Thanks to you, our community of music lovers and supporters, 2018 was a banner year for Kaufman Music Center. Your conributions help us continue to be a leading force in music education and presentation. Your generosity made it possible for 4,000 students and 50,000 audience members to have music in their lives, and we are deeply grateful.
As 2018 winds to a close, we're proud to share some of Kaufman Music Center's most memorable moments as curated by our Board of Trustees Chairman Rosalind Devon. Over the past 12 months, we've celebrated major milestones -- things that would not have been possible without you. View our 2017-18 impact report to learn more about how your support helped to make a difference.
1. Celebrating our Year of Thanks
In celebration of the retirement of our beloved Executive Director Emerita, Lydia Kontos, our donors poured out their support and committed over $750,000 for the Celebration of our Muse Campaign. Thank you! We were honored that representatives from many elected NYC offices paid tribute to Lydia's 40 years of service, including Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer!
2. Kate Sheeran became Executive Director.
In August, we welcomed a new Executive Director to lead us into the future. Kate brings with her a wealth of experience and ideas for the years to come.
3. Special Music School's senior class achieved a 100% college acceptance rate!
All students who applied to college from SMS were granted admission. This fall, our amazing graduates headed to some of the most prestigious music schools in the world, including Juilliard and Columbia University. Music education at SMS is underwritten by donors like you. Learn how you can help support SMS.
4. A "Clunker" of a concert!
Our youth new music program, Face the Music, performed a new composition in March, Sean Friar's Clunker Concerto. This groundbreaking piece featured a percussion section of car parts in collaboration with String Vectors. Amazing!
5. Celebrating music education at our annual Gala!
In May, our talented students from Special Music School got to perform with outstanding guest artists, including flutists Sir James and Lady Jeanne Galway and the acclaimed soprano Ailyn Pérez. Generous donors came together again to raise a record-breaking $1 million for music education.
6. We struck a funny bone with Broadway Close Up
"Whatever It Is, I'm Against It - 100 Years of Funny Jewish Songs" brought the house down on December 10 this year with hilarious renditions of comedic musical theater songs. This concert culminated another sold-out Broadway Close Up season!
7. One-of-a-kind collaborations with Ecstatic Music Festival
Xenia Rubinos and Adam Schatz's Civil Engineering came together in January for a truly unique concert experience, just one of more than 200 concerts presented in Merkin Hall. Check out our upcoming schedule!
8. Broadway Playhouse continued reaching kids across NYC.
In January through March, we distributed 1,620 tickets to students from Title I schools for our beloved Broadway Playhouse series, thanks to donors like you. Click here to provide music for these schoolchildren.
9. Lucy Moses School created magic
One of Lucy Moses School's flute students, Juliana L., age 9, said this about her studies: "Playing the flute has taught me that when I close my eyes and begin to play, I can be magical." LMS serves thousands of students of all ages. Curious to take a music lesson? Visit our webiste for a full list of course offerings.
10. Luna Lab and Face the Music at Roulette
In June, we heard pieces by our Luna Lab fellows brought to life when Face the Music performed them at Brooklyn's Roulette.
As we enter 2019, we hope that you'll help us continue giving the gift of music this holiday season by donating to Kaufman Music Center!
