Nothing but New York Steinways for New Conservatory at Piedmont College
DEMOREST, GA – Through the overwhelming generosity of an anonymous donor, the new Conservatory of Music at Piedmont College will be graced with 22 beautiful Steinway & Sons pianos.
Steinway Piano Galleries Atlanta worked with President James F. Mellichamp and Dr. Jeri-Mae Astolfi, artist-in-residence, to develop a custom inventory of eleven grands and eleven uprights handcrafted at the Steinway factory in Astoria. The acquisition was made possible by a friend “who believes in the importance of Piedmont becoming an All-Steinway School.”
“The completion of our new Conservatory of Music coupled with our ability to join the elite company of All-Steinway schools will allow our talented music faculty and graduates to achieve more than we could possibly have ever imagined,” said Dr. Mellichamp, who has served on the music faculty since 1982.
“We are exceedingly grateful and excited for the opportunity to furnish our institution with 22 new Steinway pianos,” said Dr. Astolfi. “This will not only have a significant impact on Piedmont College, but it will also enhance the cultural life of the greater Piedmont College community.”
“This will not only have a significant impact on Piedmont College, but it will also enhance the cultural life of the greater Piedmont College community.”
“The joy of this gift will reach Piedmont students, teachers and audiences in so many exhilarating ways,” added Sally Coveleskie, National Director of Higher Education Sales at Steinway & Sons NY. “Music is written in measures but delights in the immeasurable, infinitely connecting humans through an endless rolling stream of inspiration and imagination.”
A private liberal arts college founded in 1897, Piedmont maintains campuses in Demorest and Athens with a combined enrollment of more than 2,450 students. The college gets high marks from various sources for its impressive student-to-teacher ratio of 11 to 1. Demorest is a proven magnet for Fine Arts, with nearly 20 percent of all undergraduates majoring in visual arts, theatre or music. More than 200 students participate in academic music programs, choirs and ensembles.
Students are eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Steinways. “I can’t wait to hear the music they’ll create,” Justin Approbato, a junior music education major told The Roar, a student publication.
Beck Design of Tulsa is teaming with Atlanta-based Juneau Construction to create more than 20,000 square feet of ultra-modern space for the Department of Music. Plans for the $7.89 million conservatory call for two state-of-the-art classrooms; a 2,400 square foot concert hall; eight acoustically isolated teaching/practice rooms and new office space. A signature grand foyer will connect the conservatory to the Chapel, Piedmont’s main performance venue that will be enhanced with eight refurbished practice rooms, an updated technology lab and other spaces. The work should be completed by fall 2019.
Steinway Piano Galleries Atlanta President Chris Syllaba, Vice President Steve Mills and legendary Institutional Sales Director Ike Van Meter joined forces over four years to fulfill the All-Steinway dream. “We are delighted that Piedmont College made Steinway pianos their instruments of choice and warmly welcome them to an expanding roster of All-Steinway schools in Georgia,” Syllaba said.
