New England Conservatory Raises $1 Million At Gala

New England Conservatory (NEC), an institution built on 150 years of innovation, hosted NEC150, a celebration to support NEC's future musicians, at Jordan Hall and the Student Life and Performance Center on April 28, 2018. The event was co-chaired by Trustees Deborah Bennett Elfers '82, Barbara W. Glauber, and Frances B. Wilmerding.

More than 650 people attended NEC150 and raised more than $1,000,000.00 with contributions still being received; this memorable occasion joins the ranks of nonprofit fundraisers that have broken the million-dollar mark. Money raised at the event provides current use scholarships for over 2,000 preparatory and college students at NEC. The Conservatory is committed to supporting the world's best young musicians with scholarships and, in fact, each year more than 90 percent of NEC's college students receive an award. The outcome is that this allows them to pursue their journeys to discover the power of musical expression and to develop an innovative spirit by expanding the boundaries of making music.

"We want to thank everyone that attended and performed at NEC150 and generously helped New England Conservatory celebrate our sesquicentennial," said Kennett F. Burnes, chair of the board of trustees of New England Conservatory. "The money raised at this event ensures that the Conservatory remains a diverse and dynamic community, committed to the highest level of artistic excellence."

The evening commenced in Jordan Hall, a national historic landmark, with cocktails and a specially curated concert featuring celebrated alumni, faculty and student performances including Jacquelyn Stucker '17 DMA, soprano, Ning An '99, '01 GD, '03 AD, '04 MM, piano, Sean Callery '88, composer, Dominique Eade '82, '89 AD, jazz voice and NEC Faculty, Stefan Jackiw '04 prep, '06 AD, violin, Ran Blake, piano, NEC Faculty and Vivian Weilerstein, piano and NEC Faculty. In addition, more than 170 NEC college and preparatory students performed in Wind Ensemble, Philharmonia, Concert Choir and Chamber Singers.

Guests, new and longtime NEC supporters, then moved to the Student Life & Performance Center to continue the celebration and enjoy dinner, music, sweets and cocktails in NEC's hub for performance, practice, and residential life, open to the public as part of the Conservatory's commitment to sharing music with the Boston community. Attendees were treated to a sensational and broad range of musical interludes to cap off the evening by the Borromeo String Quartet, Morse Quartet, Opera Scenes by NEC graduate students, an NEC Jazz Quintet, and duets and a solo by the Contemporary Improvisation Department.

For more information, visit http://www.necmusic.edu

About New England Conservatory

Celebrating its 150th anniversary, New England Conservatory (NEC) is recognized internationally as a leader among music schools, educating and training musicians of all ages from around the world. With music students representing more than 40 countries, NEC cultivates a diverse, dynamic community for students, providing them with performance opportunities and high-caliber training by 225 internationally-esteemed artist-teachers and scholars. NEC pushes the boundaries of making and teaching music through college-level musical training in classical, jazz and Contemporary Improvisation. It offers unique interdisciplinary programs such as Entrepreneurial Musicianship and Community Performances & Partnerships that empower students to create their own musical opportunities. As part of NEC's mission to make lifelong music education available to everyone, the Preparatory School and School of Continuing Education delivers training and performance opportunities for children, pre-college students and adults.

Founded in Boston, Massachusetts in 1867 by Eben Tourjée, NEC created a new model of conservatory that combined the best of European tradition with American innovation. NEC is at the center of Boston's rich cultural history and musical life offering concerts performed in NEC's renowned venue Jordan Hall. Alumni go on to fill orchestra chairs, concert hall stages, jazz clubs, recording studios and arts management positions worldwide. necmusic.edu

Photo Credit: Eric Antoniou