Steinway School dream a step closer for Peter Symonds College

They took delivery of a brand-new Steinway Model B grand piano and four upright pianos as part of the College’s ambition.

They replace some of the older pianos in the Music Department in a project spear-headed by Dr Samantha Carrasco, Head of Keyboard at the College.

With the arrival of the new pianos Peter Symonds College is eligible to join the Steinway Initiative with a view to becoming an All Steinway School in the future.

The new pianos were unveiled at a special concert featuring Peter Symonds music students Zosia Pilsworth, Hanna Csermely, Archie McMorran and Archie Thornton, who played a range of pieces accompanied by Dr Carrasco.

As an All Steinway School, pupils will perform on Steinway instruments and have regular masterclasses with Steinway artists and the opportunity to perform in the recital space at London’s Steinway Hall. The arrival of the five pianos was marked by a world premiere and recording of a piece entitled Lockdown Reflections by student Archie McMorran, who is going to study composition at Trinity Laban next year.

World-renowned jazz pianist composer, broadcaster and author Julian Joseph also attended the concert, having previously accompanied College Principal Sara Russell and Dr Carrasco to the Steinway showrooms in London to help them select the new grand piano.

Student performer Hanna Csermely said: “Steinway pianos allow students to develop certain aspects of their playing better than on other pianos – for example, a larger tonal variety allows you to really work on bringing out the different tonal colours of a piece.

“This initiative is really exciting for Music students at the College,” Hanna continued. “You usually see pianos of this high quality at conservatoires and private institutions so it will open so many doors for students at Peter Symonds, offering opportunities they wouldn’t get elsewhere.”