A History of Chamber Music

By Baker Purdon Chamber music is a classical music genre performed by a smaller group of musicians than you would see in an orchestra. Historically (and contemporaneously), these concerts can often be performed in what we used to call chambers, or small rooms, in a home. More often than not, however, chamber music is now…

Capital Support: 2022-2023

The Presser Foundation Will Distribute $876,000 In Capital Support Grants In 2023The Presser Foundation is pleased to announce new Capital Support grants totaling $524,700 in single year and multi-year grants to 20 music organizations. Grant payments made in 2023 for previous commitments total $604,800. A full listing by category of the grantee organizations is below.…

Centering youth voice

By Teresa Rodgers and Abby Rolland It’s easy to be inspired when you work in philanthropy. At The Presser Foundation, we work with hundreds of music organizations dedicated to music performance, music presentation, and music education. Every one of these organizations sees music as a way to connect, to inspire, to serve, and to bridge…

Music at the libraries

Pictured: The Renaissance Sextuplet  By Abby Rolland One of the best parts about working at The Presser Foundation is the opportunity to attend music performances by our grantee partners. The variety of types of music shared, the artists who perform, the wonderful venues – each and every performance is an opportunity to discover more music.…

A Tour of Regional Orchestras: Part II

From top, clockwise: Princeton Symphony Orchestra, Delaware Symphony Orchestra, Lancaster Symphony Orchestra By Baker Purdon A symphony orchestra is a shapeshifting ensemble capable of transporting listeners through time, space, and emotion. Comprising a large group of musicians playing a variety of instruments (including strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, and more), symphony orchestras are known for their…

Committee Member Spotlight: Dr. Maurice Wright

Dr. Wright at The Philadelphia Orchestra performance of his piece “Resounding Drums.”  By Abby Rolland This is one in a series of blog posts featuring each one of The Presser Foundation’s Board and Committee members. These individuals come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences but have one trait in common – they love music.…

Researching Gaelic songs in the Scottish Highlands

The author on the Isle of Skye, where she completed some of her research By Rachel Bani Invited annually, graduate schools of music present the Presser Graduate Music Award to an outstanding graduate music student whom they select. The program is designed to encourage and support in a special way the advanced education and career…

The Power of Intergenerational Music-Making

Photo Credit: Torello Productions By Baker Purdon “Every child is an artist; the problem is staying an artist when you grow up.” When famous painter Pablo Picasso said this, he critiqued the progressive stripping of creativity and freedom from a person’s life as they grow up. In an effort to solve this problem, a multi-year…

Advancement of Music: 2022-2023

The Presser Foundation Will Give $1.25 Million In General Operating Support Grants to Music OrganizationsThe Presser Foundation is pleased to announce another round of general operating support grants totaling $1,250,000 to 109 music organizations in the Greater Philadelphia area. The number of music organizations given to is the most in the Foundation’s history in this…