By Steve Esser
YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. — The Music Department at Young Harris College received two brand new Steinway grand pianos recently as a result of generous donations from the local community, alumni, and faculty.
The seven-foot grand pianos were on display Feb. 23 for a dedication event that evening. The event began with a donor reception and performance on the piano in the Clegg Fine Arts Building and transitioned across campus to the piano in the Susan B. Harris Chapel.
“Young Harris College is about excellence, just as Steinway is focused on excellence,” said Dr. John Wells, YHC president, as he thanked the donors at the dedication. “This dedication symbolizes the commitment to the arts we hold here at the College. And we are so thankful for the wonderful donors who make events like this possible.”
Keith DeFoor, interim vice president of Academic Affairs, and several instructors and students performed a variety of music on the donated Steinways.
“The new Steinway pianos elevated each performance to an all-new level,” said Tonya Schober, following the evening dedication performance. Tonya and her husband, Doug, were among the donors who made the Steinway dedication possible. “Now, we understand why the All-Steinway Initiative is paramount to YHC’s Department of Music. We are looking forward to future performances.”
In addition to DeFoor, YHC faculty members and accompanists performed, including Christina Toole, Jeff Bauman, Shelley Sanderson, Richard Knepp, Cynthia DeFoor, Anita Guss, and Suzanne West. The YHC Concert Band Chamber Winds, led by Hayes Bunch, and Chamber Choir, led by Bauman, also performed, as well as individual performances from Peyton Barrett, class of 2025, and Holly Veraline, a community student of Cynthia DeFoor.
“These pianos are already shaping the daily lives of students here, giving them instruments worthy of their dedication,” said Alice Tillman Bryant, institutional director for Steinway Piano Galleries Atlanta. “For students, a piano is not an object – it’s a daily partner in discipline, discovery, and artistry. When students practice on great instruments, they begin to imagine greater futures. Great institutions are remembered not just for their buildings, but for the sounds that come from them. Our legacy at YHC is not behind us – it’s sitting at the keyboard.”
Steinway celebrated its 173rd birthday on March 5, Bryant added, pointing out that Steinway & Sons has been committed to supporting institutions with instruments that define the highest standard in musical education and performance. Young Harris College has purchased two upright pianos and two 7-foot grand pianos, with plans to further strengthen its program through the acquisition of a 9-foot Steinway Model D and additional Steinway instruments for faculty studios, classrooms, and practice spaces.
“The new Steinway pianos are tremendous additions to the Department of Music and the College,” DeFoor said. “Students, faculty, and staff will benefit from these magnificent instruments for generations to come.”
For information regarding YHC’s All-Steinway Initiative, please contact Bobbie Thompson at [email protected] or (706) 379-5334.
About Young Harris College
Young Harris College is a private baccalaureate and master’s degree-granting institution located in the beautiful mountains of Northeast Georgia. Founded in 1886 and historically affiliated with The United Methodist Church, Young Harris College educates, inspires, and empowers students through an education that purposefully integrates the liberal arts and professional studies. The College offers 34 majors and 23 minors, ranging from biology or outdoor studies to business administration or kinesiology. Approximately 1,400 students are enrolled in its residential and Early College programs. The College is an active member of the NCAA Division II and remains a fierce competitor in the Conference Carolinas. For more information, visit yhc.edu.
