||:HerClassical:||: Teaching classical music by female composers

The ||:HerClassical:|| logo By Alissa Freeman 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 graduate music students who have the potential to…

Committee Member Spotlight: Susan D. Van Vorst

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. Keep an eye out on the series to learn more about each member, their background,…

Changes to The Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award

A collage of some of the Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award recipients from 2021-22. Theodore Presser, the founder of The Presser Foundation, had a passion for music education. The music publisher began his career as a music educator. When he created the Foundation, he committed it to “music education and music philanthropy.” The Presser Foundation has…

Spotlight on: Esperanza and AMLA

Photo Description: A performance at Esperanza Arts Center in 2020-2021 Pulled from reports written by Bill Rhoads and Daniel de Jesús, 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…

Trustee Spotlight: Stanford Thompson

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. Keep an eye out on the series to learn more about each member, their background,…

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…