UVic Takes It Up An Octave

The University of Victoria becomes Canada’s first All-Steinway School

Canadian jazz musician Diana Krall plays one, and so does Chinese classical pianist Lang Lang. Now, thanks to a partnership between the University of Victoria (UVic) and Steinway & Sons—the first of its kind in Canada—all of the music students and faculty at UVic will be playing on Steinway-designed pianos. That’s because UVic is now Canada’s first All-Steinway school which means that Steinway-designed pianos will be available in all practice rooms, studios and concert halls and will be maintained by Steinway-trained technicians.

“This is an investment in the future of University of Victoria music students, as well as an investment in the future of Canadian culture,” says Sarah Blackstone, dean of the UVic Faculty of Fine Arts. “Our students deserve to learn and perform on the very best pianos available, and the students who use these pianos will soon become the premier Canadian artists of their generation. In the meantime, Victoria will have the great pleasure of hearing talented artists work with superior instruments for many years to come.”

“Every University of Victoria music student is a performer,” says Gerald King, director of the UVic School of Music. “The School of Music seeks to attract the best students in all areas, and these pianos are integral to their success. By attending UVic, students will receive a balance of performance and academic training that prepares them for professional careers as performers, scholars, educators and composers. The acquisition of the Steinway pianos will enable the school to provide an outstanding experience for all students.”

UVic becomes the 99th All-Steinway School in the world joining famous schools such as The Juilliard School; Yale School of Music; China Conservatory, School of Piano and the University of Melbourne. UVic has purchased 60 new Steinway & Sons and Steinway-designed Boston Pianos from Tom Lee Music, Steinway & Sons authorized representative for British Columbia. The pianos they replace will go to Tom Lee Music for resale.

“We congratulate the University of Victoria on its historic achievement,” says Simon Phillips, Vancouver Island regional manager for Tom Lee Music. “The All-Steinway School designation will help to further establish UVic’s School of Music as one of the finest music schools in the world and will serve as a shining example to all other schools in Canada.”

The $1.1 million dollar acquisition is being funded through a financing arrangement between UVic and Tom Lee Music. However, the university is asking for the support of donors and arts patrons for additional funding.

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University of Victoria music student Yuki Tampo-Hinton and Canadian pianist Arthur Rowe, professor of piano at UVic, sit at a concert grand “D” Steinway piano—one of UVic’s 60 new Steinway-designed pianos. UVic has just been named Canada’s first All-Steinway School. PHOTO CREDIT: Gary McKinstry

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University of Victoria music student Yuki Tampo-Hinton plays a concert grand “D” Steinway piano—one of UVic’s 60 new Steinway-designed pianos. UVic has just been named Canada’s first All-Steinway School. PHOTO CREDIT: Gary McKinstry

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