Before he created the Presser Publishing Company and published The Etude Music Magazine, Theodore Presser studied and taught music at various colleges, universities, and conservatories in the United States and Germany. When he left teaching to start The Etude in 1883, music teachers became an important part of his success, as they were the ones subscribing to the magazine and eventually, purchasing the sheet music that the Company published.
Based on his own experiences and the support of music teachers around the country, Mr. Presser remained committed to support music teachers through his philanthropy. Below is an excerpt from the article “Theodore Presser: Before the Etude Part III,” written by Dr. E. Douglas Bomberger about Mr. Presser’s life, which describes how Mr. Presser channeled his philanthropy to support teachers – through the creation of the Presser Home for Retired Music Teachers (pictured above).
“Inspired by a visit to Verdi’s Casa di Riposo per Musicisti (Musicians’ Rest Home) in Milan, Italy, Presser purchased a building in Philadelphia in September 1906 to serve as a home for retired music teachers. He knew that music teaching was not lucrative, leaving many of his former colleagues without a retirement fund or a means to provide themselves with a dignified retirement, and his goal was to provide a pleasant place for music teachers to spend their retirement years with like-minded individuals. The concept was a new one in the United States, and as he had often done in his business career, Presser found creative solutions to promoting it. Initial response to invitations for applications to the “Presser Home for Aged Musicians” was lackluster, but when Presser realized that the name was off-putting, he changed it to the “Presser Home for Retired Music Teachers” and saw the applications swell. In 1914, a spacious building complex was built on the property next to Presser’s private residence in Germantown, Pennsylvania, that became the permanent site of the Presser Home for Retired Music Teachers. For the rest of his life, Presser spent much of his free time visiting teachers at the home, with whom he felt a special connection.”
Even after Mr. Presser’s passing, the Presser Home continued as a place where retired music teachers could live. When it was no longer practical to maintain an independent facility, The Presser Foundation continued to carry on Mr. Presser’s vision of supporting retired teachers who have financial need through a stipend program.
Through that program, the Foundation provides modest financial assistance and/or help with the cost of medical insurance. Awards are made to individuals living in the United States whose primary occupation was as a teacher of music.
Since 2017-2018, the program has given more than $640,000 directly to the retired teachers. The program remains a small portion of the Foundation’s overall grantmaking budget; however, it has great benefits for the music teachers who dedicated their careers to spreading the joy of music with others. One of the recipients shared their thoughts about the program and the impact on their life.
“Heartfelt thanks to you and the Assistance committee for making my life happier and my financial situation so much less stressful. The Presser Foundation is the reason I can go on teaching and living life productively.”
Through the Assistance to Music Teachers program, The Presser Foundation continues Theodore Presser’s desire to help retired music teachers. It’s a unique program, and one not often seen at private grantmaking foundations, but one that carries on the vision and wishes of its founder.
If you are interested in applying for this program, click here to learn more.
