The Presser Foundation grantee Artistas y Músicos Latino Americanos (AMLA), a music education organization It’s Not Music Education’s Fault. By Daniel Jackson, Graduate Music Fellow While public school music education is important for exposing young children to and fostering an understanding of classical music, it cannot reverse the genre’s significant decline in cultural relevance. Historically,…
Photos feature Mamadêlê Foundation’s educational and performance programming at Lincoln High School, Carnell Elementary School, and the performance group Recycled Sounds. Pulled from reports written by Leslie Macêdo, organized by Abby Rolland* As part of The Presser Foundation’s efforts to be more transparent and to amplify the work of its partners, it uses information from…
By Daniel Jackson, Graduate Music Fellow On Saturday, December 14th, I treated myself to a scenic drive through the picturesque Swarthmore suburbs to attend one of the two Winter Concerts presented by the Chester Children’s Chorus (CCC). Upon arriving at the beautiful Swarthmore College campus, I followed a winding walking path adorned with stunning architecture…
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…
The multitalented Paul Robeson excelled as a vocalist, civil rights advocate, performer on stage and screen, and professional football player. Several years ago, the renovation of Robeson’s Philadelphia residence, where he spent his final decade, received seed funding through a grant from The Presser Foundation. Though historic home restoration falls outside the Foundation’s usual scope,…
Graduate Music Fellow Daniel Jackson For three years, The Presser Foundation has hosted a graduate music student fellowship where the Fellow attends and writes about grantee performances/programs. This work increases the Foundation’s transparency, amplifies grantee partners, and gives the Fellow the opportunity to learn about music organizations, connect with leaders in the field, and contribute…
By Daniel Jackson, Graduate Music Fellow On Sunday, December 15th, I walked along S. Broad Street, filled with excitement as I approached what I lovingly call “the House that Tindley Built”—Tindley’s Temple—experiencing it for the first time. A century ago, Rev. Dr. Charles A. Tindley referred to this sanctuary as “God’s Cathedral” during its construction.…
Image: Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey educational programming (top) and community concert (bottom) By Jill Aguayo, Executive Director, Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey For the Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey (CPNJ), classical music is more than a performance—it’s a mission to revitalize and uplift the Trenton community, our home. As one of the few orchestras…
Isla Coronado received the 2023-24 Undergraduate Scholar Award from Texas A&M University, Kingsville. Here, we share why she was selected to be a Presser Scholar. Isla was named the first Presser Scholar at Texas A&M University, Kingsville, a Hispanic-Serving Institution where she studied Music with a double concentration in Performance and Education. Dr. Elizabeth Janzen, Associate Chair…
By Daniel Jackson, Graduate Music Fellow Monday, November 4th, 2024, before dawn. Due to my PhD study habits, I often fall asleep on the couch. The alarm on my cell phone unceremoniously brought me out of my slumber on my living room couch. During these early hours of the morning, I often meander through social…