Ernestine M. Raclin School of the Arts officially becomes a Steinway School

“The recognition of becoming a

Steinway School is something that should make all of us at IU South

Bend very proud. It is a standard that shows the level of quality of our music department…”

By Kate Luce

Steinway & Sons is widely regarded as creating the finest pianos in the world. With the recent addition of two Steinway & Sons pianos thanks to the generosity of the Arts Foundation Board and administration, the Raclin School of the Arts has been deemed an All-Steinway School.

Becoming a Steinway School requires meeting rigorous standards. First, 90 percent of the pianos in the school’s inventory must be Steinway & Sons products. Some of the pianos the Raclin School of the Arts owns are Boston pianos, which are mid-range instruments designed by Steinway & Sons. The Boston’s have the same qualities as the Steinway line.

Secondly, according to the Steinway & Sons website, the institution must be “committed to excellence” and host an “unparalleled educational experience.”

“When students see that we are a Steinway School, it says something about the quality of education, here at IU South Bend. We say we have a great piano studio, and we do. We should have great pianos. To be an All-Steinway School says quality," Marvin Curtis, Ernestine M. Raclin School of the Arts dean states.

Artists choose Steinway due to the company’s high standards for these pianos. No corners are cut, and all pianos are handcrafted with the artist in mind. These pianos can last a long time with proper maintenance and handling.

There are other high-end manufacturers [of pianos], but because of the superiority of the Steinway design, artists choose Steinway overwhelmingly. “About 98 percent of concerts played on stages are played on Steinway pianos. Artists, the pianists themselves, choose Steinway because it’s the best way to express their music as an artist,” says Craig Gigax, owner and president of Meridian Music Company. This level of commitment not only helps recruit students, but faculty as well. Most music faculty have experience on a Steinway piano, and know how these instruments function and handle. Offering the students, the same access provides them with a great learning opportunity. They can enhance their skills and gain experience on top-of-the-line pianos.

Thirdly, the school must have a Steinway technician who maintains the pianos regularly. The Raclin School of the Arts has employed a Steinway technician for the past six years.

In total, there are about 170 universities in the world that meet this qualification. Indiana University South Bend is the second school in Indiana that meets the requirements for an All-Steinway School. The other Steinway school is Ball State University.

“We have joined the elite music schools,” Curtis says. I’m thrilled for our hard-working students and faculty.”

Becoming a Steinway School has been a goal for Curtis since becoming the dean of the Arts 12 years ago. Because of this goal, Curtis reached out to Meridian Music Company of Carmel, Ind. the supplier of Steinway pianos to universities in Indiana.

Just 12 years later, Curtis has made his goal a reality. Currently the Raclin School of the Arts own 25 of the Steinway & Sons pianos.

“I am very proud of the fact that we have made it this far. One of the things I wanted to do before I left IU South Bend

was to make sure we received the Steinway label. We needed two more pianos, and we received two pianos.”

The designation helps push IU South Bend to the center stage of piano education in the region. A world-class education does not mean students have to travel far.

“The recognition of becoming a Steinway School is something that should make all of us at IU South Bend very proud. It is a standard that shows the level of quality of our music department and it brings IU South Bend into a group of distinguished music programs in the world that features some of the best instruments on the market. Studying music, performing, and attending concerts at IU South Bend now includes the experience of enjoying these very fine instruments. The music community looks forward to many years of wonderful performances,” Jorge Muñiz, chair of music at IU South Bend, says.

Be sure to check out the Ernestine M. Raclin School of the Arts calendar for upcoming events and hear the newest All-Steinway School in action.

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