With continued assistance from Catawba’s Office of Development and the generous support of numerous donors, the Department of Music has added the second Spirio to its growing collection of world-class instruments. Installed in the recording studio in Hoke Hall, the new Spirio strengthens opportunities for studio recording, composition, songwriting, rehearsal, performance preparation, and collaborative work across the curriculum. Support for the second Spirio reflects the priorities of Catawba’s comprehensive fundraising campaign, Where Our Good Goes, which advances student opportunity and academic distinction through philanthropic investment.
“Catawba College’s commitment to providing students with the best opportunities for creating, rehearsing, and performing music has just expanded again,” said Dr. Phillip Burgess, Dean of Catawba’s Shuford School of Performing Arts. “We are grateful to the donors and partners who continue to invest in our students. The addition of a second Spirio broadens access to meaningful, high-impact learning tools that support creativity, excellence, and professional preparation.”
Catawba is also building momentum toward its All-Steinway School goal, an initiative to join a select group of institutions recognized by Steinway & Sons for meeting rigorous standards in the quality and breadth of Steinway-designed instruments available to students.
“With the delivery of a second Spirio | r to campus, placed in the recording studio in Hoke Hall, Catawba College continues to demonstrate a forward-thinking commitment to music education,” said Randy Kern, Institutional Sales Manager for the Steinway Piano Gallery. “This state-of-the-art recording and playback technology elevates performance, composition, collaboration, and teaching—giving the Catawba community a meaningful artistic and educational edge.”
Introduced by Steinway & Sons as part of its high-resolution player piano platform, the Spirio combines the performance experience of a concert grand with advanced capture and playback capabilities. Through an iPad-based system, musicians can record nuanced performances, refine technique through playback, and produce shareable recordings for auditions, competitions, and portfolios. The instrument also provides access to an extensive library of performances from renowned pianists across genres.
“Our students and faculty are very excited about the learning opportunities and advanced technology the Steinway Spirio provides, added Jeff Little, Chair of Catawba’s Department of Music. “The Spirio will be a wonderful asset for our students and a great teaching tool for our faculty in studio recording, songwriting, performances, and all our creative curriculum.”
For students, the impact is both immediate and long-term — supporting the day-to-day work of growth and artistry while building confidence and readiness for careers in music and related industries.
“At a time in your life where the goal is constant improvement in preparation for a career in the industry, having your institution grow alongside you with resources such as this really makes a difference,” said Gyan McLaurin, a Catawba sophomore musician. “I can trust that the evolution of my education [is] a priority, which gives me the freedom [to] learn and create in ways I hadn’t even thought possible.”
The Shuford School of Performing Arts continues to invest in tools and experiences that blend tradition and innovation, ensuring students have access to resources that elevate artistry, strengthen technical skill, and open new creative pathways. Gifts made through Where Our Good Goes help ensure Catawba students can learn, create, and perform with the resources they need to thrive on campus and beyond.
For more information about Catawba’s Shuford School of Performing Arts, visit catawba.edu/performingarts.
About Where Our Good Goes
Where Our Good Goes is Catawba College’s comprehensive fundraising campaign, designed to expand opportunities for students, enhance academic and campus life, and strengthen the College’s impact on communities near and far. Grounded in Catawba’s mission of scholarship with character and culture for service, the campaign reflects the College’s enduring belief that when we invest in students today, their good will go far tomorrow. For more information about the Where Our Good Goes campaign, visit catawba.edu/whereourgoodgoes.
