The University of Memphis Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music has acquired a new Steinway Model D concert grand piano for use in the Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center’s Plough Foundation Performance Hall. This addition comes after years of planning to enhance the school’s piano inventory, particularly in anticipation of the completion of the Scheidt Center.
Funded by the vision and generosity of donors, trusts, and foundations, Dr. Artina McCain, associate professor of piano, Dr. Kevin Sanders, former School of Music director andSchool of Music collaborative pianist Amy Nguyen, journeyed to the Steinway & Sons Factory in Queens, N.Y. There, where McCain and Nguyen meticulously assessed and played various Steinway Model D pianos, considering each instrument’s unique characteristics and how it would serve the school and the broader community in various performances.
McCain expressed her excitement, saying, “We are thrilled to welcome a new Steinway Model D to the Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center. This addition will significantly enhance the musical experiences of our School of Music students, faculty, and the entire Memphis concert community.”
The Model D will not only complement the school’s existing pianos, but also offer artists a diverse range of sound profiles to choose from. Its accessibility to students and external arts organizations, such as the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, will further enrich musical opportunities at the university and beyond.
