News & Updates
News Release: The Presser Foundation Announces Capital Support Grants
May 2, 2017 – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – The Presser Foundation is pleased to announce the selection of grantees for Capital Support. These grants, totaling $647,500 this fiscal year, are designated for capital projects of music organizations providing a broad range of classical symphonic, chamber, choral and/or vocal music. Capital projects include the construction of new facilities and the renovation or expansion of existing facilities.
Dr. Jeffrey Cornelius, Chair of the Capital Support Committee commented on these grants, “Awardees of this year’s Capital Support grants were selected from among applications of considerable merit representing a wide range of educational and presenting organizations. Building and renovation initiatives approved by the Board were judged to be particularly congruent with founder Theodore Presser’s vision. Applicants established their potential for significant impact on advancing music education, performance, and philanthropy. We congratulate these organizations on their vision and their contributions to their respective communities.”
2016-17 Capital Support Grantees (in alphabetical order)
Bethany College
Cathedral Choir School of Delaware
The Grand Opera House
Historic Lansdowne Theater Corporation
Illinois Wesleyan University, Presser Hall*
Kimmel Center, Inc., Academy of Music*
Lebanon Valley College*
The Mann Center for the Performing Arts
Ohio Wesleyan University, Presser Legacy
Settlement Music School
Stetson University, Presser Hall
Temple University, Boyer College of Music and Dance
University of Delaware
*Previous Multi-Year Grantee
News Release: The Presser Foundation Announces Advancement of Music Grants
The Presser Foundation is pleased to announce the selection of grantees for Advancement of Music. These grants, totaling $700,000, provide general operating support to music presenting, music performing and music education organizations in the Greater Philadelphia Area.
Michael Stairs, Chair of the Advancement of Music Committee, provides comment, “Having received a record number of proposals for consideration, we are pleased to announce the selection of this year’s Advancement of Music grantees. These high-quality organizations represent the best in the field of orchestral and choral music programming providing both students and audiences with meaningful experiences. It is an honor to provide critical general operating support to these successful organizations in the Greater Philadelphia Area.”
2016-17 Advancement of Music Grantees (in alphabetical order)
Academy of Vocal Arts
Allentown Symphony Association
Ars Nova Workshop
Artistas y Musicos Latino Americanos
Astral Artistic Services, Inc.
Bucks County Choral Society
Bucks County Symphony Society
Cathedral Choir School of Delaware
Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia
Chester Children’s Chorus
Choral Arts Philadelphia
Commonwealth Youth Choirs
Community Conservatory
Community Music School Lehigh Valley
Community Music School of Collegeville
Darlington Arts Center
Delaware County Youth Orchestra
Delaware Symphony Orchestra
Dolce Suono Ensemble
Kimmel Center, Inc.
Lancaster Symphony Orchestra
LiveConnections
Lyric Fest
Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia
Musicopia
Network for New Music
Opera Philadelphia
OperaDelaware
Orchestra 2001
Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale
Philadelphia Chamber Music Society
Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts
Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus
Philadelphia Youth Orchestra
Piffaro, The Renaissance Band
Play On, Philly!
Princeton Symphony Orchestra
PRISM Quartet, Inc.
Reading Symphony Orchestra
Riverside Symphonia
Settlement Music School
Singing City
State Theatre Regional Arts Center at New Brunswick, Inc.
Symphony in C
Tempesta di Mare, Inc.
Temple University Music Preparatory Division
The Allentown Band
The Bach Choir of Bethlehem
The Crossing
The Friends of Chamber Music of Reading, Inc.
The Mann Center of the Performing Arts
The Music School of Delaware
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Trenton Community Music School
News Release: The Presser Foundation Announces Special Project Grants
The Presser Foundation is pleased to announce the selection of eleven Special Projects totaling $290,700 in both single year and multiple year grants. These grants are in addition to multi-year commitments to Astral Artistic Services, Inc., Rider University – Westminster Choir College, and Project 440 totaling $49,000. Lucinda S. Landreth, President of the Board of Trustees, commented, “We are proud to support so many worthy music presenting, music performing and music education organizations in the Greater Philadelphia area whose projects are innovative, compelling and fill a clearly defined community need.”
Special Project Grants: (in alphabetical order)
- Allentown Symphony Association: Organ Festival
- Bowerbird: Julius Eastman: That Which Is Fundamental
- Bucks County Choral Society: Voices of the Future
- Cathedral Choir School of Delaware: Wilmington Bach Festival
- Lyric Fest: Recording Project
- Network for New Music: ArtMusic 2018
- Philadelphia Chamber Music Society: Four Quartets – The Premiere Project
- Piffaro, The Renaissance Band: Hammer Blows that Changed the World: Music of the German Reformation
- Tempesta di Mare, Inc.: Reclaiming Telemann
- The Mann Center for the Performing Arts: New Frontiers: Launch, Explore, Discover
- The Philadelphia Orchestra: Bernstein Centennial Celebration
More information on the Foundation’s grant making activity can be found on it’s website www.presserfoundation.org.
