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…
One hundred years ago, the remarkable, innovative, and generous Theodore Presser passed away. The music educator and publisher first made his philanthropic mark on the music community in Philadelphia with the construction of the Presser Home for Retired Music Teachers. The Home offered a sanctuary for retired music teachers without financial means to live out…
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…
Photos from Dido and Aeneas, courtesy of Delaware Valley Opera Company. By Jeremy Jefferson, Graduate Music Fellow Hello! My name is Jeremy Jefferson, and I’m the 2025-26 Graduate Music Fellow at the Presser Foundation. I graduated with my master’s degree in Viola Performance from Lynn University this past spring, and I recently started studying for…
