Message from the Board Chair and President

Dear Friend,

It is with tremendous pride that we lead Manhattan School of Music, one of the great conservatories in the world, into its second century.

Over the past decade, the School has experienced remarkable growth. Our historic campus has been transformed with nearly $40 million of important capital improvements, most notably a magnificent Centennial-year renovation of our principal performance space and crown jewel, Neidorff-Karpati Hall. The School’s curriculum has been thoughtfully and strategically expanded, including the launch of a Bachelor of Music degree program in Musical Theatre, the only conservatory-based program of its kind in New York City, and the Global Conservatoire, a new digital partnership with four prestigious European conservatories.

All of these accomplishments were made possible through the generosity of donors who share our belief in the transformative power of music and helped as well through prudent fiscal management that has kept MSM financially strong, with no additional debt.

“Manhattan School of Music provides a nurturing atmosphere where the budding artist can discover and nurture his/her/their true directions and strengths.”

SUSAN GRAHAM

MM ’87, H on DMA ’08

Metropolitan Opera Artist Grammy Award winning soprano

With our supremely gifted students, our well-deserved reputation for providing a supportive and nurturing learning environment, a superb faculty of teaching artists, and a remarkably distinguished community of alumni – MacArthur, Guggenheim, and Avery Fisher Fellows and Grammy, Tony, and Pulitzer Prize winners among them – MSM is internationally recognized for excellence in music education.

Yet despite these and other significant accomplishments, MSM has a relatively modest endowment of $35 million; boosting that important fund has increasingly become an institutional imperative. Having a small endowment hinders the School, especially in recruiting and retaining talented students. By growing the endowment, MSM will be able to offer more competitive scholarships in a crowded enrollment landscape. Very importantly, offering greater scholarship support will enable MSM musicians – already working at the highest levels worldwide – to realize even greater accomplishments. MSM’s awardwinning alumni have already achieved worldwide prominence in orchestras, chamber ensembles, and as soloists; on the world’s great opera stages; on Broadway and in the world’s premiere jazz venues; as professors and arts leaders, but imagine what our future graduates can achieve with increased support. Finally, additional scholarship support will allow students to pursue their careers without the burden of large student loan debt.

“My education at Manhattan School of Music was the most important stepping stone on the path to achieving my dream of becoming a professional orchestral musician. I’m deeply grateful for the first-rate artistic education I received at the School and continue to be heartened by the flourishing community of current students and alumni!”

I-JUNG

PS ’20

HUANG

Violinist, New York Philharmonic

MSM’s full commitment to our students informs our decision to launch the Second Century Campaign with a singular focus on increasing the strength of our endowment. We hope that you will consider a campaign gift in order to ensure a brighter future for an extraordinary institution, one that has marshaled the talents and shaped the lives of accomplished and passionate musicians across the globe for more than a century. This brochure provides further details on this new campaign, but we – and our Endowment Committee co-chairs – would be delighted to engage with you individually.

We hope that you share our excitement for bolstering this institutional beacon of music education as it continues to grow and evolve, so that Manhattan School of Music may continue to provide the highest levels of training to gifted young musicians for generations to come.

Sincerely,

Lorraine Gallard

James Gandre Chair President

Nurturing Excellence

Over the course of its superlative 105-year history, Manhattan School of Music (MSM) has grown to become one of the world’s premier music conservatories and a vibrant cultural resource for New York City. This is a school internationally recognized for its innovative curricula; a world-renowned artistteacher faculty, including musicians from the New York Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera, and the top ranks of the jazz and Broadway communities; as well as accomplished, award-winning alumni who are working at the highest levels of the musical, educational, cultural, and professional worlds.

