UCF Joins Prestigious Music Programs as All-Steinway Piano School
by Tom Evelyn (407-823-5988, tevelyn@mail.ucf.edu)

ORLANDO, July 24, 2006 -- The University of Central Florida Music Department has been designated the first All-Steinway Piano School in the state, joining prestigious music programs around the country such as The Juilliard School, Yale University School of Music and Teachers College at Columbia University.

"Steinways represent a worldwide standard of excellence and are the best pianos available," said Johnny Pherigo, chair of the UCF Music Department. "Becoming an All-Steinway School will raise the profile of the department, as well as the College of Arts and Humanities and UCF."

At the suggestion of Laurent Boukobza, chair of Piano Studies at UCF, the Music Department worked with the UCF Foundation and Steinway & Sons to achieve the designation. All-Steinway Schools use only Steinway pianos, from the practice room to the concert hall.

The UCF Music Department will receive a total of 26 pianos -- 22 upright and four baby grand -- for $327,000. The pianos, which will be placed mainly in student practice rooms and faculty studios, will be paid for with funding from the UCF Foundation, donations, the Music Department and the College of Arts and Humanities.

The first delivery of the pianos will arrive Tuesday, July 25, with another delivery to follow in October. The department's partnership with Steinway will continue as the music program grows.

"This partnership fits in well with the UCF goal of becoming the leading partnership university in the nation," Pherigo said. "It is also symbolic of the university's commitment to music and the arts, showing that we are a large, comprehensive university."

Pianos made by Steinway & Sons, which was founded in 1853, are highly regarded in the music industry. Each piano takes one year to create. More than 90 percent of concert pianists perform on Steinways, according to the company. The pianos also hold their financial value and are considered a great investment.

Note to reporters:

Music Department Chair Johnny Pherigo and Arts and Humanities Dean Jose Fernandez will be available from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 25, to speak with reporters as the pianos are delivered. The pianos will be delivered throughout Tuesday to Colbourn Hall just east of the west parking garage.

DATE POSTED
July 24, 2006

CONTACT
Johnny Pherigo
UCF Music
407-823-2519
jpherigo@mail.ucf.edu

Tom Evelyn
UCF News & Info
407-823-5988
tevelyn@mail.ucf.edu

DOWNLOADS
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LINKS
UCF Music
Steinway & Sons