This is one in a series of blog posts featuring each member of The Presser Foundation’s Board and Committee. These individuals come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences but have one trait in common—they love music. Keep an eye out for the series to learn more about each member, their background, and why they…
An image of a concert hall courtesy of the New York Times. Where’s Classical Music’s Caitlin Clark? By Daniel Jackson, Graduate Music Fellow As a musician straddling both Western classical tradition and popular music culture, I offer a unique perspective shaped by my appreciation for the artistic beauty and rich history of both genres. This…
Image: Music for Everyone after school participants creating music and community together. By Dr. John R. Gerdy, Founder and Executive Director, Music For Everyone An ongoing debate within the educational community relates to how to classify music programs within the academic curriculum. Specifically, whether music and the arts should be considered an extracurricular or core…
By Daniel Jackson, Graduate Music Fellow On October 6th, the esteemed vocal ensemble Elevation, part of the Elevate Vocal Arts organization, graced the stage at Abington Presbyterian Church (PA) as part of the Music At Abington Concert Series. This free concert showcased Elevation, Delaware’s sole professional vocal ensemble, leveraging its extraordinary vocal prowess to deliver…
Various photos of Jonathan Schneider, Graduate Music Award recipient, performing the harp and learning in Europe By Jonathan Schneider 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…
By Daniel Jackson, Graduate Music Fellow On Sunday, October 27th, the Greater South Jersey Chorus and Chamber Singers, under the baton of Artistic Director Dr. Christopher Thomas and conductor Art McKenzie, captivated their audience with a beautifully curated program titled Untraveled Worlds: Landscapes From Within. Set against the evocative backdrop of the historic Scottish Rite…
By Daniel Jackson, Graduate Music Fellow Karim Sulayman, tenor; Sean Shibe, guitar On this clear and comfortable Sunday afternoon, I enjoyed the serenity of my back porch while watching tenor Karim Sulayman and guitarist Sean Shibe perform at the historic Benjamin Franklin Hall, hosted by the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society. This concert series showcases high-quality…
Jasmine De Leon received the 2023-24 Undergraduate Scholar Award from New Jersey City University. Here, we share why she was selected to be a Presser Scholar. Jasmine was named the first Presser Scholar at New Jersey City University (NCJU), a NASM Accredited Hispanic Serving Institution added to the Scholar Award Program in 2023-24. In May, Jasmine graduated…
The Presser Foundation Announces More Than $332,000 in Special Project Grants for Music OrganizationsThe Presser Foundation is pleased to announce new Special Project single-year and multi-year grants, totaling $332,750 to 22 innovative music organizations. This significant investment underscores the Foundation’s commitment to fostering creativity, collaboration, and inclusivity in the Greater Philadelphia music scene. This year’s…
By Daniel Jackson, Graduate Music Fellow This inaugural installment launches a five-part series that delves into classical music and its potential to foster social justice and create a more inclusive environment for diverse audiences. Surveys by the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA) and the Survey of Public Participation in the Arts provide insight on…