Brooklyn College Conservatory of Music Becomes Yamaha Institution

BUENA PARK, CA (July 30, 2004) "It had been almost 20 years since we bought a new instrument suitable for classrooms, teaching studios, or performance halls," reports Nancy Hager, Director of the Brooklyn College Conservatory of Music.

Brooklyn College Conservatory of Music Director Nancy Hager (right) welcomes Yamaha representatives and artists to mark the school's new relationship with the company.

Through a new relationship with Yamaha, however, this venerable institution soon to celebrate its 75th anniversary can now offer its students the use of several brand-new instruments. Academic relationships such as this one are a major focus of Yamaha's newest department, Institutional and Commercial Services, headed up by director Mike Bates. Several executives from Yamaha attended a celebratory concert and reception on April 22 in the conservatory's Sam Levenson Recital Hall.

"When pianist Gus Anievas retired in 1998, we raised some funds to purchase two uprights, and over the past decade or so we were the fortunate beneficiaries of two donated baby grands," Hager says. "But the Conservatory of Music was in a pretty desperate situation with respect to our pianos."

"The Yamaha agreement changed all that," she continues. "We now have brand-new baby grand pianos in every classroom, a concert grand in the recital hall and uprights in the practice rooms. This is surely the single-most important enhancement of our teaching and learning facilities that has happened during the 15 years I have been the director."

"The relationship started in 2002 with a telephone inquiry regarding band instruments and digital keyboards," explains Bates. "I coordinated contact with appropriate dealers for the college, then suggested the possibility of using our pianos in the conservatory. The outcome has been wonderful for all involved."

"As a result of these negotiations," states Stan Zielinski, director of Yamaha Artist Services, Inc., "Yamaha is the official piano of the conservatory. We have a very good relationship with its piano faculty staff and good product presence for the students. The results have been immediate."

"Student after student has come up to me telling me how pleased they are with the new piano program, and with the new concert grand in our recital hall," says Brian Willson, Brooklyn College Conservatory's Concert Office Director. "The other day our Deputy Director, Bruce MacIntyre, related to me how much this piano program has meant to the conservatory what a positive thing this is."

For more information, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Piano Division, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622-6600; telephone (714) 522-9011; or e-mail infostation@yamaha.com.