Jason's Music Center (JMC), a family-owned business in Anne Arundel County, has provided 12 new pianos for the use of Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) as part of JMC's Public School Piano Loan Program. The value of the pianos is estimated at $150,000.

The pianos, offered by JMC owner Steve Cohen, will be used by the schools for one year, then sold at the end of the school year with assistance from the school system in distributing flyers to advertise the sale.

The school system also is scheduled to receive new pianos for use for one year in the next two years, according to the agreement between JMC and the school system.

Rick Penix, coordinator of instrumental music for MCPS, is thrilled with this unique arrangement. “The twelve schools receiving the pianos had the oldest, most poorly functioning pianos in the school system. Mr. Cohen's generosity will truly enhance music instruction in these schools.”

Mr. Cohen has offered instruments to other area school systems under similar agreements that provide an advantageous situation for all parties. School music departments are able to replace their old worn-out instruments with new Young Chang pianos with all costs of the program paid by JMC and Young Chang America, Inc., the piano manufacturer. In return, the companies receive greater visibility for their products and services, as well as the knowledge that they are doing a service to the community. And, they are generally able to recoup their costs through the annual sales of the pianos, which have received minimal wear and tear after only one year of use.

The area high schools receiving pianos this year are Albert Einstein and Col. Zadok Magruder high schools (grand pianos); Walter Johnson High School, Earl B. Wood and Rocky Hill middle schools; and Brooke Grove, Highland, Highland View, Galway, Beverly Farms, Greenwood, and Rosemont elementary schools (uprights).