Pearl River delivers for hurricane victim

Music teacher, Sylvia Palmer of New Orleans, Louisiana, finally has a Pearl River grand piano back in her home. Thanks to Cynthia Chen of the New Orleans Musician’s Relief Effort, Pearl River was contacted concerning the story of Ms. Palmer who had lost her Pearl River grand piano during Hurricane Katrina. Pearl River was happy to provide Ms. Palmer with a 5’3” GP159 ebony polish replacement of her piano, but the delivery didn’t go as smoothly as all had hoped. On the very day the new piano was scheduled to be delivered…New Orleans was being evacuated with Gustav looming on the horizon and Ike not far behind. Fortunately, all’s well that ends well. Ms. Palmer is now happily at home with her Pearl River grand piano. Pearl River would like to thank Karen and Jeff Beninato of the New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund and PDQ Moving and Delivery, Inc. for helping make Sylvia Palmer’s Pearl River grand piano possible.

A Piano That Celebrates The Legend Of The Butterflies.

Wherever in the world Pearl River’s GP 198 grand piano has been displayed, it has always been a center of fascination. Known as the “Butterfly” grand, this unique instrument is now on display at The Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad, California. The piano was a gift to the NAMM Foundation from the Pearl River Piano Group, Ltd.
An exclusive design from Pearl River, the “Butterfly” gets its name from the whimsical design which features a transparent, wing-like top. Available in gold/silver, copper/silver or solid light blue, the sleek satin finish gives these beautiful pianos a fairy-tale quality as intriguing to the audience as to the musician who plays one.
The inspiration for the design is said to have originated from an ancient Chinese legend entitled the “Butterfly Lovers.” It is based on a Romeo and Juliet like tale of two young sweethearts who were not allowed to marry. When the boy, Liang Shanbo, discovers that his love, Zhu Yingtai, has been promised to another, he dies of a broken heart. On the way to her wedding Zhu stops at the grave of her beloved and is struck by a bolt of lightning. The relatives open the tomb to find it empty except for two butterflies which flutter out and fly off together.

MTNA Conference A Winner

The 2008 Music Teachers National Association Conference held March 29 – April 2 in Denver, Colorado was a great success for Pearl River. Jean Hollenbeck, Assistant Manager, stressed that, “It was an ideal setting for educational activities, music appreciation and networking with music teachers from across the country.”

Among the more than 2000 music teachers, industry representatives, technicians and students attending were Pearl River’s President and CEO, Jennette Xu, Phil Kennedy, National Sales Director, David Rooksby, District Sales Manager and Jean Hollenbeck, Assistant Manager. The Pearl River booths #425 and #427 drew a constant, enthusiastic crowd who registered to win prizes and enjoyed the opportunity to play the Pearl River Grand GP188 and Vertical UP115E pianos on display. Both pianos, as well as a Pearl River Vertical UP115E for the RMM and Group Piano Sessions, were on loan from the Onofrio Piano Company. We want to give a special thanks to Joe Onofrio.

The two grand prizes were sheet music cabinets one of which was awarded to Ms. Lori Rhoden on Monday, March 31 and another to Mr. Kirk Woodyard on Tuesday, April 1. Various other prizes including miniature crystal pianos were awarded throughout the conference. Winners were Malinda Lyons, Sandra Peterson, Marie D’Andrea, Lucinda Lear, Terry Tennes, Sherry Frush and Meggan DeJong. Mr. Joe Onofrio and Ms. Nancy Docksey from Onofrio Piano graciously remained on hand to conduct the prize drawings.

The MTNA is a nonprofit organization of independent and collegiate music teachers committed to furthering the art of music through teaching, performance, composition and scholarly research. Founded in 1876, MTNA is the oldest professional music teachers association in the United States.

We enjoyed our time in Denver and we look forward to the 2009 MTNA Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.

Tuners & Technicians Hosted In Charlotte.

The Miller Piano Company, Charlotte’s authorized Pearl River dealer, recently hosted a full house event for the area’s piano tuners and technicians. Led by Pearl River’s Factory Consultant and acting Service Manager, Dave Campbell, the technical presentation focused on a Pearl River grand and upright with a program entitled, “Express Prep.”

The Miller brothers and son were gracious hosts providing refreshments. The store has one of the most complete displays of Pearl River pianos in the country including the 50th Anniversary 9’ Concert Grand, the only one in the country.

Pearl River is a major supporter of the Piano Technicians Guild (PTG) and participates in a number of PTG sponsored events in the U.S. and Canada. According to Dave Campbell, “Pearl River emphasizes the importance of a close relationship among all elements of the piano industry; the manufacturer, the dealer, the technician and the teacher. We stand ready to serve our dealers in any way we can. We work in partnership with all members of the industry toward delivering complete satisfaction to the end customer.”

Pearl River Recognized For Quality And Environmental Standards.

The Pearl River Piano Group was awarded ISO 14001 in July 2007 and continues ISO 9001 which was originally certified in February 1998. These certifications, awarded by Det Norske Veritas, an independent review organization in the Netherlands, address both the quality and efficiency of Pearl River factories and the environmental impact of the Pearl River manufacturing processes and the materials used in manufacture.

The ISO series was created by the International Organization for Standardization to set international requirements for quality management systems. Now adopted by over 80 countries, use of the series has become accepted as the standard of the business world.

As a leading world brand, Pearl River realizes its responsibilities both as a manufacturer and a world citizen. Our good name is vital to our success and we have taken every possible step to ensure that our pianos are made with safe, high-quality materials and our factories meet the highest standards.

Lothar Thomma Introduces New Ritmüller Models At NAMM. 

(Ontario, CA, Jan. 24) Visitors to the Pearl River/Ritmüller display room at the recent 2008 NAMM Show had the opportunity to meet Lothar Thomma, renowned European piano design consultant. Mr. Thomma was in attendance to meet and greet customers and personally demonstrate the design nuances that distinguish a new collection of Ritmüller piano models being considered as additions to the company’s North American line.

Mr. Thomma has an illustrious career in the piano industry as a designer and teacher and is credited with being one of the main inventors of the “TF-65” calculator for piano scale design. He has worked or consulted for 20 different piano manufacturers worldwide and has more than 30 years experience as a member and director of both the German Piano Manufacturers’ Association and the European Piano Manufacturers’ Association. He taught the master course at the German Music Instrument Technical School in Ludwigsburg, Germany and has been a member of the German Piano Industry Research Project in Ludwigsburg since 1968.

Mr. Thomma is an enthusiastic spokesperson for the new Ritmüller models. His participation in the creation of these extraordinary new pianos speaks to the Pearl River commitment to honor European tradition in the design and construction of the Ritmüller brand.