The Steck Piano

Oak Hills Presbyterian Church has been gifted a new piano for use in the chancel space of the church. For years, we were well-served by an upright spinet piano built by Charles R. Walter of Indiana. While this piano is of good quality, its vertical construction is limiting. Horizontal pianos – baby grands and full grand pianos – have superior sound boards and more precise actions. 

Our new piano is a “Petit Grand” instrument built in 1961 by George Steck in New York City. A petit grand is smaller than a baby grand and thus perfectly suited to our limited space. Steck first built pianos in New York in 1857, and Steck pianos became well regarded for their quality and vibrant tones. The firm used solid spruce for its sound boards and high-quality materials in the hammers and actions. Demand for Steck pianos was so great in the 19th Century that the firm added factories in Europe to serve those customers. 

The Steck firm was acquired by the Aeolian Piano Company in 1904 and continued manufacturing in New York into the 1980’s. Aeolian wisely kept the Steck name and designs without alteration, thus allowing the brand to prosper for more than seven decades. Today, Steck pianos are manufactured in South Korea by an Asian firm. 

The Session, in accepting the donation of this instrument, also approved naming it after our beloved and long-term member, Roberta Wool Betts. She joined our church two years after our Steck piano was built. Those who attended worship on October 19 enjoyed seeing the presentation and dedicatory prayer led by Lay Pastor Esther Russell-Hughes. 

To God Be the Glory! 

Gregory A. Nussel 
Music Director and Organist 
October 26, 2025