New Piano for the Rex Knowles Room

by Rick Lancaster and Kim Craig

In late July, MPUC purchased a new Kawai piano to be the rehearsal piano in the Rex Knowles room. The piano is on a dolly so it can be moved to other rooms. The previous piano was so dysfunctional that it could no longer be tuned. There was at least one key that would not play at all.

Kim’s contact at Schmitt Music had it shipped from Duluth where it was on sale for $4099. She was keeping an eye on Schmitt’s Duluth pianos because they do not sell as well and will go on sale earlier than here. This is a discount of $667, or 14%, from the normal institutional price of $4766. The full retail price for a non-institutional customer would be $5290 for a total discount of 22.5%.

With a $310 delivery charge and a $636 Dampp-Chaser, the total cost was $5045. (A Dampp-Chaser regulates the humidity inside the piano, which greatly extends its life.) Kim’s friend at Schmitt was very generous to have the Dampp-Chaser and dolly installed without a fee. The $5045 was raised from Chancel Choir members and the parents of Chapel Choir members; a total of 16 donors donated an average of $315 each.

At 44.5 inches above the floor, its top is the perfect height for an accompanist to look over and see the director. It has a black lacquer finish and is a very handsome piano.

For an upright piano, the piano produces a bright and rounded sound. The tone carries without being too harsh. It has a clarity that will help the choir in their rehearsals. Being made by Kawaii, an excellent make, it will hold its tune well.