Gershwin, Joel... and pupils at York school join Steinway club
THE NAME is the epitome of quality for the world’s leading pianists.
And now a York school has become the first in North Yorkshire to have a host of Steinway pianos for pupils to practise on.
The Mount School, where Oscar-winning actress Dame Judi Dench attended, has become the county’s first All-Steinway School after taking delivery of 10 new pianos which students and staff selected during a trip to London.
The Mount is also the first allgirls’ school in the North of England to receive the internationally recognised designation as an AllSteinway School.
Only 20 schools in the UK have the accreditation, along with three conservatories and six universities.
The Mount School’s head of music, Rachel Derbyshire, said: “We are delighted with the opportunities this investment creates for our girls.
“Not only will they play on the highest quality instruments, but they can look forward to working with visiting Steinway artists in addition to our wonderful specialist peripatetic teaching staff.
“I am proud of how our AllSteinway status reinforces our belief in the importance of creativity in girls’ education.”
The company was founded in 1853 in Manhattan by German piano builder Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg.
It has since garnered a reputation as one of the leading piano manufacturers in the world.
Musicians who have played Steinways include Billy Joel, George Gershwin and Cole Porter.