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Steinway Case Study
Restoring a Feeling of Community in Pocatello
1939 Steinway and Sons Model D # 298091
For over 80 years, Pocatello High School’s Steinway & Sons Model D brought the community together through music. Worn by time, it was in desperate need of restoration. The community turned to Salt Lake Piano Service to revive it, ensuring its legacy of harmony and tradition lives on.
Background
- Pocatello High School, also known as “Poky”, was originally built in 1892. The High school has long served as a town square for concerts and athletic contests
- The original building caught fire in December of 1914
- In 1939, the building was redesigned in an art deco style by Frank Paradice as part of the W.P.A. programs
- A Steinway concert grand piano was purchased to commemorate the renovation of the building.
Restoration
85 years of wear-and-tear later, the piano arrived at our shop in Salt Lake City with a case in terrible shape, a worn-out action, and a worn out belly with a crack in the soundboard.
We restored the belly with new strings and hardware, a new bridge cap and soundboard repairs.
The action parts were replaced with genuine parts manufactured by Steinway and Sons
Then the keys were recovered and repaired, and the case was masterfully refinished in a harder mirror-finish of polyester, the best piano finish that money can buy.
The community raised money to restore the 85 year old piano and held a concert to commemorate the piano restoration featuring performers from the community.
Through expert restoration and community support, Pocatello High School’s beloved 1939 Steinway & Sons Model D has been revived to its former glory. With a refinished case, rebuilt action, and restored soundboard, the piano is once again ready to bring music and connection to future generations. Its restoration honors both its rich history and the enduring spirit of the community that made it possible.
See a video of the result featuring concert pianist Doctor Josh Wright, D.M.A.
