Butte College
News Announcement

Butte College Celebrates All-Steinway School Designation

When Butte College faculty and administrators took on the task of replacing an aging inventory of instruments with Steinway & Sons and Steinway-designed pianos last spring they set the music department on a path to provide a higher level of music education and earn an international distinction. The prestigious All-Steinway School designation identifies those colleges, universities and conservatories that have committed to using only Steinway and Steinway-designed pianos in their classroom, practice and performance spaces — thus ensuring students have access to the world’s finest pianos. With this accolade, Butte College joins the ranks of only around 250 schools worldwide.

For the Butte College Music Department, the ten new pianos enhance the learning environment and position the department to better serve students in the North State. Among the new additions is the Steinway & Sons Model B Grand Piano, a centerpiece of musical excellence that will elevate the learning and performance experiences for students and faculty.

“Before receiving our new Steinways, we did not have enough pianos to meet the needs of our students and faculty. The several we did have had seen much use over many years and were significantly past the end of their life,” said Ryan Heimlich, chair of the music department at Butte College. “Steinway pianos are renowned for their artistic quality and durability, making them the instrument of choice for teaching, performing, professional pianists, and recording artists. I cannot believe the good fortune bestowed upon us, and I pinch myself every day to make sure I am not dreaming. I am just so thankful for the support we have received from Butte College, and I am truly excited for our students to have the opportunity to learn on such amazing instruments.” 

“I was lucky and received the honor of being the first Butte College student to play on the Steinway Grand Piano,” said Butte College music student Ellieana Gifford. “It was my first time playing that particular brand of piano, and I could instantly sense its ability to create a resonance that was beyond any of the pianos that I had played previously. I spent many hours throughout the rest of that semester with the grand piano.”

Administrators for the college also shared their enthusiasm about the school’s distinction.

“The significance of achieving All-Steinway School status cannot be overstated. It reflects our college’s investment in quality,” said Butte College Superintendent/President Virginia Guleff. “By ensuring that students have an opportunity to learn and practice on the best tools of their trade, Butte College reaffirms its commitment to fostering a culture of musical excellence.”

To celebrate this achievement, Butte College will host the Steinway Soirée: Celebrating Music at Butte College on April 19 at 6:00 p.m. in the Butte College Arts Building and Black Box Theater. This event promises an evening of musical enchantment, featuring faculty and student performances alongside a special presentation by Dr. Kirill Gliadkovsky on the college’s new Steinway Model B Grand Piano. The evening will also include silent auctions and refreshments. Steinway and Son’s representatives will be on hand to present the college with the distinction.

To purchase tickets to the Steinway Soirée, visit buttecollegemusic.ludus.com. Proceeds from the event will benefit the students of the Butte College Music Department.

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ABOUT BUTTE COLLEGE

Butte College is an accredited community college that serves approximately 15,000 students a year. Butte College is a student-ready, rural community college that provides high-quality, accessible education and support. Our career and transfer pathways cultivate curiosity and critical thinking through instruction, workforce training and the achievement of associate degrees and certificates. Butte College is a Hispanic-Serving Institution that affirms its commitment to equity for the diverse, intersectional communities we serve. 

ABOUT STEINWAY & SONS

For 170 years, Steinway & Sons has been dedicated to making world-class pianos. Founded in 1853 by German immigrant Henry Engelhard Steinway in a Manhattan loft, our pioneering handcrafted methods are still employed today to ensure our uncompromising standards of quality, in turn ensuring that the Steinway remains the peerless instrument of uncompromising expression. Discover the craftsmanship of our world-class pianos.