Strong relationships are at the root of success for Len and Renee Trinca, CEO and President of the 140-year-old Schoenhut Piano Company. From the day in 1996 when the couple fell in love ''at first sight'' with the company's products and took over as Schoenhut's owners, they have built friendships and support systems throughout manufacturing, retailing, consumer, and artistic circles. In addition, central to their business philosophy is a strong commitment to ''giving back'' by sharing musical instruments with children who would otherwise not be exposed to them.
Commitment to Mom-and-Pop Retailers
Specialty retailers are an integral component of Schoenhut's success. Perhaps because theirs is a family-owned business, the Trincas have a special place in their hearts for small mom-and-pop stores that give neighborhoods character and provide parents with a fun, safe place to take their kids shopping.
“Fortunately, the demand continues for stores where customers can get advice from shop owners about the merits of various products. Another advantage is being able to take a child along to provide ideas on favorite selections for a gift," pointed out Renee.
Continuing Innovation
The Trincas are intimately involved in every facet of their business. Of the new instruments offered each year to keep the product line fresh and exciting, most prototypes are designed and hand-built by Len. He then oversees manufacturing production to ensure the high standards and quality for which Schoenhut is known. (See videos from Toy Fair 2013 of their Upright Pianos, Tabletop and Grand Pianos, Ukuleles, and other instruments.)
''Len has a very creative mind,'' Renee proudly told TDmonthly. ''He became infatuated with building things in junior high woodshop. After completing a project, he would proceed to make something even more creative than what the teacher had originally assigned."
Generosity Pays
In addition to supporting local charitable activities, Schoenhut has partnered with TDmonthly for various giveaways across the nation. The first event in 2009 benefited ten charities, chosen by TDmonthly's Charitable Kid. The first of TDmonthly’s 2012: A Year of Charity promotions last spring provided donations to seven charities; the three specialty toy store owners who served as liaisons received valuable publicity during and after the event. Schoenhut also donated generously to the the final 2012 giveaway, which extended into 2013.
''Len and I both had very generous parents who never hesitated to assist the less fortunate," states Renee. "That characteristic of helping people was ingrained into both of us. Our contributions result in a huge benefit, that of enormous satisfaction."
The Future Is Expansive
Despite the recession, Schoenhut continued to flourish. They recently doubled the size of their headquarters. "Len is especially happy, since a good-sized area is designated for his woodshop," commented Renee.
And Len continues his ingenious designs. He is nearing completion of a toy piano prototype with a patent-pending soundboard. In addition to offering yet another innovative product to children, a marketing target will be the many professional musicians who use Schoenhut toy pianos for performing, teaching, conducting, and just plain fun. Schoenhut also helped expand the business of specialty toy store owners with their contribution of 100 pianos and other instruments to Figpickels Toy Emporium in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho (see article) and Children’s World in Sarasota, Florida for TDmonthly's 2012: A Year of Charity holiday giveaway. That giveaway resulted in so much local publicity for the stores and the charities they donated to that Figpickels had between 8000 and 10,000 people walk through their store during the holidays, and kept them busy from opening to closing, 7 days a week, for six weeks, and Children's World was covered by TV news twice.
“We’re still recovering!” said Figpickels owner Brett Sommers gratefully, back in February.
Those two winning stores were able to whip up so much enthusiasm for their charities and the donating manufacturers, which included Schoenhut, Safari Ltd., Douglas Cuddle Company and Moonjar, that they were chosen as winners for the 2013 charity giveaway going on now.
ASTRA 2013
ASTRA Marketplace visitors are invited to stop by Schoenhut booth #2233. It is a great opportunity to view the wide array of traditional and new instruments, including toy pianos, acoustic and electric guitars, ukuleles, harps, drum sets, and more.
"We promise it be will fun!" said Renee in closing.
Schoenhut's beautiful Pineapple Ukulele with four nylon strings provides clear, authentic Hawaiian tones. The innovative design incorporating a molded composite body with dual curves greatly enhances sound and durability. A birch soundboard which offers excellent tone and resonance, hardwood neck (for rigidity), and molded composite fretboard ensure proper height and spacing of the frets. Available in several vibrant designs. Includes: Pick & Extra String.