Indeed, MSM graduates have earned Grammy, Tony, Oscar, Avery Fisher, and Emmy awards (Precollege alumnus Robert Lopez has won all four…twice); MacArthur and Guggenheim fellowships ; the Pulitzer Prize; Naumburg, George London, Young Concert Artists, and Met Opera Laffont competitions; NEA Jazz Master status, as well as a White House appointment in economics. They have forged successful careers of impressive scope and renown, and for all of them, MSM was foundational.

Manhattan School of Music is certainly not alone in having successful alumni, distinguished faculty, and talented students (though few institutions our size can match the depth of artistry); it has, however, one more fundamental aspect not often found in such a competitive environment. MSM is renowned in the conservatory world for its supportive and profoundly nurturing learning environment.

“MSM prepared me for my Broadway debut by providing real-world experiences, dazzling productions, and access to world-class teachers working in the field. Building relationships with my now mentors and friends was the most valuable part of my time at the School.”

Alysia Velez

BM ’22

Musical Theatre

Into the Woods Broadway Cast Member Featured in the production’s 2023 Grammy Award-winning recording (“Best Musical Theatre Album”)

Students at the School have abundant performance opportunities. They put their newfound skills into practice alongside talented, creative peers who share their passion for music.

“ MSM was so open to my professional development that by my last semester I was already leading a professional organization and being represented by management. I couldn’t have had a better path and a better space to develop. I have great memories of every one of my teachers. I can’t stress enough how much I love this institution.”

Alondra De La Parra

BM ’06, MM ’08

Principal Guest Conductor, Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano

“ Manhattan School of Music has not only opened up so many possibilities for my career, but also shaped me as a person by connecting me with wonderful mentors and lifetime friends.”

Manhattan School of Music students thrive in a supportive atmosphere that encourages excellence, values individuals, and welcomes innovation and live in a vibrant cross-cultural community that fosters life-long friendships and professional relationships.

The palpable warmth of MSM’s culture is prized by current students and faculty and remembered fondly by alumni. This from MSM alumnus, multiple Tony Award-winner Rupert Holmes (’67): “My professors made me believe in myself where I was full of uncertainty; they encouraged and enabled me to be my creative best… I owe our beloved school everything.” And from Grammy-nominated concert pianist Kirill Gerstein (BM ’99, MM ’01): “Through its excellent teachers and warm atmosphere, the School taught me many essential skills as a performer and as a person.” Recent Musical Theatre graduate Bailey Pierce (BM ’23) observes: “There is a certain camaraderie here that I found was lacking in many other schools where I applied. At MSM, everyone is celebrated for being their truest selves, and there is a feeling of family among my peers that I wouldn’t change for a thing.”

“Gaining leadership opportunities in student organizations like student government, the Black Student Union, QueerPBS, and Womxn was an important part of my MSM experience.”

CHIRA BELL

BM ’22 Classical Voice

In the 2022–23 academic year celebrateed a seven-year stretch of stable enrollment — the most robust of its history — with 1,000 superbly talented undergraduate and graduate students from more than 50 countries and nearly every U.S. state. This cohort benefits not only from the School’s cuttingedge programming, but from the nearly $40 million that the School has invested over the past decade in capital improvements to an architecturally distinguished and historically rich campus.

With its supremely accomplished students, faculty, and alumni, MSM has maintained its front-rank standard of artistic and pedagogic excellence. While a boxing metaphor is perhaps not the most genteel evocation of a musical institution celebrated for its nurturing learning environment, on a very basic level, it is undeniable: for more than a century, the School has punched well above its weight class, indeed at the very highest levels.

“ The fabulous facilities, supportive faculty, excellent location, and performance opportunities led me to choose Manhattan School of Music. I am always working on something exciting, rehearsing for a choreography showcase, seeing my teachers perform on Broadway, or singing a new piece with my exceptional peers.”

Meaghan Sheridan

BM ’24 Musical Theatre

The cultural enrichment of the larger community is central to the School’s mission. Each season, talented MSM students bring classical, jazz, and musical theatre works to thrilling life in 800 free and low-cost concerts and performances.