EAC's Steinway Grand Piano Under Refurbishment

Robert Cloutier (left), an experienced piano technician, is lending his expertise to refurbish the Steinway grand piano at EAC during the month of January. Greg Biss, head of the Concert Series, looks on.

EAC's Steinway grand piano is receiving some much-needed care thanks to the efforts of Robert Cloutier of Calais. Cloutier, a piano technician who has been servicing concert-level instruments around the world for four decades, is donating his expertise to refurbish the piano to fully working condition.

This particular piano is a "rather rare Model C, built in 1888," explains Greg Biss, head of EAC's Concert Series. "This model, which is nearly 8’ long, and was termed a 'Parlor Grand' by Steinway, has not been built in the US since 1925."

The piano's 88 hammers have not been replaced in 75 years, explains Biss. Finding someone able to work on it is a difficult task, let alone someone able to replace the entire hammer set. Cloutier offered to do so provided the center could acquire the new set of hammers, which it was summarily able to do.

"For EAC, this work will transform our piano from potentially being one of the finest pianos in the State to actually being so," says Biss.

EAC is extremely grateful to Robert for the donation of his expertise in the effort to bring the Steinway back to concert condition for the greater community!