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,…
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…
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.…
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…
By Daniel Jackson, Graduate Music Fellow Encouraging. Inspiring. Liberating. Thought-provoking. My heart is full…You had to be there. If The Presser Foundation allowed it, this review of the Elevate Vocal Arts’ (EVA) Bent, But Not Broken (BBNB) Conference would be as short as the preceding statement. Alas, this transformative conference deserves a more robust description.…
An image of a concert hall courtesy of the New York Times. Where’s Classical Music’s Caitlin Clark? By Daniel Jackson, Graduate Music Fellow As a musician straddling both Western classical tradition and popular music culture, I offer a unique perspective shaped by my appreciation for the artistic beauty and rich history of both genres. This…
By Daniel Jackson, Graduate Music Fellow On October 6th, the esteemed vocal ensemble Elevation, part of the Elevate Vocal Arts organization, graced the stage at Abington Presbyterian Church (PA) as part of the Music At Abington Concert Series. This free concert showcased Elevation, Delaware’s sole professional vocal ensemble, leveraging its extraordinary vocal prowess to deliver…
By Daniel Jackson, Graduate Music Fellow On Sunday, October 27th, the Greater South Jersey Chorus and Chamber Singers, under the baton of Artistic Director Dr. Christopher Thomas and conductor Art McKenzie, captivated their audience with a beautifully curated program titled Untraveled Worlds: Landscapes From Within. Set against the evocative backdrop of the historic Scottish Rite…
By Daniel Jackson, Graduate Music Fellow Karim Sulayman, tenor; Sean Shibe, guitar On this clear and comfortable Sunday afternoon, I enjoyed the serenity of my back porch while watching tenor Karim Sulayman and guitarist Sean Shibe perform at the historic Benjamin Franklin Hall, hosted by the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society. This concert series showcases high-quality…