MSM History

2010

At the May commencement ceremonies, honorary doctorates are awarded to Anton Coppola (Class of 1964/1965) and Angela Lansbury. The President’s Medals for Distinguished Faculty Service are given to Arkady Aronov and Orin O’Brien.

The MSM Symphonic Chorus and Chamber Choir, prepared by Kent Tritle, appear with the New York Philharmonic at Lincoln Center in September, performing William Walton’s Henry V: A Shakespeare Scenario with Alan Gilbert conducting.

MSM Opera Theatre production of Summer and Smoke. 

The Opera Theatre mounts a production of Lee Hoiby’s Summer and Smoke in the fall directed by Dona D. Vaughn. Anthony Tommasini of the New York Times writes: “The conductor Steven Osgood drew supple, beautifully restrained playing from the able musicians… this excellent cast fit comfortably into its roles.”

A series of annual alumni reunions is continued with an October event. Distinguished Alumni Awards are given to Roy Eaton ’52, James Petercsak ’68, Judy Blazer ’77, Sebastian Currier ’83, and Olivera Medenica ’96.

Other Highlights of New York City Musical History:

• Jazz pianist and composer Jason Moran (MSM alumnus) is awarded a MacArthur Fellowship, the so-called “Genius Award.”
• Anna Clyne (MSM alumna) is appointed Composer-in-Residence for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra by Music Director Riccardo Muti.
• Elliot Carter’s Flute Concerto is given its world premiere.
• Intakt Records releases Celebrating Mary Lou Williams – Live At Birdland.

2011

Dr. David Noon (pictured above) retires after 30 years of teaching at MSM.

The Opera Theatre mounts a double bill production of Manuel de Falla’s El amor brujo and La vida breve in the spring.

At the May commencement ceremonies, honorary doctorates are awarded to Trustee William R. Miller and soprano Jessye Norman. The President’s Medals for Distinguished Faculty Service are given to Mignon Dunn and Nils Vigeland.

The Opera Theatre mounts a production of Mozart’s Così fan tutte in the fall.

The MSM Chamber Sinfonia travels to Nice, France, for a series of concerts conducted by Philippe Entremont.

A series of annual alumni reunions is continued with an October event. Distinguished Alumni Awards are given to Johanna Meier ’60, Carol Wincenc ’71, John Musto ’80, Jason Moran ’97.

Other Highlights of New York City Musical History:

• Jason Moran (MSM alumnus) is named artistic adviser for jazz by the Kennedy Center, a position that is upgraded to artistic director for jazz three years later.
• Time Machines 2 by Sebastien Currier (MSM alumnus) is given its world premiere on June 2 by the New York Philharmonic, Anne-Sophie Mutter violin soloist.
• One Sweet Morning by John Corigliano (MSM alumnus and former faculty) is given its world premiere on September 30 by the New York Philharmonic.
• Michael Daugherty (MSM alumnus) wins a Grammy Award for Best Classical Contemporary Composition for his Deus ex Machina.

2012

MSM Opera Theatre production of The Ghosts of Versailles.

The Opera Theatre mounts a production of John Corigliano’s
The Ghosts of Versailles in the spring, directed by Jay Lesinger.  Anthony Tommasini of the New York Times wrote: “… a gifted cast of young, inspired singers threw themselves into the work… Singling out cast members is almost unfair, since the opera is such an ensemble piece and the students were so uniformly good. ”

At the May commencement ceremonies, honorary doctorates are awarded to Alec Baldwin and Lang Lang. President’s Medals for Distinguished Faculty Service are given to Linda Chesis and John Pagano.

The Opera Theatre mounts a production of Massenet’s Thaïs  in the fall.

The Jazz Arts Program begins a one-year celebration of 30 years of Jazz at MSM.

President Robert Sirota announces his retirement.

Yusef Lateef ’70, Jesse Rosen ’75, Lauren Flanigan ’84, and Alexandre Moutouzkine ’05 receive Distinguished Alumni Awards.

Other Highlights of New York City Musical History:

• Nico Muhly’s composition Drones is given its world premiere.

2013

The MSM Symphonic Chorus performs Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 in C Minor (“Resurrection”) — in a World Premiere transcription for organ, chorus, and soloists by David Briggs — at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in April with Kent Tritle conducting.

James Gandre

Dr. James Gandre, an educator and musician with a deep commitment to students and the development of American conservatory learning, assumes the presidency on May 6. He had served the School for fifteen years from 1985–2000, leaving as Dean of Enrollment and Alumni, and had most recently held top positions at Roosevelt University in Chicago.

Honorary doctorates are awarded to Leonard Slatkin, Menahem Pressler, Dave Grusin ’59, and Larry Rosen ’61. President’s Medals for Distinguished Faculty Service are given to David Geber and David Gilbert.

Bob McGrath ’59, Cynthia Boxrud ’78, and Kirill Gerstein ’00 receive Distinguished Alumni Awards.

MSM Opera Theatre production of The Mother of Us All.

The Opera Theatre mounts a production of Virgil Thomson’s The Mother of Us All, with a libretto by Gertrude Stein, in December. Zachary Woolfe of the New York Times wrote: “the Manhattan School’s loving revival … will move, perplex and stimulate you — usually all at once.”

Other Highlights of New York City Musical History:

• A Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording is given for Wagner: Der Ring Des Nibelungen by the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus, with soloists conducted by James Levine and Fabio Luisi.
• Philip Glass’s opera The Perfect American is given its world premiere.

2014

In April, the MSM Symphony makes its Carnegie Hall debut on the main stage. The sold-out concert is conducted by Leonard Slatkin with Glenn Dicterow, MSM faculty member and Concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic, as violin soloist.

