Music program to receive state-of-the-art Steinway concert piano Joyce Ma and Oscar Varodayan March 16, 2026
![Palo Alto High School Choir Director Michael Najar shows The Voice the 1911 Steinway grand piano in the Haymarket. After a nine-year effort, the Performing Arts Center will be home to a state-of-the-art Steinway 9-foot Model D concert grand piano. According to Najar, many are shocked by the $239,000 price tag. “If you don't know what it [a good piano] sounds like, then I can just play on anything, but if you know, there's only going to be one, and we're going to use it too,” Najar said. “We're [the Paly Instrumental Music Program] not hiding this thing [the new piano], and it's not just going to be for special performances. Middle school bands, if they have a competent pianist, will use it.”](https://palyvoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_4623-1200x800.jpg)