The State of the MSM Endowment

With all of its extraordinary successes over the course of its 100-plus- year history, the only thing holding MSM back from even greater success is its modest endowment. In spite of a reputation as one of the world’s leading conservatories, the institution’s $35-million endowment is, relatively speaking, small.

MSM is on par with or exceeds most of its peer institutions in all other key metrics, including undergraduate admit rates and graduation rates—not to mention the thousands of MSM alumni with enviable records of achievement, as well as the School’s desirable location in New York City, the nation’s performing arts capital. All of the many things that have contributed to MSM’s superb reputation and learning environment over the years have allowed it to compete in the recruitment of immensely talented young musicians.

Among its many strengths, MSM is nimble, forward-looking, and able to execute. The institution has been able to responsibly, creatively, and successfully navigate economic downturns and crises (the pandemic, for example) with fleet- and sure-footed alacrity. That ability to execute vision, to implement at the highest level, to be itself, has long stood MSM in good stead. There is no question, however, that despite its superlative reputation and long history of successes, the size of MSM’s endowment is a rare weakness. The School’s current strong enrollment, for example, comes in spite of its endowment, and the future of the institution would be greatly enhanced if that essential resource could be meaningfully bolstered.

THE GOAL: $30 MILLION

Since the beginning of our second century, starting in FY19 through FY22, MSM has raised more than 40% ($13 million) of our goal for the Second Century Campaign. By fall 2022, MSM’s endowment was approximately $35 million. The Campaign seeks to grow the endowment in the next three years by another $15 million to a total of no less than $50 million, roughly equivalent to MSM’s annual operating budget.

MSM presents nearly 70 master classes each year with renowned performing artists such as mezzosoprano Denyse Graves (top left) and Sébastian Jacot, First Principal Flute in the Gewandhaus Orchestra (bottom left).

“ Manhattan School of Music is a vibrant musical community providing students valuable access to high-caliber faculty with extensive experience and knowledge in all disciplines.”

Anthony Roth Costanzo

MM ’08, H on DMA ’22

Metropolitan Opera Artist

MSM Trustee and Grammy Award-winning countertenor

“ I am tremendously grateful to the opera program at Manhattan School of Music. It rooted me in the confidence for sharing my gifts and performing on a stage of any size. It is very important for a young singer to feel comfortable in finding and expressing themselves, and MSM’s opera program grants that space and opportunity!”

J’NAI BRIDGES

BM ’09

Metropolitan Opera Artist

Two-time Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano

James Gandre, EdD, MSM’s ninth President, is an educator and musician with a deep commitment to students and to the development of American conservatory learning.

“ There really isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about my experiences at Manhattan School of Music. The preparation, performance opportunities, faculty, and fellow students all helped make me the performer I am today! And 30 plus years later, I continue to collaborate and work with fellow MSM alumni—a true lifelong artistic family!”

Shuler Hensley

BM ’90

2002 Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Award Winner, Best Featured Actor in a Musical, Oklahoma!

A Home Away from Home

MSM has achieved an international reputation, not only for the exemplary development of young musicians, but for the warmth and humanity of the School’s learning environment . Its Board of Trustees, faculty, and staff share a deep belief in the transformative power of music and a dedication to supporting and empowering highly talented individuals. Ensuring that no promising musician is deprived of the opportunity to receive this exceptional academic and musical experience due to financial need is one of the institution’s primary aims and, by extension,the primary aim of this endowment campaign.

MSM was one of the first conservatories in the U.S. to acknowledge the prime importance of jazz as an art form. Our programs of study for Jazz Arts majors are designed to develop skilled performers, composers, arrangers, and jazz educators in preparation for careers in jazz music.

“During the early stage of my training, I was extremely fortunate to perform with Ron Carter, which propelled me to work incredibly hard to improve my artistry and technique. While at MSM, I have had wonderful opportunities to perform.”

Erena Terakubo

MM ’23

Jazz Alto Saxophone

MSM Musical Theatre students have multiple performance opportunities each year, including in five fully produced book musicals, a Senior Showcase, and the Lab Series, which offers opportunities to work with musical theatre creators on musicals-in-development. All MSM productions are directed, choreographed and designed by professional, working theatre artists.

Excellence and Innovation

The School’s innovative programs give students the highest levels of training in performance, composition, and conducting, as well as a core curriculum in music theory and history, and the humanities. Undergraduate and graduate students take advantage of pioneering programs such as the Orto Center (Distance Learning), the Center for Career Readiness and Community Impact, the firstof-its-kind graduate degree in Orchestral Performance, and the only Musical Theatre conservatory program of its kind in New York City

The School’s internationally recognized Cultural Inclusion Initiative , launched in 2019, has implemented bold new practices aimed at improving access to and celebrating the work of underrepresented creators and placed diversity, equity, and inclusion as a central pillar of MSM.

The Global Conservatoire

MSM has joined forces with four European partners – the Royal College of Music (London), the Royal Danish Academy of Music (Copenhagen), Conservatorium van Amsterdam, and the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna – to launch the Global Conservatoire, an international digital learning environment that allows students to enroll in asynchronous courses at each of the five partner institutions, cultivating an international exchange of ideas.

“ Every week, my mind was blown. I would have a lesson and I would tweet, ‘Just left my teacher. My mind is oozing out of my ears.’”

CHRISTIAN A. SANDS

BM ’11, MM ’15

Grammy Nominated Jazz Pianist and Composer

“ I chose Manhattan School of Music because the teachers, curriculum, and resources offered are among the very best in the country, if not the world. During my time here, I have grown exponentially as a person and as a musician. I am so excited to see what I can achieve.”

William Chinn

BM ’23

Classical Percussion

“ Manhattan School of Music believed in me and supported my wish to be a double major in piano and composition. I felt welcomed, supported, and learned so much from all of my teachers. MSM helped prepare me for my career in the US and UK.”

JEFFREY SHARKEY

BM ’86

Principal

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

“ Through its excellent teachers and warm atmosphere, the School has taught me many essential skills as a performer and a person.”

KIRILL GERSTEIN

BM ’99, MM ’00, H on DMA ’21

Concert Pianist and Grammynominated Recording Artist Avery Fisher Career Grant

First Prize Winner, 10th Arthur Rubinstein Competition

A Cultural Jewel in New York’s City Crown

MSM is a vibrant cultural hub , offering audiences a critically acclaimed, cross-disciplinary season of 800 classical, jazz, and musical theatre performances brought to thrilling life by our talented students and distinguished alumni and guest artists. Free of charge to our neighbors in Harlem and Morningside Heights, these take place in MSM’s seven performance spaces as well as off-site on some of the city’s leading stages, including Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and Merkin Concert Hall . MSM concerts and performances are livestreamed to music lovers in more than 100 countries across the globe.

“...this is a performance of such refinement, strength and commitment that you stop worrying. The work, beautifully accompanied by all,takes on new, limpid colours.”

–The Observer

“Being at MSM has given me more fulfillment than I ever expected. I have been granted amazing opportunities and made lifelong friends. It’s been an honor to study under Colin Williams of the New York Philharmonic. I’m excited to see how the School will help propel me forward into becoming the musician and human being I want to be.”

JACOB OGBU

BM ’25

Tenor Trombone