📷 Onilne Piano Magazine

In a historic move that marks the largest institutional acquisition in Yamaha’s history, the company has partnered with the prestigious Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. The Peabody Institute, founded in 1857 through a $1.4 million philanthropic gift from merchant and financier George Peabody, stands as the oldest conservatory in the United States. Today, it is one of ten degree-granting schools within Johns Hopkins and counts among its alumni Grammy and Emmy winners, world-class performers and composers, innovative entrepreneurs, and leaders in the arts.
 

This partnership involves the record-breaking institutional purchase of more than 16 Yamaha SX Series grand pianos, a premium line celebrated for its refined craftsmanship and tonal sophistication. 

Andrew Kipe, Assistant Dean of Performance Activities at the Peabody Institute, expressed his enthusiasm: “We’re proud to upgrade our inventory with these new pianos. In practice rooms and studios across campus, we must provide our student-artists with instruments of the same quality they’ll encounter in performances around the world. This donor-supported investment helps us achieve that goal and elevate the student experience.” The first shipment of Yamaha pianos arrived at Peabody in April, with full delivery expected by early fall.
 

Yamaha's success at Peabody is not an isolated case. The company has also recently made significant sales to other elite institutions, including UCLA, The Juilliard School, and Berklee College of Music. These achievements reflect a growing trend: Yamaha is increasingly the preferred choice in the competitive world of academic music institutions.
 

While the piano market is fiercely competitive, Yamaha continues to dominate a substantial share of institutional acquisitions. Why is this the case? There are many possible answers. Though the Yamaha SX Series is undeniably a high-quality instrument, it's important to recognize that several other manufacturers also offer pianos of exceptional quality and craftsmanship. The question remains open... 

At times like this, I always think of my uncle, who used to say: Look, son, I've heard many explanations for why some people just can’t wake up early. But none of that changes the fact that by the time they get out of bed, I’ve already mowed the grass.

📷 Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins