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philanthropy
From the Budokan in Tokyo, to the Bokamoso Youth Centre in South
Africa, to the Metropolitan Opera in New York, GW musicians have tickled
the ivories around the world. But before they reach those piano performances,
they log countless hours of practice at the Foggy Bottom Campus.
Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, that practice now takes place on
prestigious Steinway-designed pianos.
The 28 new American-made pianos, which arrived at the end of July, established
GW as an all-Steinway university. It’s a level of recognition that place’s the
Columbian College Music Department, which celebrated its 50th anniversary
this year, in the company of the Juilliard School, Yale University, and the Curtis
Institute of Music.
“This extraordinary gift allows us to offer our students American musical craft
at its best,” said Karen Ahlquist, associate music professor and former department
chair. “These instruments will bring out the essence of the music performed
on them and handsomely reward the effort of practice.”
www.columbian.gwu.edu philanthropy page 32
Sophomore
Stephanie Stich
plays one
of the 28 new
Steinway-designed pianos.
going “All-steinway” with
largest gift in music department history
“This extraordinary gift allows us to offer our
students American musical craft at its best.”
Karen Ahlquist
The new Steinways have been placed in GW’s
teaching studios, practice rooms, the performance
hall, and the recording studio. One
also sits in University President Steven Knapp’s
home at the F Street House. The Steinway gift
includes 10 grand pianos, one of which sits in
lisner Auditorium, and 18 Steinway-designed
Boston pianos.
“We are so appreciative of this very generous
commitment to enrich the lives of our students
and broaden the scope of our music programs,”
said Columbian College Dean peg Barratt.
The anonymous Steinway donor also contributed
to the GW Power & Promise Fund, a
GW student aid initiative. The gift will establish
a new scholarship and support the existing
George Steiner Music Scholarship fund.