“We provided

eight student

units and one

teacher unit to

get the program

started.”

Pittsburgh Schools Embrace Clavinovas

A 1998 pilot program at Columbus Middle School, one of 103 schools in the Pittsburgh Public School System (PPSS), is blossoming into the largest single institutional Yamaha Clavinova digital piano account. And it all started with a simple Clavinova lab installation.

“We provided eight student units and one teacher unit to get the program started,” says Patricia Neeper, a vice president at Trombino Music Centers. “The program’s popularity led to placement of four additional student units, with plans for more.” In addition, two Clavinova Festivals and a school board meeting performance helped stoke initial enthusiasm, prompting funding of a free summer program for 18 inner city piano students. This spring, history and English students are using the Clavinova digital pianos to create music for an academic segment on slavery.

Piano lab at Reizenstein Middle School, Pittsburgh, PA

The buzz about the program at Columbus reached Tom Kosmala, PPSS education director, who was determined to bring similar programs into all 103 schools. Starting with Westinghouse High School (alma mater of Errol Garner, Ahmad Jamal, and other renowned musicians) made sense, since a multi-million dollar renovation was already underway.

The budget for the Clavinova lab was incorporated into the building fund, providing for 16 CVP103s, 10 CVP107s, three CVP105s, and an MLC100 classroom system. Since the Reizenstein Middle School feeds into Westinghouse, another Clavinova lab will be installed with one CVP107, eight CVP103s (with eight more planned), and an MLC100 control system.

“It takes a lot of work to make the program successful,” Neeper concedes. She hired educator Ken Bott to coordinate teaching and resource sharing, and Yamaha Specialists Dennis Stanfill, Joy Carden, and Susan Ogilvy regularly visit Trombino’s in-store Clavinova lab to offer workshops and private consultations for teachers, who often visit after school hours.

Piano lab at Westinghouse High School, Pittsburgh, PA

Trombino’s helped Carnegie Mellon University install a prototype music technology lab in 1990, and the store’s “sideline” has since warranted increasing attention. “We’re a $3 million dollar store in the heart of Pittsburgh’s thriving cultural district,” Neeper notes. “Last year, almost 10 percent of our business was Clavinova digital piano labs.”

“The kids at Columbus are doing better academically, no question, and the stories would make you cry,” she continues. “One little boy in remedial classes absolutely loved music and had a very good ear. When he performed ‘Star Wars’ at a Clavinova Festival, his parents were literally in tears, and he just basked in the applause. It was the first time he had been successful,” Neeper adds. “The program really helps build self-esteem and concentration.”