“...combining
the students’
imaginations
with the teachers’
abilities made
for a lot of fun...”
Dealers Reap Ongoing Benefits From
Clavinova Festivals
Yamaha’s Clavinova Festivals are renowned for building stronger community relationships. Every retailer who participates, from first-timer to veteran, reports increased Yamaha Clavinova digital piano sales following the Festival. The sales derived from continuing interest—and increased student and teacher contacts—often take place months after the applause has stopped.
Gary Bowman, president and general manager of Morgenroth Music Center in Missoula, MT, says many of the teachers who were part of his store’s first Clavinova Festival last April were a little apprehensive. “They were afraid they wouldn’t find a creative bone in their bodies,” Bowman says. “But combining the students’ imaginations with the teachers’ abilities made for a lot of fun for everyone. The teachers learned about Clavinova digital pianos—and about their students. It was a great insight into who was teaching whom.”
Held at the brand new Missoula Children’s Theater, the Clavinova Festival drew about 300 people, including 10 teachers and 96 first-time performers. “Clavinova Festival National Coordinator Lori Frazer made it all so easy,” Bowman says. “She spelled everything out, and even flew up here for a meeting with the teachers. The Festival made all of us at the store such proponents of the Clavinova that they now outsell the competition.”
Twelve-year old Abby Volkmann cried tears of joy when she won the grand prize drawing for a Clavinova CLP820. Her teacher, Festival Coordinator and Yamaha Music School instructor Anne Marie Brinkman, and teacher Sharon MacQuarrie were among three teachers who purchased Clavinova digital pianos. “It was a real high,” Bowman admits. “Two families purchased CVP107s, too. It was a really successful event. We’re already planning our next one for March 2001.” In lieu of admission fees, 200 cans of food were donated to the Missoula Food Bank.
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| Clavinova Festival participants at Morganroth Music in Missoula, MT |