SPECIAL FUNDS
SCHOLARSHIP
The Perlman Music Program awards approximately $200,000 each year in need-based scholarships to students and alumni. This financial aid is generated in large part by PMP's annual fundraising. Five named scholarships support our efforts, and guarantee that no student will ever be turned away for lack of funds.
These vital funds have made so many dreams come true, and continue to support the future leaders of classical music. We are deeply grateful for the leadership and vision of our generous scholarship donors.
To learn more about establishing or contributing to a scholarship fund, call us at (212) 877-5045.
Scholarship Funds +
ACKMAN SCHOLARSHIP
Founded By: The Estate of Frances Ackman
Established: 2003
Purpose: Annual assistance for an Israeli student to attend any PMP program
FISHER DETROIT SCHOLARSHIP
Founded By: Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation
Established: 2007
Purpose: Assistance for students and alumni from Detroit, the Detroit metro area, or winners of the Detroit-based Sphinx Organization to attend any PMP program
Special thanks to Dr. Marjorie Furman and her family's inspiring leadership and unique vision on behalf of classical music's bright future.
MERCEDES OLARTE STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP
Founded By: Lisa de Lima
Established: 2008
Purpose: A living memorial to Mercedes Olarte, this fund provides annual assistance to a young cellist enrolled in The PMP Summer Music School.
NATHANIEL G. LEVINE SCHOLARSHIP
Founded By: Susan and Philip Bernard Dusenberry
Established: 2008
Purpose: Annual assistance for students and alumni to attend any PMP program
Special thanks to the late Phil Dusenberry, who made a significant bequest in honor of Mr. Nathaniel George Levine, his choral director at Midwood High School in Brooklyn, New York.
SPHINX SCHOLARSHIP
Founded By: The Perlman Music Program in partnership with the Sphinx Organization
Purpose: Full scholarship assistance for Sphinx Competition winners enrolled in the Summer Music School
ENDOWMENT
Endowment fund gifts create a lasting legacy of support by providing a source of income in perpetuity. A robust endowment enables PMP leadership to sustain the highest level of artistic excellence, prepare for unforeseen opportunities and challenges, and plan for the future.
To learn more about making an endowment gift, call us at (212) 877-5045.
CAPITAL PROJECTS
THE SHELTER ISLAND CAMPUS
In 2000, a visionary group of individuals—David Geffen, Jo Carole and Ronald S. Lauder, Kate Capshaw and Steven Spielberg, and Alberto Vilar—provided the funds to secure our 28-acre campus on Shelter Island. Their inspiring generosity made an indelible impact for PMP, our students and alumni, and our beloved Shelter Island community.
The Shelter Island campus originated in 1922 as a summer camp for children, and was reimagined in the 1960s as Peconic Lodge. Most of the original structures are still in use today. Careful and sustainable maintenance of the campus buildings, infrastructure, and grounds has taken on increasing importance over the years.
In 2006, Sidney and Morgan Stark inaugurated a program of campus-wide capital improvements with extensive renovations for our faculty cabins.
A vital Wellness Center was constructed in 2007, with generous underwriting support from Friedrike Merck.
In 2009, the Cumming Stires-Stark Practice Facility was established, with investments from Annette and Ian Cumming and Sidney and Morgan Stark.
THE CLARK ARTS CENTER
In 2012, PMP’s most ambitious capital project to date was completed with the opening of The Kristy and James H. Clark Arts Center. This modernized facility was built on the footprint of a previous building, and designed to blend in seamlessly with our historic campus.
The Clark Arts Center provides comfortable living quarters, soundproof practice spaces, teaching studios, and a 200-seat recital hall ideal for chamber music concerts and recitals. As the only weatherized and insulated building on campus, the Clark Arts Center provides an enjoyable space for year-round programming on Shelter Island, for the benefit of our students, alumni and community.
Clark Arts Center Donors +
$1,000,000+
Kristy and James H. Clark
$100,000 - $125,000
Cowen Group, Inc.
Annette and Ian Cumming
Jay S. Dweck
Dr. Marjorie and Roy Furman
Janice B. Gerton and the Arts and Letters Foundation, Inc.
Hermione Foundation, Laura Sloate, Trustee
Toby and Itzhak Perlman
Sidney and Morgan Stark and the Stires-Stark Family Foundation
$50,000 - $75,000
Donna and James Barksdale
Christine and Randall Blank
Howard Gottlieb
The Leonard and Evelyn Lauder Foundation
Mrs. Francis Lloyd
STARK RECITAL HALL
“Morgan’s passion and generosity to The Perlman Music Program had no limits. He gave us his best, he inspired us all.”
As our beloved Board President (2009-15), Morgan B. Stark made it his mission to lead the charge on vital capital projects for PMP. He was especially passionate about the tremendous potential for a new performance hall to elevate the camp experience. He was right. Housing everything from alumni recitals to chamber music concerts, chorus rehearsals, and social gatherings, it has become the heart of our campus. In 2015, we paid tribute to a remarkable man and officially named the Stark Recital Hall.
STIRES-STARK ALUMNI FUND
“It has been a great joy watching the students become passionate performers and the best possible people they can be. I want all the audiences who’ve watched them grow to enjoy them as mature musicians, and support them on their path towards careers that enrich us all. That’s why it’s important for PMP alumni to come back to perform on Shelter Island.”
Sidney S. Stark, a longtime champion of PMP, instinctively recognized the importance of supporting alumni, particularly in the crucial post-graduate years when artists are striving and building their careers.
In 2017, Sidney established a fund to underwrite artist fees and expand alumni initiatives. These funds support and highlight the artistry of our graduates, many of whom are professional musicians, leading orchestras and chamber ensembles, developing nonprofit organizations, and becoming distinguished educators themselves.
As a result of Sidney’s leadership and generosity, the Stires-Stark Alumni Recital Series was born. Throughout the year, we invite alumni to return to their Island roots to present recitals in the Stark Recital Hall on campus. This series provides a professional performance opportunity, brings world-class talent back to our Shelter Island community, and is often paired with community engagement for young audiences.
To learn more about contributing to this fund, call us at (212) 877-5045.
PRESIDENT’S DISCRETIONARY FUND
“When I was 15, I recognized with sadness that I couldn’t sing, dance, or play the viola, but I realized with joy that I could be a good audience. When I turned 75, I decided that I wanted more joy and less things in my life, and that music was the way to create it and share it by helping young musicians.”
Established in 2015 by Sylvie and Robert Fitzpatrick, this fund was inspired by Bob’s experience as a leader in arts education. Well acquainted with the ever-shifting needs of a nonprofit, Bob imagined a fund that would support Toby’s dream in new and exciting ways.
In 2019, with the support of her discretionary fund, Toby added a new component to the Summer Music School curriculum. By establishing the Physical Awareness Program, she found the perfect match for Bob and Sylvie’s extraordinary generosity that would have a lasting influence on our students at camp and beyond.
To learn more about contributing to this fund, call us at (212) 877-5045.