This month, we spotlight our MusicLink Business Partner, Schmitt Music Co., a staunch supporter of the MusicLink Foundation for over two decades. Through its partnership with MusicLink, Schmitt Music has discounted music, donated pianos and piano moves, waived MusicLink teacher studio fees for in-store lessons and provided a baby grand piano for the annual Minnesota MusicLink Playathon. Our thanks to Doug and Tom Schmitt, as well as Sue Freeman Dopp for their constant interest in our MusicLink students and teachers.

Schmitt Music began over 120 years ago, when the Century Piano Company of Minneapolis brought Paul A. Schmitt from New York to manage its sheet music business. Six years later, in 1896, Paul A. Schmitt resigned from the Century Piano Company to open his own business at 606 Nicollet in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota.

In 2015 Schmitt Music welcomed the fifth generation into the family-run business! Peter T. Schmitt, great-great-grandson of founder, Paul A. Schmitt, joined the company and currently leads the development of Schmitt Music's orchestral strings offerings as Orchestra Division Manager. Doug Schmitt is currently Vice President of Music/Education Community Relations. These days Schmitt Music specializes in pianos, keyboards, band and orchestra instruments, musical accessories, sheet music, and instrument service and repair. They also provide space in their stores for music teachers to give over 185,000 music lessons each year. Additionally, Schmitt Music has been a Steinway & Sons piano dealer for nearly 55 years. Schmitt stores are located in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Colorado, and Kansas.