Promoting Contemporary Music, Supporting Musicians

The Argosy Contemporary Music Fund

TPI helped the Argosy Foundation to develop and implement the Argosy Contemporary Music Fund 5 years ago and today it continues to promote the proliferation and awareness of classical music that has been composed within the past 20 years.
   
Organizations and schools are invited to apply for a grant of between $1,000 and $25,000 to support the commissioning of new works, performances or recordings, and training of musicians.  Recently the Argosy Foundation added a new category to support the broadcasting of contemporary music on radio and television.  Funds can be used for any expenses related to the project, with the exception of fundraising.  Argosy seeks to leverage the impact of these grant funds by improving artistic quality, reaching new audiences, encouraging other funders, and supporting the continuous improvement of groups who are performing, recording and broadcasting contemporary music.

The response to the fund has been quite positive. Professional ensembles are grateful to receive funding to create high quality musical experiences for the current and expanding contemporary music audience.  The Argosy Foundation continues to look for ways to advance the field, audience and quality of the music and also seeks to promote collaboration and sharing among the groups.

Prizewinning composer and concert pianist Donald Berman, who is also Artistic Director for the American Academy in Rome Concert series, was a proud recipient of a $3000 Argosy grant in support of the post-production costs for volumes 1 and 2 of the 4 disc CD set, Americans in Rome.  "By now all the groups/record labels/foundations I work with know about (CMF)," says Donald, "they are making a real impact.”