Dear Friends,
Thanks to you, 2019 was an exceptional year for Kaufman Music Center. Your support allowed the Center to continue to bring our outstanding programs to more than 70,000 New Yorkers.
As we wrap up the year, I am proud to share some of our favorite moments from 2019. These inspiring performances and events would not have been possible without your support. If you’d like to learn more about how your support made a difference this year, please feel free to read our 2018-19 Impact Report.
With appreciation,
Kate Sheeran
Executive Director
On October 26, Kaufman Music Center Artist-In-Residence Nathalie Joachim was joined onstage by Spektral Quartet as part of the 10th anniversary season of Ecstatic Music. They performed Joachim’s GRAMMY award-winning Fanm d’Ayiti (Women of Haiti) During her residency, Ms. Joahim is mentoring students from Special Music School, Lucy Moses School and Face the Music.
In July, over 100 young New Yorkers participated in the 30th year of
the Summer Musical Theater Workshop. Throughout the month, these motivated students prepared for a
program of original musicals on the theme of Transformations. On July 30 and July 31, Merkin Hall was filled
with energy and enthusiasm as audience and performers alike celebrated a job
well done.
On October 23rd, renowned violinist Joshua Bell joined acclaimed pianist Alessio Bax for their first-ever performance in Merkin Hall – a benefit concert for Special Music School. Mr. Bell, a Kaufman Music Center parent, was joined onstage by three of our outstanding students to perform movements from Bach’s Concerto in D minor for Two Violins.
This year, the Adult Division Jazz program celebrated 25 years at Lucy Moses School. Established and led by jazz guitarist Roni Ben-Hur, the program is designed for singers and instrumentalists of all backgrounds and skill levels. Each year, over 70 musicians participate in workshops, ensembles, and private lessons with faculty members who are some of the top jazz musicians in New York City.
On March 10th, we held our annual Contemporary Music Festival. At this special event, soloists and
ensembles from Kaufman Music Center's Lucy Moses School and Special Music
School performed works composed after 1970.
On June 3, the Center hosted its annual Gala benefiting music education for more than 370 guests. The evening honored Cathy White O’Rourke, President of the Board of Trustees, and the Morris & Alma Schapiro Fund. The Gala featured a performance by GRAMMY and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, vocalist, violinist, and producer Caroline Shaw, who appeared alongside the Attacca Quartet and the Special Music School High School Men’s Choir.
In May, five Luna Composition Lab Fellows had pieces premiered at Merkin Hall - a culmination of the program that provides mentorship and performance opportunities to young composers who are female-identifying, non-binary or gender non-conforming. This year, new works were performed by students in our Face the Music and SMS High School ensembles, as well as pre-college students from Juilliard, Manhattan School of Music, and Mannes School of Music. During the 2018-19 year, this program served young composers from Los Angeles, to Oklahoma, to Queens.
On February 11th, our youth new music program Face the Music performed at National Sawdust with performance artist and vocalist Helga Davis. The evening featured largely improvisation-based works by black female composers.
This year, Special Music School was featured at Adobe’s groundbreaking 99U conference. Kaufman Music Center Trustee Joel Beckerman was invited to give the keynote speech. Mr. Beckerman invited the Special Music School High School Choir - joined by SMS 5th grader and male soprano Eliot Flowers - to perform a piece which he composed for the occasion. These students had the opportunity to sing onstage at Alice Tully Hall in front of designers from around the world.
On February 10, our Lucy Moses School community came together to raise money for scholarships for students in need. Performances included Young People's Division and Adult Division students, and lots of family members, faculty, and staff. More than 90 students ages 4 to 74 participated for a marathon day of performances, which raised over $47,000.
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