TDmonthly Magazine’s Charitable Kid Contest winner, 13-year-old Kimberly of South Carolina, has consulted with her mother and pastor to come up with the first few charities that will accept the prize of Schoenhut My First Piano IIs:
Both charitable giving and Schoenhut pianos have precedents in Kimberly’s family. She’s been involved in charitable works through her church and has always had a generous heart, her mother Michelle told TDmonthly. Though Kimberly just started piano lessons in the last year, she first practiced her chops on a Schoenhut piano that her paternal grandmother had found at a yard sale years ago.
Kimberly is excited about the first giveaways, which are scheduled to take place in the middle of September. She will continue scheduling giveaways until all 100 pianos have found homes with needy children and deserving programs. Check back in the October issue for another update!
Here are some of the Schoenhut toys Kimberly will give away, plus other Schoenhut music toys that can help nurture musicianship at a young age:
Schoenhut's bright red, wooden, 25-key tabletop is the perfect choice for a toddler's first piano. Both fun and educational, it is an ideal instrument for developing eye-hand coordination and encouraging musical creativity. Chromatically tuned, the lovely chimelike notes are produced by little hammers striking precision-ground, German steel music rods. The tone never changes nor will the piano ever need tuning. Schoenhut's patented Learning System, with its play-by-color teaching method, makes playing simple and fun. A removable color strip fits behind the keys to guide small fingers from chord to chord. The chart also works on adult keyboards, since keys on Schoenhut toy pianos are of corresponding width. This teaches children proper finger placement from the very beginning. The accompanying Songbook contains a collection of familiar tunes. This Learning System has been specially designed to build a child's confidence and develop basic playing skills. It comes in red and white. Launch date: 2005. 6/29/2007 (Price: $59.95; Age: 3 and Up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
This versatile little piano grows with the child. The main unit, decorated with a whimsical animal's head, is perfect for toddlers because it sits safely and squarely on the floor within easy reach of little hands. Later on, the sides with the animal's body can be attached, conveniently raising the piano to a comfortable height for an older child seated at the bench. Included is Schoenhut's® Learning System, with a removable color-coordinated strip that fits behind the keys to guide small fingers from chord to chord. The accompanying songbook contains a collection of familiar tunes. Schoenhut toy pianos are famous for their lovely chime-like tones. The keys are spaced correctly for a full-sized piano, which teaches proper finger placement and affords an easy transition to a large piano.The piano is 19-3/4" H x 16" W x 10-3/4" D and the bench measures 8" H x 8" D x 11" W. This product weighs 17 lbs. Launch date: February 2008. 2/25/2008 (Price: $129.99; Age: 3 and Up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
This dynamic, new line of 44-key baby grand and upright pianos, launched to coincide with Schoenhut’s 135th anniversary, features true piano sound … without the use of electronics. The mid-sized piano is less intimidating for small children who want to learn to play the piano. This line is not intended to replace Schoenhut’s vintage models that feature chime-like tones, such as those originally developed by Albert Schoenhut in 1872. Rather, the introduction is in response to requests from customers for a “new” sound. It’s available in black, white or red. Launch date: January 2007. — If parents wish to start their kids on the piano before they’re ready for the real baby grand, this stunningly beautiful instrument with authentic piano sound is the way to go. It received a TDmonthly Top Toy 2007 award for innovation in mechanics and design within the category of musical instruments for children, as well as its ability to grace any space while furthering a young child’s music education.
At 25 inches high, this beautifully constructed, lightweight instrument is an excellent choice for a child's first harp. The design of its curved sides and spacious box, along with a range of 15 notes (from C to C), permits playing a wide variety of music in haunting, melodic tones. Fully tunable by way of zither pins and a zither pin wrench (included). 8/29/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
The perfect instrument for a Junior Rock Star who is not quite ready for a full-sized drum set. It delivers great sound and incorporates the same features as a professional drum set. The Tom, Snare, and Bass Drums have adjustable height, angle, and tilt, allowing the set to "grow" with your child. Made of rugged hardwood shells and sturdy chrome-plated steel hardware, this exceptional product is from Schoenhut, celebrating over 135 years of producing high quality musical instruments. 8/28/2007 (Price: $149.00; Age: 6 to 12) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Its compact size makes this drum just right for little drummers. Discover just how rewarding and exciting making music with your own instrument can be. The drum is tunable for more versatility. It helps develop listening skills. 9/19/2006 (Age: 3 and Up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
This sturdy, custom-made 12-key pipe xylophone is ideal for your child's first introduction into the world of music. Schoenhut Piano Company has been a leader in the toy musical instrument world since 1872. This xylophone — or glockenspiel — is one of five classic learning instruments re-introduced from Schoenhut's archive collection of original designs. It is intended for the enjoyment of adults as well as children. Magical-sounding tones of perfect pitch are produced through twelve 5/8"-diameter aluminum pipes. Built of solid black walnut and pure maple hardwood (with an oil finish to reveal the fine wood grains), it can withstand active play. Included are two large mallets, the renowned Schoenhut tri-color learning system, and a music book with a collection of familiar tunes guaranteed to make playing simple and fun. The accompanying Songbook contains a collection of familiar tunes. This product received a Best Vacation Children's Products award from Dr. Toy in 2004. Dimensions: 12.5 in. x 21 in. x 16.5 in. Launch date: 2004. THIS PRODUCT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. 9/19/2006 (Price: $59.95; Age: 3 and Up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
This Schoenhut 30-inch Acoustic Guitar is a unique introduction to playing for the aspiring young musician. It offers not only great sound and playability, but an affordable price which is attractive to many first-time players seeking a "better-than-average" beginner guitar. 9/19/2006 (Price: $28.95; Age: 4 and Up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Writer's Bio: ALISON MAREK is a writer/artist/filmmaker whose work has been published by Fairchild Publications and DC Comics (Piranha Press), among others. Her short films have played in festivals around the world and have been broadcast on Showtime and other cable networks. She recently completed a short comedy sponsored by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, titled "The Three-Body Solution." For the past four years, Alison has been documenting the specialty toy industry with a series of articles and videos for TDmonthly Magazine. Read more articles by this author
TDmonthly Magazine’s Charitable Kid Contest winner, 13-year-old Kimberly of South Carolina, has consulted with her mother and pastor to come up with the first few charities that will accept the prize of Schoenhut My First Piano IIs:
Both charitable giving and Schoenhut pianos have precedents in Kimberly’s family. She’s been involved in charitable works through her church and has always had a generous heart, her mother Michelle told TDmonthly. Though Kimberly just started piano lessons in the last year, she first practiced her chops on a Schoenhut piano that her paternal grandmother had found at a yard sale years ago.
Writer's Bio: ALISON MAREK is a writer/artist/filmmaker whose work has been published by Fairchild Publications and DC Comics (Piranha Press), among others. Her short films have played in festivals around the world and have been broadcast on Showtime and other cable networks. She recently completed a short comedy sponsored by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, titled "The Three-Body Solution." For the past four years, Alison has been documenting the specialty toy industry with a series of articles and videos for TDmonthly Magazine. Read more articles by this author
