A Sound Worth Saving
Our Steinway Model B Grand Piano, a cherished part of worship at Bay Pres for over 40 years, is beginning a new chapter.
After decades of faithful service and thousands of sacred moments, the piano is headed to Lindeblad Piano Restoration in New Jersey for a complete renewal by one of the nation's leading restoration firms.
We thought we’d take a few minutes to share some of the history of our piano, and explain why it makes more sense to restore rather than replace this remarkable instrument.
What we have is irreplaceable.
Originally housed in Severance Hall as part of the Cleveland Orchestra’s collection, our Steinway carries a rich musical legacy of distinction.
In more than four decades at Bay Pres, our piano has carried the weight of thousands of hymns and anthems. It has echoed in moments of quiet prayer and joyful praise. Its sound has accompanied baptisms, weddings, memorials, and Sunday after Sunday of worship where hearts have turned toward God. For many of us, the voice of this piano is part of the very memory of our Sanctuary.
Its value goes far beyond its monetary worth, and by renewing this instrument, we’re preserving a legacy of excellence, not just in music, but in how we worship, and in how we steward our gifts, down to the last note we play.
Restoration is the practical option.
Restoring our Steinway is not just more affordable; it preserves a level of quality money can’t replace.
Our 1978 Steinway is now experiencing wear in key areas: mechanical components are breaking down, tonal consistency has diminished as the hammers that strike the strings have hardened due to wear, uneven response and double-striking of frequently played notes, and an increasingly frequent need for tuning in order to stay serviceable.
Rather than replace it with a new instrument of lower quality, we’re choosing to restore what we have, to return it to its original brilliance for a fraction of the cost of a comparable new Steinway.
Restoring what we already own is cost-effective, and it preserves a level of quality that we could not otherwise find in a contemporary instrument, it’s both a practical decision and a meaningful act of stewardship.
Our piano is in good hands.
When looking at the options, it was clear that Lindeblad Piano Restoration was the right partner for this important restoration.
Lindeblad comes highly recommended, including by the Cleveland Institute of Music, and is known for exceptional craftsmanship and attentive customer care. They will manage the full project, provide video progress updates throughout, and coordinate any necessary follow-up locally. Though not based in Ohio, their national reputation, comprehensive service, and long-term warranty make them a trusted and experienced choice for restoring an instrument of this caliber.
Looking ahead
Watch for updates in our weekly email & social media. Lindeblad anticipates this renewal process to take 4 to 6 months, and we’ll be excited to welcome back the piano later this fall.
During the interim
Until our Steinway returns later this year, we’ve moved the smaller Yamaha baby grand from Auburn Hall into the Sanctuary.
Have a memory of our piano?
If you’ve played this piano in the last 40 years, or have a special memory about the piano, we’d love to hear from you. Drop us a note with your story (and let us know if you have photos).