TDmonthly Charitable Kid Keeps on Giving!

Children’s Hospitals in Greenville, S.C., Receive Schoenhut Pianos

By Alison Marek
December 2009

“[Altruism] helps build moral character [and] also enhances self-esteem.” — Dr. Michael Brody, Child Psychiatrist

TDmonthly’s Charitable Kid, Kimberly (14) of South Carolina, has continued a giving streak made possible by the generosity of the Schoenhut Piano Co. Inc.

October's recipients included two local children’s hospitals: the Children’s Hospital of Greenville, which received seven My First Piano IIs, and Shriner’s Hospital, which received two My First Piano IIs. Kimberly was able to officially deliver the pianos herself, and experience the gratitude of the recipients firsthand.

Kimberly was thrilled when she opened her own gift from this latest giveaway. Rather than tambourines, which she was expecting, she’d been awarded a Schoenhut 37-key Melodica. She was soon making music on this portable wind-powered keyboard with her little sisters, too.

“It is no surprise that she is sharing [the Melodica] with her sisters, based on the characteristics she has displayed in her thoughtful selection of recipients to receive 100 Schoenhut toy pianos in TDmonthly's Charitable Kid Contest,” commented Schoenhut President Renee Trinca. “We couldn't have wished for a better ‘ambassador.’”

Serving as a charitable ambassador will benefit Kimberly in more than one way, stated Dr. Michael Brody, a child psychiatrist who serves as chair of the Media Committee of the American Academy of Child Psychology and teaches a course on children and the media at the University of Maryland.

“One of the things teenagers don’t get credit for is that they begin to think philosophically, to think abstractly, and to wonder about their place in the world and their sense of morality,” Dr. Brody told TDmonthly. “It’s important to foster that. … It helps build moral character. Being altruistic also enhances self-esteem. If kids can help out during a horrible situation of trauma, like Katrina, they don’t feel so helpless.”

More pianos have already been sent out to local and out-of-town centers. Kimberly will officially present them this month as part of her holiday celebrations. She’ll be visiting the Children’s Hospital of Knoxville, Tenn., which received six pianos; the Meyer Center for Special Children in Greenville, which received ten pianos, and the Niswonger Children’s Hospital in Johnson City, Tenn., which received two pianos. A hometown paper has taken note of Kimberly's charity, too.

Altogether, Schoenhut is donating 100 25-key My First Piano IIs, worth $6,000, for Kimberly to give away.

Here are the musical toys that Kimberly and the children she helped are enjoying this holiday season, plus a few more Schoenhut offerings:

Schoenhut® 37-key Melodica by SCHOENHUT PIANO COMPANY

This 37-key wind piano produces a professional, rich tone with a full three-octave range (37 piano keys) and a tonal range from F through F. Includes a specially designed mouthpiece and deluxe carrying case.The sweet-sounding Melodica is so easy to play that many educators use it for teaching the rudiments of harmony, chord formation, theory, and for choral work. You can play chords and single notes, sharps and flats just like a piano, but within a smaller range. It's portable, inexpensive and fun — perfect for camping or travel. 11/10/2009 (MSRP: $49.95)

My First Piano II by SCHOENHUT PIANO COMPANY

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.
- This model was Schoenhut's best seller for 2010. It was also the model given away by TDmonthly's Charitable Kid, Kimberly (then 14) of South Carolina -- 100 times over! As a reward for her charity and careful selection of institutions to receive the toy pianos, Kimberly was given a number of other high-quality Schoenhut instruments, many of which she shared with her younger sisters. ( Watch Video) 6/29/2007 (MSRP: $59.95; Age: 3 and Up)

Schoenhut® 37-key Concert Grand by SCHOENHUT PIANO COMPANY

Inspired by the beauty of a full-size concert grand, Schoenhut® Piano Company offers this exquisite miniature 37-key replica. Complete with opening top to release the lovely chime-like tones, this smaller version is designed for a child with serious musical aspirations. Each piano in the series is custom built from solid maple and ½-inch multi-ply birch, stained in mahogany or painted in your choice of white or black, with the interior hand finished to match the selected exterior. The hinge is designed to raise and lower gradually, so as not to slam down on little fingers. Chromatically tuned, the sound is produced by little hammers striking precision-ground, German steel music rods.Schoenhut's patented Learning System, with its play-by-color teaching method, makes playing simple and fun. Available in Mahogany, Black or White. 7/6/2009 (MSRP: $255.97; Age: 3 and Up)

Schoenhut® 25-Key Piano Pals™ by SCHOENHUT PIANO COMPANY

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 (MSRP: $129.99; Age: 3 and Up)

Schoenhut® 15-String Harp by SCHOENHUT PIANO COMPANY

At 27 inches high, this wooden, lightweight instrument is designed with curved sides with a spacious box, along with a range of 15 notes (from C to C), permitting a wide variety of music in melodic tones. Fully tunable by using the wrench to adjust zither pins. 8/29/2007 (MSRP: $144.60; Age: 6 and Up)

5 PIECE DRUM SET by SCHOENHUT PIANO COMPANY

The perfect instrument for a JUNIOR ROCK STAR. Delivers great sound and incorporates many of the same features as a full-sized professional drum set. Built to last, constructed of high-quality hardwood shells and sturdy chrome-plated steel hardware. 8” Mounted Tom Drum & 10" Mounted Snare Drum, tunable w/ precision, adjustable, double-braced mounting arm 16” Bass Drum, tunable w/ two stabilizers for adjustable angle 10" Crash/Ride Cymbal, tunable, adjustable, Bass Drum Pedal, adjustable spring action Assembly required. Includes: Easy set-up instructions w/ illustrations, adjustable padded foam seat, tuning key, drum sticks. 8/28/2007 (Age: 6 to 12)