The Presser Foundation

Seeking to support musicians affected by the wildfires in Los Angeles? Interested in learning about two grantees making a difference? Wanting to watch a recording of our most recent Next Movement with New Music USA? The January newsletter answers these questions and much more! Check out what's been going on at the Foundation as well as upcoming news and events. https://lnkd.in/eJ7DqG7z #thepresserfoundation #news #newsletter #grantees #announcements #grants #greaterphiladelphia

Young, hard-working, talented musicians from Equity Arc were denied the opportunity to play with the "President's Own" U.S. Marine Band. On a week's notice, they received the opportunity play with retired veteran musicians near Washington, D.C. as they demonstrated how music can transcend divides and bring people together. You can watch the band featured on 60 Minutes (tune in from 15:25-28:45). Congratulations to Equity Arc, its team (including its Executive Director and Foundation Trustee and Vice President Stanford Thompson), the veteran musicians, and most of all, the incredible students for their dedication and commitment. https://lnkd.in/e36VPGSU

Today, National Recorder Day, is the perfect day to play and listen to a recorder. You can do either at Piffaro, The Renaissance Band's Recorder Fest! Featuring opportunities for performances, a masterclass, a community play-in, and more, Recorder Fest offers the perfect opportunity to learn more about and celebrate the recorder. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eDYDryi6 Pictured: Students play their recorders at last year's Recorder Fest. #recorder #music #nationalrecorderday #recorderfest #piffaro #grantee #philadelphia #thepresserfoundation

Several weeks ago, Graduate Music Fellow Daniel Jackson tuned into WRTI, a Foundation grantee: "I tuned into WRTI’s Saturday Morning Classical program, which provided a beautiful backdrop for my morning studies and sparked engaging conversations with my daughter. "Hosted by Mike Bolton, the show airs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring intriguing insights to engage listeners. Highlights included Joseph Haydn’s Symphony No. 30 in C Major by the Austro-Hungarian Haydn Orchestra. My 11-year-old, a novice band student and dancer, was captivated by our discussion on classical form and melodic motive as demonstrated in Haydn’s work. A profound discussion arose when we heard Brahms' Alto Rhapsody performed by The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts and Choral Arts Philadelphia, with famed soprano Jessye Norman, providing an opportunity to explore Norman's impact and that of Black American musicians in classical music. "In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many music radio broadcasts focused on music appreciation aired on national affiliates, with some offering advanced playlists, instructor manuals, and student notebooks. Today, the collaboration between radio stations, music education, and professional music organizations appears less significant. However, stations like WRTI provide excellent opportunities for deeper music appreciation and education, sparking imagination and engaging listeners in meaningful exploration of the musical arts." #music #wrti #radio #classical #conversation #grantee #philadelphia #thepresserfoundation

We're back with our grantee spotlights! Featured today is Mamadêlê Foundation, a nonprofit bringing Afro-Brazilian music, dance, and martial arts to Philadelphia since 2017. Through education programs in local schools and performances worldwide, they've reached more than 10,000 people annually — helping Brazilian immigrants in Philly build community while celebrating their cultural heritage. Their mission counters systemic racism by embracing and sharing the richness of Afro-Brazilian traditions. Learn more about how Mamadêlê is transforming lives through the arts. #mamadêlêfoundation #music #afrobrazilian #education #performance #community #equity #philadelphia #grantee #thepresserfoundation

Last week, Administrative & Grants Manager Rachael Gartner attended a sold-out First Friday performance by the Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra at the Barnes Foundation. She shares, "Black Pearl's music resonated throughout the Annenberg Court and neighboring exhibit spaces, as they delivered masterful performances of the works of Jessie Montgomery, Julia Perry, J.S. Bach, and Heitor Villa-Lobos. The seamless fusion of music and visual art created an unforgettable experience." Learn more about Black Pearl: https://lnkd.in/e5TAcJFG #blackpearlchamberorchestra #barnesfoundation #music #grantee #philadelphia #thepresserfoundation

Several weeks ago, Graduate Music Fellow Daniel Jackson visited the Rowan Community Music School to learn more about their programming and how they seek to reach additional students: "I had the pleasure of visiting the Rowan Community Music School (RCMS) in Glassboro, NJ. Dr. Richard Dammers, Dean of the School of Performing Arts was gracious enough to provide me with a tour of the school, and a discussion about the program. The Rowan Community Music School envisions a community-based music education that fosters a challenging yet nurturing environment, enabling individuals from diverse backgrounds to achieve their fullest potential. "Committed to excellence in instruction and performance, the school prepares the youth for further music study while instilling a lifelong love for music as both practitioners and appreciative listeners. Furthermore, it provides a transformative enrichment and engagement opportunity for adults to continue their musical journey.?The program offers five youth ensembles of differing musical genres, and the Horizon’s Band-and ensemble dedicated to adults 55 years of age and over.?RCMS offers private lessons for all instruments in the orchestral family, guitar and ukelele, music technology and voice. "During our conversation, Dr. Dammers highlighted the need for additional space due to the growing enrollment in the School of Music and the introduction of new offerings in the RCMS program. To accommodate this demand, Rowan University has acquired the Intermediate School building near its campus, which will host some RCMS classes. Notably, the program will soon launch a Horizons Choir and group classes focused on professional development. "At the end of my tour, I asked Dr. Dammers what would help the program achieve his ideal vision. As an organization reliant on participant registration fees, he expressed a desire for an endowment fund to improve access and affordability—music for all. This sentiment aligns with his mentor, Bennett Reimer, a pioneer in music education who believed that quality music education should be a privilege for everyone. Given their current efforts, I believe Rowan's Community Music School is well on its way to realizing this dream."

To commemorate the holiday season, Graduate Music Fellow Daniel Jackson attended the sold-out Chester Children's Chorus winter concert late last year. Needless to say, he was quite impressed by the choir's performance and its educational mission. "Dr. John Alston and his colleague Sean Tripline deserve commendation for fostering a nurturing and energetic environment for both the students and the supportive community. This remarkable performance is a testament to the outstanding organization’s commitment to developing both the individual and the musician." #youth #music #education #chesterchildrenschorus #fellow #grantee #thepresserfoundation #greaterphiladelphia #concert

March kicks off Women's History Month, which was formally established in 1987 to highlight the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. There are a number of contemporary and historical songs that highlight women and their efforts, as well as a litany of female singers, songwriters, and other musicians who have played vital roles in society. We invite you to spend some time looking into how women have contributed to music, as well as how music has amplified women's efforts. #womenshistorymonth #singers #song #music #contributions #women #thepresserfoundation

Happy Friday and congratulations to legendary jazz artist and Philadelphia resident Marshall Allen, who received the Guinness Book of World Records record for the oldest person (at 100 years and 266 days) to release an album of new material! ??