2017 Grantees
The Musical Fund Society granted $50,000 to 13 organizations for projects in the 2016–17 season.
| Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra | Support for the preparation and performance of third Citywide Side by Side event, with auditioned amateurs rehearsing and performing alongside members of Black Pearl and featuring as soloist the winner of PHL Live’s classical competition. | $3,515 |
| Bowerbird | Support for “That Which Is Fundamental,” a four-concert festival exploring the life and work of Julius Eastman (1940–90), including several works not performed since the 1970s, the commission of new works responding to Eastman’s creative output, and supporting activities. | $4,515 |
| The Crossing | Support for the commissioning of Philadelphia-based composer Joshua Stamper's multi-disciplinary, site-specific work ’mid the steep sky’s commotion. | $3,815 |
| Curtis Institute of Music | Support for the 2016–17 composer-in- residence program, with Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho in residence. The culmination of the residency is a public concert of her works as part of Curtis’s free Student Recital Series. | $4,665 |
| Dolce Suono Ensemble | Support for “American Canvas,” a recording project encompassing three works commissioned by Dolce Suono from Andrea Clearfield, Jennifer Higdon, and Shulamit Ran. The resulting CD, released by Innova Recordings, is to be launched at an interactive concert event. | $4,315 |
| Lyric Fest | Support for two performances of “It’s Elementary—Songs of Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water,” featuring songs commissioned from Michael Djupstrom and John Musto. Additional repertoire, also based on the “Elements” theme, will include works from a variety of cultures and song traditions, from Handel to Lerner and Loewe. | $3,715 |
| Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia | Support for the performance of Honegger’s King David, featuring dramatic interaction, dance, and theatrical lighting to focus the audience’s attention and bring out important musical nuances. | $3,415 |
| Network for New Music | Support for a program involving the creation of new poetry by MacArther Award-winning poet Susan Stewart, and new chamber music by five emerging and established American composers. The project features two concert performances, pre- and post-concert events, and an integrated educational component with Masterman High School music students. | $4,585 |
| Piffaro | Support for a concert by Piffaro and the Choral Arts Philadelphia, celebrating the holiday season with a program of villancicos, motets, and dances from Central and South America. The concert is part of a larger season-long theme featuring Renaissance music from Spain and the New World. | $4,415 |
| PRISM Quartet | Support for three recordings on the XAS label: “Animal, Vegetable, Mineral,” featuring five saxophone quartets commissioned by PRISM; “The Book of Days,” a work for saxophone quartet and jazz piano by Uri Caine; and “Ba Yin” a work by Chen Yi for saxophone quartet and wind ensemble. | $3,915 |
| Tempesta di Mare | Support for a program of chamber music from the collections of the Itzig sisters, whose lifelong interest in the music of Bach influenced Mozart and contributed directly to the Bach revival in the 19th century. | $4,215 |
| Temple University Music Preparatory Division | Support for the Festival of Young Musicians, celebrating the 30th anniversary for the Center for Gifted Young Musicians, which serves 120 exceptionally motivated and dedicated students. | $3,915 |
| Tri-County Concerts Association | Support for the 75th Annual Youth Festival, a music education and performance program for aspiring young musicians living in Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties in Southeastern Pennsylvania. | $1,000 |