Butte College, nestled in a wildlife refuge in rural Oroville (“City of Gold”), California, serves approximately 15,000 students through a diverse range of programs. Founded in 1967 as a public community college, Butte focuses on providing high-quality, accessible education as well as career and transfer pathways that prepare students for the next steps in their professional lives. This spring, Butte College joined the ranks of an elite class of colleges, universities, and conservatories known as All-Steinway Institutions, meaning the school has equipped its music department exclusively with Steinway or Steinway-designed Boston pianos, ensuring students have access to the best possible instruments for their studies.

The All-Steinway Institution designation, one of only 18 in the entire state of California, goes beyond equipment; it symbolizes a commitment to excellence for students, faculty, visiting artists, and the broader community.

“Butte College has demonstrated a profound dedication to quality by investing in Steinway and Steinway-designed Boston pianos for its music department,” said Matthew Felver, Institutional Sales Manager for California with Steinway & Sons. “Seeing students’ excitement and engagement with the new pianos is exactly what we aim for. These instruments unlock limitless creative possibilities and form lifelong relationships with music,” he added.

Felver commended the efforts of Butte College Music Professor Ryan Heimlich, who played a crucial role in this achievement. “Ryan’s passion and dedication were evident from our initial conversation in December 2022,” Felver said. “His relentless advocacy and the support from Butte College’s leadership have forever transformed the look and feel of this music department.”

The new pianos include seven Steinway-designed Boston uprights, two Boston grands, and a venerable Model B Steinway grand.

“I am very grateful to our administration and board of trustees for making this purchase possible,” Heimlich said. “It makes such an impact on our community. The students feel like they are being invested in by the college, which builds their confidence and honestly makes them more inspired about practice and performance. Plus, people from outside the college know the Steinway name, and they want to come hear and play these instruments. Becoming an All-Steinway Institution has expanded our musical community. Outside groups want to use our facilities for recitals, and guest artists want to connect with us. It’s a very exciting addition.”  

Dean of Instruction Teresa Doyle agrees. “What our leadership and board has provided is an opportunity that is not afforded to students elsewhere,” she said.

 

“Butte is a community college in a rural area. Becoming an All-Steinway Institution is incredibly impactful because we can now be a magnet for ambitious students who are aspiring to the next level. Now that we have these amazing Steinway pianos, we are opening doors for students like never before. Our entire music program has been revitalized.”

 

Butte College’s All-Steinway Institution designation was celebrated in April with the Steinway Soirée: Celebrating Music at Butte College. Special guest Dr. Kirill Gliadkovsky was joined by Butte College faculty and students for performances on the new Steinway grand.

“I was lucky and received the honor of being the first Butte College student to play on the Steinway grand piano,” said Butte College music student Ellieana Gifford. “It was my first time playing that particular brand of piano, and I could instantly sense its ability to create a resonance that was beyond any of the pianos that I had played previously.”

Butte College President Virginia Guleff, a pianist herself, shares in the enthusiasm for the Steinway and Steinway-designed pianos. “We are a rural college in northern California, and this is a big deal for us,” she said. “So often, community colleges have pianos that were acquired through donations and are not always the highest quality, or they are electric keyboards. Students practice on these types of instruments, and then when they go to play a professional piano, the action is so different — more responsive and sensitive — that it affects their ability to play well. I am thrilled that our students will have a professional experience at the community college level by practicing and performing on our beautiful new pianos. It’s an amazing opportunity for them and for our community.”