Steinway Society the Bay Area

The Steinway Society presents classical piano recitals by nationally and internationally acclaimed artists to enrich the cultural life of San Jose and the South Bay, and advance public appreciation of classical music. In FY 2013-14, we presented recitals attended by 3,576 audience members.

Recognizing the importance of a quality arts education, the Steinway Society also works closely with schools to help bridge the gap that was created when comprehensive arts programming was eliminated due to budget cuts. In FY 2013-14, we:

 

• Partnered with school administrators to set up free recitals in schools, and served 1,055 students, with performances by talented music students from San Jose State University.  
• Provided 600 free tickets and transportation to students, teachers and family members to attend recitals.
• Engaged young, local, aspiring artists in master classes, where internationally recognized educators mentored local music teachers and students.

 

Steinway Society’s core program, with a stellar lineup of international piano artists, reaches across a diverse audience throughout San Jose, the Silicon Valley and beyond. From students to seniors, the underserved to the comfortable, from cultural populations that include the Bay Area’s Asian and Russian communities, the only common demographic among our audience members is their appreciation for classical music.

Our recitals bring the works of celebrated composers to our community, recreating in live performance the rich history of classical piano music. Composers represented in artists’ concerts in FY 2014-15 include: Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Chopin, Glinka, Liszt, Mussorgsky, Rachmaninoff, Rimsky Korsakov, Saint-Saëns, Schubert, Tchaikovsky, and from the 20th century, Debussy, Scriabin, Ravel, Stravinsky.

Local artists also benefit from our programs. Jon Nakamatsu, a local, but internationally renowned pianist, performed before his hometown audience in October, 2013. And in the 2015-2016 Season, Palo Alto’s Sandra Wright Shen will be performing, as will the local, Grammy-nominated Duet, ZOFO, along with acclaimed, notable prize-winning pianists from Russia, Greece, Iran, and Korea, all of whom are highly sought-after in Europe but with little exposure to U.S., and especially to Bay Area, audiences.

Young, local, aspiring artists benefit from the Society’s master classes, where internationally recognized educators mentor local music teachers and students. And, our school recitals often feature rising stars from San Jose State University.

The Society actively contributes to Slicon Valley's cultural vibrancy through thoughtful collaborations with many of San Jose’s small non-profit arts organization, e.g., Lunchtime at Trianon - a series of Friday afternoon concerts held at various locations in downtown San Jose.  In July, 2014, the Society presented a noon recital at La Petit Trianon by Dr. Natalya Luntvedt for an audience with 200 members.

In addition to public recitals, the Society also engages the community through newspaper and web-based reviews, website materials, and educational recitals in San Jose elementary schools. We offer in-home private concerts and public master classes. Through our partnership with KDFC radio, portions of our recitals are broadcast to the public at large, reaching countless music enthusiasts who don’t attend our concerts.

To ensure access to young people, especially disadvantaged youth, we reach out to artistically underserved communities by scheduling free recitals in San Jose elementary schools. In December, 2014, the Society arranged a recital by San Jose State music students at Silver Creek High School. A quartet and a trio performed and engaged the high school students on many levels, creating an enjoyable and educational experience.

In the 2015-16 Season, Steinway Society will be collaborating with local schools and programs to enrich the lives of the region’s low-income and at-risk students. Our current partners are: San Jose’s Title 1 schools, including Horace Mann Elementary School; Music in the Schools; the College Connections Academy; and Progressions, a K-12, youth development program that uses music to connect with low-income, at-risk students.