75th Anniversary Special Projects Grant

To celebrate the 75th Anniversary of The Presser Foundation (The Foundation), which was formally established in 1939 under various Deeds of Trust and Will of the late Theodore Presser, the Trustees invite eligible institutions to submit proposals to be considered to receive financial support for special projects that will especially celebrate and highlight the role of Philadelphia-born or -based composers and performers in the development of American concert music of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

The Foundation is one of the few private foundations in the United States dedicated solely to music education and music philanthropy.  It has a rich history of grant making because of the vision and guidance of Theodore Presser and because of the work of numerous Trustees over the years. The focus of the projects on Philadelphia-born or –based composers and performers honors the quality and influence of those musical artists who called Philadelphia home.  Philadelphia has a vibrant and well-documented music heritage and the city’s musical institutions have played leading roles in the development of American concert music.

“The Special Projects Committee is delighted to celebrate The Presser Foundation’s 75th Anniversary by remembering its founder, Theodore Presser, and offering this exciting opportunity to Greater Philadelphia Area music organizations to showcase Philadelphia composers and performers over the next three seasons.” Vera Wilson, Chairperson of the Special Projects Committee of The Foundation.

The Special Projects Committee will consider grant requests in the spring of 2014 (proposals due May 1, 2014) for projects that will take place during the 2014-15, 2015-16 and/or 2016-17 seasons. Activities that are a regular, continuing part of an organization’s operation will not be considered for this special project funding. Non-profit, 501(c)(3) music performance, music presenting or music educational organizations or a consortium of non-profit organizations led by a music organization are eligible to apply. Multi-year requests will be considered and should be submitted for projects that are greater than a year in duration.

Addendum: 75^th Anniversary Special Project Recipients:

• Choral Arts Philadelphia – The O Antiphons: A Philadelphia Composer “Songbook” (2014-15)
  counter)induction – Listening In: George Crumb at 85 (2014-15)
• Curtis Institute of Music – Jennifer Higdon Viola Concerto Commission (2014-15)
• LiveConnections – The New Sound of Philadelphia: Boundary Crossing World Premieres By Philly Composers for Philly Artists (2014-16)
• Lyric Fest – Composer in Residence Program (2014-15)
• Network for New Music – Vincent Persichetti Centennial (2014-15)
• Philadelphia Youth Orchestra – PYO’s Diamond Jubilee Concert Dedicated to The Presser Foundation for its 75th Anniversary (2014-15)
• PRISM Quartet, Inc. – Philadelphia Story (2014-16)
• Sister Cities Girlchoir – Marian Anderson Tribute Concert (2015-16)
• Symphony In C & Astral Artists – Beyond Barber: Composing Philadelphia (2015-16)
• The Philadelphia Orchestra – Philadelphia Commission II Micro-Festival (2015-16)