Summer greetings on behalf of the Board and staff of The Presser Foundation!
News Release: The Presser Foundation Announces Capital Support Grants
April 27, 2016 – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – The Presser Foundation is pleased to announce the selection of grantees for Capital Support. These grants, totaling $715,000 this fiscal year, are designated for capital projects that advance the cause of music education or support music philanthropy. Capital projects include the construction of new facilities and the renovation or expansion of existing facilities. New this year is a Legacy Gift to honor the life and relationships of Mr. Theodore Presser. A $25,000 grant was given to University of Mount Union, where Mr. Presser attended and was an Assistant Professor of Instrumental Music.
Dr. Jeffrey Cornelius, Chair of the Capital Support Committee commented on these grants, “Theodore Presser’s philanthropic vision guides the decisions of the Capital Support Committee of the Board of Trustees. From the many fine project applications we receive, we carefully select those most consistent with the funding guidelines of The Foundation, which stem directly from Mr. Presser’s intentions. We are delighted with the quality of the proposals for which we are providing funding and to join with other funding sources of these organizations in seeing these projects come to reality.“
2015-16 Capital Support Grantees (in alphabetical order)
Illinois Wesleyan University, Presser Hall
Kimmel Center, Inc. | Opera Philadelphia | Pennsylvania Ballet | The Philadelphia Orchestra, Academy of Music
Lebanon Valley College
The Mann Center*
Rider University, Westminster Choir College*
Temple University, Boyer College of Music and Dance*
University of Mount Union, Legacy Gift
University of the Arts
WCR Center for the Arts, Inc.*
*Previous Multi-Year Grantee
News Release: The Presser Foundation Announces Advancement of Music Grants
February 24, 2016 – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – The Presser Foundation is pleased to announce the selection of grantees for Advancement of Music. These grants, totaling $700,000, provide general operating support to music presenting, music performing and music education organizations within a 100-mile radius of Center City Philadelphia.
Michael Stairs, Chair of the Advancement of Music Committee, provides comment, “On behalf of The Presser Foundation, we are gratified to support such a vibrant and high-quality group of musical organizations. These grantees create exciting, rewarding and meaningful experiences for both students and audiences of serious music. It is an honor to provide critical general operating support to these thriving organizations in the Greater Philadelphia Area.”
2015-16 Advancement of Music Grantees (in alphabetical order)
Academy of Vocal Arts
Allentown Symphony Association
Ars Nova Workshop
Astral Artistic Services, Inc.
Bucks County Choral Society
Cathedral Choir School of Delaware
Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia
Chester Children’s Chorus
Choral Arts Philadelphia
Commonwealth Youth Choirs
Community Conservatory
Community Music School Lehigh Valley
Community Music School of Collegeville
Darlington Arts Center
Delaware County Youth Orchestra
Delaware Symphony Orchestra
Dolce Suono Ensemble
Kimmel Center, Inc.
Lancaster Symphony Orchestra
LiveConnections
Lyric Fest
Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia
Musicopia
Network for New Music
OperaDelaware
Opera Philadelphia
Orchestra 2001
Philadelphia Chamber Music Society
Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus
Philadelphia Youth Orchestra
Piffaro, The Renaissance Band
Play On, Philly!
PRISM Quartet, Inc.
Reading Symphony Orchestra
Settlement Music School
Singing City
State Theatre Regional Arts Center at New Brunswick, Inc.
Symphony in C
Tempesta di Mare, Inc.
Temple University Music Preparatory Division
The Allentown Band
The Bach Choir of Bethlehem
The Crossing
The Mann Center of the Performing Arts
The Music School of Delaware
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Trenton Community Music School
Tri-County Concerts Association, Inc.
The Kimmel Center Recognizes The Presser Foundation for Support of Jazz Residency
“The Kimmel Center is committed to nurturing the creative pool of jazz artists that reside in Philadelphia,” said Kimmel Center Artistic Director Jay Wahl. “Philadelphia has always been a celebrated Jazz city, with many legendary musicians who grow up here and live here touring the world. This residency allows us to bring together talented local artists to collaborate and create new music in a public forum.”
–Jay Wahl, Artistic Director, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
The Kimmel Center created this brief video on its Jazz Residency Program. The video provides a peek into the artists and their concept for the 2016 Jazz Residency.
Here is the link: https://youtu.be/rCMHksp4388
News Release: The Presser Foundation Announces 2015-16 Special Project Grants
The Presser Foundation Announces Special Project Grants
December 22, 2015 – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – The Presser Foundation is pleased to announce the selection of thirteen Special Projects totaling $366,500 in both single year and multiple year grants. Lucinda S. Landreth, President of the Board of Trustees, commented, “We are proud to support so many worthy music presenting, music performing and music education organizations in the Greater Philadelphia area whose projects are innovative, compelling and fill a clearly defined community need.”