Schoenhut's miniature version of a baby grand piano is designed to encourage a child to play and develop a love of music. Elegant in appearance with graceful spindle legs, yet extremely durable and sturdy, it makes a beautiful addition to any home. Lovely chime-like tones are produced by small hammers striking metal rods, the sound that makes Schoenhut toy pianos unique. The two-and one-half-octave span of full-width keys provides a good foundation for the transition to a larger model. Includes: Schoenhut's Learning System and bench. Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval
Twinkle Tunes features a 1-octave (8-note) keyboard that electronically produces lovely piano sounds, enhanced with a beautifully illustrated interchangeable songbook containing a collection of 12 familiar tunes. This instrument, designed for the child who has no previous piano study, is paired with Schoenhut’s patented Tri-Play Learning System. Easily portable for young children, this unique toy provides hours of musical fun. Battery included. Additional books sold separately.
Twinkle Tunes features a 1-octave (8-note) keyboard that electronically produces lovely piano sounds, enhanced with a beautifully illustrated interchangeable songbook containing a collection of 12 familiar tunes. This instrument, designed for the child who has no previous piano study, is paired with Schoenhut’s patented Tri-Play Learning System. Easily portable for young children, this unique toy provides hours of musical fun. Battery included. Additional books sold separately.
STRIKE UP THE BAND! This assortment of musical instruments is a great way of introducing children to music. Includes castanets, a triangle, and more. Encourages rhythm and social interaction. Provides lively entertainment for all ages. Fun for jam sessions and group play. Makes a creative, reasonably-priced gift.
This versatile new little piano grows with your 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 upright height for an older child seated at the bench. Schoenhut toy pianos are noted for their excellent quality and unique chime-like tones. The width of the keys promotes proper finger placement, enabling an easy transition to a larger piano. Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010
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.
Little rock stars will take center stage playing Schoenhut's “next generation” guitar. Schoenhut's innovative design incorporating a molded composite body with dual curves greatly enhances sound and durability. The birch soundboard which offers excellent tone and resonance, hardwood neck (for rigidity), and molded composite fretboard ensure proper height and spacing of the frets. Six steel strings permit a wide range of rich sounds. Available in several vibrant designs. Includes: Pick and Extra String. Launch date: January 2012. Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval
Schoenhut's Thumb Pianos are sure to be a hit with the young set. These percussion instruments, also known as Marimbas, emit warm, resonant tones by striking the ends of the tines with your thumbs. Simple tunes are easily tapped out, with unlimited possibilities for creating complex melodies. The new design incorporates a durable molded composite back, resulting in enhanced sound and durability. Easily portable and fun to play, a Schoenhut Thumb Piano is the perfect choice for encouraging children to enjoy music. Available in several vibrant designs.
These 49-key stringed pianos feature perfect pitch with true piano sound (without the use of electronics). The keys are the same dimensions as those on a full-sized piano, the keyboard half the width. Baby Grands are available in White, Black, Red; Upright in Black, White. Includes cushioned bench.
Writer's Bio: ALISON MAREK is an award-winning writer, director and cartoonist whose work has been published by Fairchild Publications and DC Comics (Piranha Press), broadcast on Showtime and other cable networks, and viewed worldwide in film festivals. See her short films and print work on www.alisonmarek.com. Watch her nefarious villains in the web series www.MuggsMovers.com. Get inspired by her cartoons "Daily ARFFirmations to Unleash Your Inner Fido" at www.ARFFirmations.com. Phew! And then ... Read more articles by this author
Schoenhut also helped expand the business of specialty toy store owners with their contribution of 100 pianos and other instruments to 
Writer's Bio: ALISON MAREK is an award-winning writer, director and cartoonist whose work has been published by Fairchild Publications and DC Comics (Piranha Press), broadcast on Showtime and other cable networks, and viewed worldwide in film festivals. See her short films and print work on www.alisonmarek.com. Watch her nefarious villains in the web series www.MuggsMovers.com. Get inspired by her cartoons "Daily ARFFirmations to Unleash Your Inner Fido" at www.ARFFirmations.com. Phew! And then ... 
