By Baker Purdon, Music Fellow History Since the inception of the United States, the American orchestra has been predominantly local in scope. Before the Civil War, most American orchestras operated within the boundaries of a single city and its immediate vicinity. They were generally either standing orchestras in local theaters, ad hoc orchestras for special…
Kevin Lopez received the 2021-22 Undergraduate Scholar Award from Texas Woman’s University (TWU) and applied the award funds as a scholarship. He shared his background and what the award means to him with the Foundation. What does receiving this scholarship assistance mean to you? I am beyond appreciative to receive this scholarship assistance. As…
Photo Description: Singers Jarrod Lee, Toni Marie Palmertree, Andrew Bidlack and Hannah Ludwig performing at an open-air Pop-Up Opera event. As part of The Presser Foundation’s drive to be more transparent and to amplify the work of its partners, it has begun to use information from grant reports to highlight its grantees. Each post will…
Grants & Communications Manager Abby Rolland, former Executive Director Mariel Frank, and current Executive Director Teresa Araco Rodgers By Abby Rolland While The Presser Foundation was created by a man, Theodore Presser, in the early 20th century, women have played a critical role in guiding the Foundation throughout its history. One of those women…
By Dr. Susan Dantoni Susan Dantoni received the 2021-22 Undergraduate Scholar Award from Roberts Wesleyan University. She wrote this thank you letter to the Foundation. I wish to express my sincere appreciation for the opportunity afforded me of being selected as the Roberts Wesleyan University Presser Scholar for the 2022-2023 school year. There were many…
By Abbey Young 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 make a distinguished…
By Abby Rolland Recently, The Presser Foundation hosted the fourth iteration of its virtual Next Movement event series, this time focusing on (Nonprofit) Boards & DEI. The Foundation plans to host three Next Movement events every year, and at least one of those each year will focus on topics around DEI (August 2021 spotlighted four partner…
Pianist Laura Ward, soprano Magdalena Kuzma (center) and mezzo Sun-Ly Pierce at the Academy of Vocal Arts. Photo courtesy of The Chestnut Hill Local. By Baker Purdon, Music Fellow When I accepted The Presser Foundation’s Graduate Music Fellowship, I knew I would have the opportunity to see some of the best performances Philadelphia has at…
The Presser Foundation announces $251,000 in new special projects grants to music organizationsThe Presser Foundation is pleased to announce new Special Project grants totaling $251,000 to 23 music organizations for the fiscal year 2022-23. This year, music organizations were invited to apply for any one of the following categories: 1) pilot projects/first-time programmatic collaborations, 2) significant…
By Abby Rolland Conferences, regardless of the topic, are often exhausting, whirlwind experiences. But they are so rewarding. For my first in-person conference in three years, I flew to Minneapolis to attend Exponent Philanthropy’s annual conference. Exponent Philanthropy is a national membership organization of lean, small-staffed funders who seek to amplify their impact while funding…