ALEXANDRIA, VA – The largest community college in the Commonwealth of Virginia recently added the distinction of becoming an All-Steinway School. But the All-Steinway campaign at Northern Virginia Community College was a bit extraordinary in that there was no campaign.

After a yearlong competitive bidding process, the Steinway Piano Gallery – Washington DC won a contract for 12 Steinway and Steinway-designed pianos. NOVA’s brand new fleet includes a Model D and two Model B grands with a mix of small grands and uprights.

Dr. Jonathan Kolm, Director of Piano Composition Programs, said the decision to make Steinways the piano of choice was based on opinions of respected colleagues and music professionals. “Students and faculty appreciate having high-quality instruments on which to teach, practice and perform,” he said.

The Steinways arrived before a grand opening of NOVA’s new Center for Design, Media and the Arts in October. The 80,000 square foot complex brings together a diverse group of disciplines comprising music, art, photography, graphic design, theater, communications, physical education and early childhood education. An art gallery, black box theater, bookstore, café and fitness center are among some of the more popular amenities.

“We now have a first-rate arts facility for students to study music, and we have the facilities to draw in students to pursue their musical goals and aspirations,” Dr. Kolm said. “We are also able to collaborate with other departments and musical groups and institutions in the area.”  The Model D occupies a prominent space in the new recital hall while all teaching studios, instrumental teaching rooms and practice rooms are equipped with Steinway & Sons pianos. Dr. Kolm and Dean Jim McClellan received the All-Steinway School plaque at NOVA’s Holiday Concert in December.

Established in 1964 as the Northern Virginia Technical College, NOVA today has nearly 80,000 students and more than 2,500 faculty and staff members at six campuses and four learning centers, according to its website. It is also one of the most internationally diverse colleges in the United States, with a student body consisting of individuals from more than 180 countries.