From left to right: Ambler Station Singers, Mosaic Youth Chorus, Mendelssohn Chorus By Jeremy Jefferson, Graduate Music Fellow Introduction It’s been around five months since I’ve started my Fellowship with The Presser Foundation, and I cannot express how thankful I am for this time. I’ve learned so much about philanthropy, grantmaking, and above all, how…
By Kate Houstoun On one evening in November 2025 – one hundred years after Theodore Presser’s passing – more than 200 people from over 150 organizations gathered in Philadelphia for the first time, forming in one place the musical community The Presser Foundation has supported for a century. Grantees, trustees, musicians, and longtime partners came…
Various photos from Heart of Jazz performances. By Dr. Alan Levenson, organized by Abby Rolland As part of The Presser Foundation’s drive to be more transparent and to amplify the work of its partners, it uses information from grant reports to highlight its grantees. Each post will spotlight one partner, who has final say…
By Jeremy Jefferson Community What does it mean to have community? For some, it’s simply being and interacting with other people. For others, it’s the city, town, or area that they live in. For me, it comes from the heart. My heart is connected to all of those in my circles and that’s what makes…
Kellan Dunlap presents his song cycles on gun violence in schools. By Kellan Dunlap 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 of truly exceptional…
2024-25 Special Projects grants The 2024-25 Special Projects grants showcase the creativity, resilience, and deep commitment to music education and performance demonstrated across the Greater Philadelphia music community. From youth music education programs to organizational transformations, we share how thirteen projects – alongside ten general operating support grants – have expanded access, built community, and…
Photo: Presser Scholar Olivia Bigler The Undergraduate Scholar Award was established by The Presser Foundation to celebrate undergraduate music students who have achieved a high level of musical and academic excellence, demonstrated leadership and service, and contributed to an inclusive community. Each year, one student in their final year at hundreds of higher education institutions across the…
Photo of the Branford Marsalis Quartet (top) and the Zellerbach Theater at Penn Live Arts (bottom) By Jeremy Jefferson, Graduate Music Fellow Penn Live Arts As someone new to living in Philadelphia, I love exploring different areas of the city. Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed emerging from the L on to the University of…
The Presser Foundation Announces More Than $200,000 in Special Project Grants for Music OrganizationsThe Presser Foundation is pleased to announce new Special Projects single-year and multi-year grants, totaling $201,735 to 25 music organizations. This investment underscores the Foundation’s commitment to fostering resilience and supporting new music organizations in Greater Philadelphia. This year’s grants include two…
