Jyotindra M. Parekh stands beside one of the finest pianos on the market, a Steinway medium–sized grand piano.

The sounds of piano music have been flowing through the showroom of Rice Music House for over 80 years. On April 5, 2004, the company changed hands when Jyotindra M. Parekh and his wife, Mary, purchased the Columbia fixture.

Parekh, a native of Bangalore, India, has been in the music industry for 32 years. He began as a salesman for Wurlitzer in Detroit where he was pursuing his MBA at the University of Detroit. In 1982, he joined Jordan Kitt’s Music of College Park MD as vice president of operations and finance for the Denver division. When he was promoted to president of Steinway Piano Galleries in Atlanta, he had the dream of expanding Kitt’s into SC.

His plan didn’t turn out exactly the way he had designed. “Kitt said ‘no’,” Parekh said. “So I asked the president for permission to expand on my own, and he gave his blessing.”

Parekh and his wife have big plans for Rice Music House, which include the reopening of the recital hall and eight teaching studios on the second floor. One of Parekh’s biggest dreams is opening a Rice Music House in Charleston and later in the Greenville/Spartanburg area.

However, at the present time their efforts are focused on preserving the reputation and history of Rice Music while improving services and involvement in the community.

Parekh discovered a rich history within the walls of the music house. There was an antique National Cash Register from 1912 which stands on display at the back of the store. “We found sheet music with prices marked 10¢ and advertising for brand new pianos for only $178.” Today similar pianos sell for thousands.

Parekh also inherited loyal employees who have worked at Rice for over 40 years and customers who are still fulfilling their original rental contracts at $6 a month.

Even though expansion is on the horizon, Parekh stands by the vision that Rice Music House was founded upon. “Our motto is to provide the best customer service and satisfaction and to sell the highest quality product at the lowest price.”