Daynes Music is closing after 165 years

SALT LAKE CITY — The Daynes Music Company, a six-generation chapter in American Piano history, will shut its doors later this season.

Founded by pioneers who crossed the plains with an organ that still sits in their store, Daynes Music has been a lyrical heartbeat for 165 years.

Founded in 1862 by John Daynes in a log building in downtown Salt Lake City, the company became Utah's oldest continuously run family business and one of the nation's longest-standing music retailers.

In 1873, just two decades after Steinway & Sons was founded, Daynes became the first Steinway dealership west of New York, establishing what would grow into one of the most distinguished dealer relationships in the company's history.

Kerwin Ipsen has worked to shape the business model for 39 years.

"We're a small business," CEO and President of Daynes Music Company, Kerwin Ipsen, said. "We are surrounded, every day, by the best musicians on earth and we hear the best music."

Ipsen noted that many local piano teachers and advanced students will be affected when the library no longer exists.

"It's the most exclusive piano collection for classical sheet music that you can find in the state," Ipsen said. "It's the only place where you can walk in and find the complete set of etudes by Frederic Chopin. It's at your fingertips. You can browse it and play it."

Ipsen worked closely with Skip Daynes, who ran the store for 50 years, before his passing in 2024. Skip's wife, Susan, said her late husband wanted to share the gift of music with everyone.

"He wanted kids to learn how to play the piano," Susan Daynes said. "He worked to connect with university officials so that Utah's colleges and universities could have Steinways for their students to play on."

Over its tenure, Daynes Music likely sold more Steinway pianos than any other dealership and achieved more "All-Steinway School" designations than any dealer in the country.

Institutions served include the University of Utah, Weber State University, Utah State University, Utah Valley University, Southern Utah University and Snow College.

What started as a log cabin storefront in downtown Salt Lake City in 1862 turned into a State Street showroom housing dozens of majestic pianos. Over the years, numerous global musical artists visited the store.

Ipsen listed dozens, including the director of the Cleveland Institute of Music, Grant Johannesen, and Jazz phenomenon Billy Taylor.

"You have heard of The Five Browns," Ipsen said. "Supporting them with five pianos wherever they went was a big and unique challenge."

The need for the music store is ongoing, but Susan mentioned it's been more challenging since her husband's passing.

"From generation to generation, this music business has been our life," Susan said. "The dream crossed the plains. In fact, this organ traveled with the saints to Utah."

Susan motioned to a melodeon, which is a small organ, that sits in the music store's main office.

"The pioneers would play this every night after walking. The music brought joy," Susan said. "Our ancestor Joseph J. Daynes played this organ and caught the attention of Brigham Young. When Joseph was 11-years-old, Brigham Young told him he would be the Tabernacle Organist."

Joseph traveled to New York to study music. Upon returning to Utah, he became the first Tabernacle Organist at the age of 15.

"When he played the organ, he was so short that they had to put blocks on his feet, so his feet could reach the pedals," Susan said. "He was on the bench for 32 years and composed many songs in the hymn book."

The Daynes family brought music to the valley more than 160 years ago.

With the family business closing down, Susan hopes to find homes for 50 pianos. A sale begins next Thursday, March 12.

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