At Commencement, honorary doctorates are awarded to Joan Taub Ades, Shuler Hensley (alumnus), Peter Robbins, and Matthew VanBesien. President’s Medals for Distinguished Service are given to Hilda Harris and Chris Rosenberg.

Distinguished Alumni Awards are given to Joseph Joubert ’81, Margaret Juntwait ’80, David Handler ’04, and Justin Kantor ’02.

The MSM Symphonic Chorus and Chamber Choir, prepared by Kent Tritle, appear with the New York Philharmonic at Lincoln Center in November, performing the complete score to Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé with Vladimir Jurowski conducting.

Other Highlights of New York City Musical History:

• Dawn Upshaw (MSM alumna) wins a Grammy Award for Best Classical Vocal Solo for Winter Morning Walks, a song cycle by Maria Schneider.

2015

The MSM Symphony and Symphonic Chorus perform Verdi’s Requiem at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in March with Kent Tritle conducting.

At Commencement, honorary doctorates are awarded to Yefim Bronfman, Howard Herring, Bebe Neuwirth, and Limor Tomer. President’s Medals for Distinguished Service are given to Ted Rosenthal and Dona D. Vaughn.

An undergraduate program in musical theater is announced in May, to begin in 2016. It will be the only stand-alone conservatory degree program of its kind in New York City.

Distinguished Alumni Awards are given to Angelo Badalamenti ’59, Stefon Harris ’97, and Pablo Sainz Villegas ’07.

Other Highlights of New York City Musical History:

• The New York Philharmonic announces that David Geffen is to donate $100 million to the orchestra for the renovation of Avery Fisher Hall, with the proviso that the hall be renamed “David Geffen Hall” and bear the new name in perpetuity.
• The Ames Stradivarius violin, stolen from Roman Totenberg in 1980, is returned to Totenberg’s family in New York City.
• The first Metropolitan Opera performance of John Adams’ The Death of Klinghoffer is given, following protests in the months prior to its production.

2016

The MSM Chamber Choir, prepared by Ronnie Oliver, and Chamber Orchestra perform Gluck’s Oreo ed Euridice at Brooklyn’s National Sawdust in March.

The MSM Symphonic Chorus performs Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 in E-flat Major (“Symphony of a Thousand”) — in a World Premiere transcription for organ, chorus, and soloists by David Briggs — at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in April with Kent Tritle conducting.

At Commencement, honorary doctorates are awarded to Kelly Hall-Tompkins (alumna), F. Paul Driscoll, and Eric Owens. President’s Medals for Distinguished Service are given to Patinka Kopec, Christianne Orto, and Kent Tritle.

Michael and Noémi  Neidorff

Borden Auditorium is renamed Neidorff-Karpati Hall, in honor of alumna and Board of Trustees member Noémi Karpati Neidorff and her husband, Michael. Renovation begins in 2017, to be completed as part of the School’s Centennial.

Distinguished Alumni Awards are given to Larry Hochman ’75, Hyung-Ki Joo ’99, and Kimberly Thompson ’03.

Other Highlights of New York City Musical History:

• The New York Philharmonic gives the world premiere of Wynton Marsalis’s The Jungle (Symphony No. 4) on December 28, a work it commissioned.
• Yannick Nézet-Séguin, 41, succeeds James Levine as the Metropolitan Opera’s music director.
• The New York Philharmonic announces the appointment of Jaap van Zweden as its next music director.
• NYCO Renaissance, the successor organization to New York City Opera, gives its first performance, of Puccini’s Tosca.
• The Metropolitan Opera gives its first performance of L’Amour de loin by Kaija Saariaho, the first opera by a female composer to be staged at the Metropolitan Opera since 1903, and the second opera by a female composer ever to be presented in the history of the company.
• Steve Turre (MSM alumnus and faculty) is featured on the cover of DownBeat magazine’s October issue and given an in-depth, multi-page feature.

2017

The MSM Symphony, Symphonic Chorus, and Chamber Choir perform Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in April, Kent Tritle conducting.

At Commencement, honorary doctorates are awarded to Terence Blanchard, Richard Gaddes, and Noémi Karpati Neidorff (alumna), and Michael F. Neidorff. President’s Medals for Distinguished Service are given to Carol Ann Aicher, John Hagan, and Joan Patenaude-Yarnell.

Stefon Harris (MSM alumnus) is appointed Associate Dean and Director of the Jazz Arts program.

The Centennial Project is announced. Renovations begin on Neidorff-Karpati Hall (formerly Borden Auditorium) as well as the Claremont entrance and lobby.

Distinguished Alumni Awards are given to Adolphus Hailstork ’66, Susan Quittmeyer ’78, Steve Turre ’88, and David Wolfsohn ’84.

Other Highlights of New York City Musical History:

• The inaugural Elmar Oliveira (MSM alumnus) International Violin Competition announces its inaugural first-prize winner, Sirena Huang.
• The New York Philharmonic announces the appointment of Deborah Borda as its next president and chief executive officer.
• The Orchestra of St. Luke’s announces the appointment of Bernard Labadie as its next principal conductor.
• Michael Daugherty (MSM alumnus) wins a Grammy Award for Best Classical Contemporary Composition for his Tales of Hemingway.

2018

The MSM Chamber Orchestra and Chamber Choir perform Carissimi’s oratorio Jephte at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in February, Kent Tritle conducting.

The MSM Chamber Choir, conducted by Ronnie Oliver, performs at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall in March.

At Commencement, honorary doctorates are awarded to Plácido Domingo, Paquito Rivera, Bernard Labadie, Robert McDonald (DMA ’90), and Luis Perez. President’s Medals for Distinguished Service are given to Phillip Kawin, Amy Anderson, and Lisa Yui.

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