News

The South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities (SCGSAH), a residential public arts high school in the heart of downtown Greenville, is proud to announce a new partnership with Steinway and Sons to replace the school’s pianos with world-class Steinway and Steinway-designed instruments, providing students and faculty with the best possible resources for music education. Steinway pianos, built by hand using time-honored practices in the company’s historic New York factory, are the gold standard of musical instruments, representing more than 171 years of craftsmanship and experience. SCGSAH’s initial fundraising goal is $500,000, which will be used to purchase six Steinway-designed Boston baby grands for practice rooms and a new Steinway Model D for the school’s recital hall. The ultimate objective is to replace all of SCGSAH’s more than 20 pianos with Steinway and Steinway-designed instruments.

Dr. Amanda Montgomery, Head of the Piano Department, has been working with Kristina Sanders, Educator Liaison for Steinway Piano Gallery – Greenville, to spearhead the initiative. “Our pianos are in dire need of an upgrade,” Dr. Montgomery said. “This initiative is not only exciting for me but also for my students, who desperately need and deserve better instruments.”

Since its inception in 1999, SCGSAH has nurtured artistically talented students who have gained national recognition from organizations such as YoungArts, the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, Youth America Grand Prix, Music Teachers National Association, and the U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts. Graduates have received millions of dollars in scholarship offers to attend the nation’s top colleges, universities, and conservatories, and have become innovators and leaders in various fields. Esteemed alumni have been named South Carolina Teachers of the Year; Emmy, Tony, Grammy and Webby award winners; and Golden Globe and Oscar nominees.

One of Dr. Montgomery’s exceptional students, Xavier Galloway, recently won a sponsored scholarship with the Greenville Music Teachers Association (GMTA). “Xavier Galloway came to our school last year as a junior with very little formal training. His natural talent flourished in an environment where he could practice daily and have access to quality instruments. The transformation in his musical abilities over the past two years has been phenomenal,” said Dr. Montgomery.

Dr. Cedric Adderley, President of SCGSAH, emphasized the broader impact of the Steinway initiative. “The Steinway project will be a significant enhancement for our music department,” he said. “As a model for public education in South Carolina, we strive to provide the best possible resources for our students. Connecting them with Steinway, one of the most prestigious names in music, will greatly benefit their learning and performance capabilities.”

For more information about the SCGSAH Steinway Initiative or to contribute to the fundraising efforts, please visit scgsah.org/steinways-students.