Special Project Grants: (in alphabetical order)
- Allentown Symphony Association: Latin Rhythms
- Astral Artistic Services, Inc.: Next Score
- Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia: Pictures at an Exhibition
- Chester Children’s Chorus: Collaboration with Media Chamber Chorale
- Delaware Symphony Orchestra: Recording with Brasil Guitar Duo
- Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia: Honeger’s King David
- Opera Philadelphia: War Stories
- Philadelphia Music Teachers Association: Dr. Andor Kiszley Carnegie Hall Solo, Ensemble and Concerto Recital
- PRISM Quartet, Inc.: Color Theory: Saxophones & Percussion
- Rider University – Westminster Choir College: Transforming Space
- Project 440: All City Enrichment
- The Mann Center for the Performing Arts: Firebird Spirit Rising
- The Philadelphia Orchestra: Charles Dutoit Celebration – War Requiem
More information on the Foundation’s grant making activity can be found on it’s website www.presserfoundation.org.
Settlement Music School Germantown Branch Dedication
The Presser Foundation Board President, Lucinda Landreth, spoke on behalf of The Foundation at the Dedication Ceremony for Settlement Music School Germantown Branch (6128 Germantown Avenue) on Saturday, December 5, 2015. The Germantown Branch has completed the first part of a major renovation totaling $1.8 million.
The Germantown renovation project has been years in the making, and has been made possible by a combination of public and private funders (including The Presser Foundation), as well as cooperation from neighbors and community organizations, in order to make the improvements that will equip the branch to serve as an anchor institution for the neighborhood. Most notably, the branch and adjacent parking lot have been reconfigured to accommodate 4 acres of stormwater runoff, creating water management solutions for a large portion of Germantown in addition to Settlement’s own property. 
News Release: The Presser Foundation Announces New Officers, Trustees and Honorary Trustees
June 23, 2015 – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – The Presser Foundation is pleased to announce new Officers: President – Lucinda S. Landreth; Vice President – Jeffrey Cornelius; Secretary – Sharon Sorokin; Treasurer – William M. Davison, 4th.
Ms. Landreth had a successful career in investment management and currently serves as independent trustee of Delaware Investment Family of Funds. In addition to her work at The Presser Foundation since 2007, Ms. Landreth is an active volunteer, holding various positions at Academy of Vocal Arts, Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, and LEADERSHIP, Inc., amongst others. Commenting on her new appointment, Ms. Landreth remarked, “The Presser Foundation has been supporting retired music teachers and music students at over 200 undergraduate and graduate institutions, and providing general operating, capital and special project support to musical organizations for more than 75 years. It has a very well respected history of philanthropy and it is a privilege to be asked to guide the Foundation, its staff and dedicated Trustees to continue this legacy.”
Trustees expressed their gratitude to Robert Capanna for the ten years he served as President presenting him with a special resolution and commission for a new piece of music in partnership with Philadelphia Chamber Music Society. Remarking on the milestone, Mr. Capanna said “I am very pleased to end my tenure as President of The Foundation with a successful transition to a wonderful new management team, a much-improved on-line grant application process and terrific new leadership for the Board of Trustees. By leveraging the expertise of our board and limiting our administrative expense, The Presser Foundation is well positioned to continue to have a positive impact on the musical life of the Philadelphia region.”
Trustees elected for a three-year term through June 30, 2018 include: Peter Burwasser, Robert Capanna, William B. McLaughlin, III, Ellen Rosen, Corey R. Smith and Mark Wait. Ellen Rosen, a new Trustee, is a former business executive who worked at various financial services companies. Ms. Rosen serves as Treasurer of The Print Center and on the Board of Alliance Française. She also volunteers at the Henry C. Lea School library for the West Philadelphia Alliance For Children.
Anthony Checchia and Robert W. Denious served as Trustees of The Presser Foundation since 1991 and 1995 respectively. In recognition for their exemplary service, the gentlemen received the title of Honorary Trustee and each given the opportunity to provide a grant to a musical organization.
Theodore Presser (1848 – 1925) rose from humble beginnings to become a respected music teacher and publisher. Familiar with the many challenges facing musicians, he established The Presser Foundation which supports music performance and education through undergraduate and graduate scholar awards, operating and program support for music organizations, capital grants for music building projects, and assistance to retired music teachers.
The Presser Foundation was established in 1939 under the Deeds of Trust and Will of the late Theodore Presser. It is one of the few private foundations in the United States dedicated solely to music education and music philanthropy. It is our hope that every institution, organization and individual funded by The Presser Foundation will read about the rich history of The Foundation and the inspiring biography of Theodore Presser.