Western Reserve Academy Unveils Their New “Bicentennial Steinway”

Hudson, Ohio’s Western Reserve Academy, recognized by U.S. News and World Report as one of the top college-preparatory schools in the country, is on the cusp of celebrating its 200th anniversary, and the school has acquired a very special Steinway piano to mark the occasion.

“Reserve,” as it is known to the elite school community, was founded in 1826 as an educational outpost in the Ohio wilderness of the Western Reserve. As part of its upcoming 200th anniversary celebration, Reserve has welcomed a new Steinway Model B concert piano to its historic campus. This stunning new instrument replaces their 1887 Steinway Model C, which served many decades in the school’s newly restored historic Chapel. The purchase was made possible by gifts from their alumni and marks a significant milestone in Reserve’s rich history and its ongoing commitment to excellence in the musical arts.

The new “Bicentennial Steinway” was selected from Steinway Piano Gallery Cleveland by Fine and Performing Arts Faculty members Margaret Karam and Ed Leonard. It will now play a key role in helping Reserve provide world-class musical experiences for its students, faculty, and visiting artists. About celebrating the new piano, Midge Karam said, “We have been featuring musicians from the class of 2026, the Bicentennial class! Jessica Sun, ’26, was the first student to play our new Steinway and the first person to play it publicly, performing Claire de lune at morning meeting. At Reunion weekend, Evan Dean, ’26, introduced the new Model B to alumni with Liszt’s Liebestraume and both were spectacular performances that were made even more so because of the new piano!”

“The new Bicentennial Steinway will allow them to attract top-tier artists to provide exceptional performance experiences for generations to come.”

Western Reserve Academy’s relationship with Steinway Piano Gallery Cleveland spans decades, with the Gallery regularly hosting sales events, cultural performances, and performances by Steinway Artists in their store to support Reserve’s varied musical activities. Likewise, Reserve’s historic Chapel has been the site of numerous musical events supporting Steinway Piano Gallery Cleveland and the addition of this new piano ensures that all future performances will continue to meet the high standards held by both institutions.

In addition to serving its school community, Reserve has opened its summer campus to the annual Ascent International Chamber Music Festival, a three-week residency that invites talented young musicians from around the globe to hone their chamber music skills with some of the world’s greatest professionals. The 2024 festival featured International Steinway Artist Vladimir Stoupel, who played a key role in advising Reserve with the process of selecting their new Steinway Model B.

“Western Reserve Academy has such a deep history and tradition of excellence. It is clear that they remain committed to providing their students with only the best experiences and training,” said Catherine Brulport, Vice President of Steinway Piano Gallery Cleveland. “Their new Bicentennial Steinway will allow them to attract top-tier artists to provide exceptional performance experiences for generations to come.”