By Baker Purdon Chamber music is a classical music genre performed by a smaller group of musicians than you would see in an orchestra. Historically (and contemporaneously), these concerts can often be performed in what we used to call chambers, or small rooms, in a home. More often than not, however, chamber music is now…
By Teresa Rodgers and Abby Rolland It’s easy to be inspired when you work in philanthropy. At The Presser Foundation, we work with hundreds of music organizations dedicated to music performance, music presentation, and music education. Every one of these organizations sees music as a way to connect, to inspire, to serve, and to bridge…
Photo of a Musicopia student using GarageBand. Capital funds from the Foundation were used to purchase the iPads, cases, and microphones pictured. By Abby Rolland For years, The Presser Foundation’s Capital Support grantmaking area focused on supporting the construction of new buildings and renovation, repair, or expansion projects to existing buildings. By providing funding for…
Pictured: The Renaissance Sextuplet By Abby Rolland One of the best parts about working at The Presser Foundation is the opportunity to attend music performances by our grantee partners. The variety of types of music shared, the artists who perform, the wonderful venues – each and every performance is an opportunity to discover more music.…
From top, clockwise: Princeton Symphony Orchestra, Delaware Symphony Orchestra, Lancaster Symphony Orchestra By Baker Purdon A symphony orchestra is a shapeshifting ensemble capable of transporting listeners through time, space, and emotion. Comprising a large group of musicians playing a variety of instruments (including strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, and more), symphony orchestras are known for their…
Dr. Wright at The Philadelphia Orchestra performance of his piece “Resounding Drums.” By Abby Rolland This is one in a series of blog posts featuring each one of The Presser Foundation’s Board and Committee members. These individuals come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences but have one trait in common – they love music.…
The author on the Isle of Skye, where she completed some of her research By Rachel Bani 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…
Photo Credit: Torello Productions By Baker Purdon “Every child is an artist; the problem is staying an artist when you grow up.” When famous painter Pablo Picasso said this, he critiqued the progressive stripping of creativity and freedom from a person’s life as they grow up. In an effort to solve this problem, a multi-year…
By Baker Purdon It feels appropriate to disclose my bias and profound love for Margaret Bonds’ Credo early in this review. It has become one of my most loved pieces of music from the 20th Century, partly because of its powerful sentiment and the sheer beauty and partly because of my personal connections to it.…
Rose Haselhorst received the 2021-22 Undergraduate Scholar Award from Northwestern University. This letter was written by her to the Foundation. To The Presser Foundation: I am honored to be recognized as a recipient of the Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award for the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University, and I am truly grateful for your…