The name Avery Fisher continues on in the form of a career grant, which awarded its 2016 recepients this week with a $25,000 cash prize. Among the honorees named are three violinists, a cellist and a pianist.
The gift is reserved for young and aspiring musicians dedicated to the craft and who want to pursue a career as a serious and full-time musician. With this award, the young talents are given more of an opportunity to perform with other ensembles across the world.
The honorees announced are Alexi Kenney, Tessa Lark and Sean Lee, who are violinists; Jay Campbell, a cellist; and George Li, a pianist. All recipients performed at the Jerome L. Greene Performance Space after their names were announced. The event was live streamed by WQXR on April 30 with a gracious replay on May 4.
A grand total of 141 performers have been awarded over the years. The grant, which keeps the Fisher namesake a legacy, is a way of pay the craft of music its due diligence. Mr Fisher, who donated a resounding $10.5 million in 1973 toward the renovation of the former Philharmonic Hall at Lincoln Center, sadly, died in 1994.
The grants were designed to give professional assistance and recognition to astounding instrumentalists who are new and noteworthy performers. The grant also extends to chamber ensembles, too. All appointees are evaluated through the Recommendation Board and Executive Committee of the Avery Fisher Artist Program.
Each recipient receives a prize in the form of $25,000 to be used for their various musical needs to perpetuate their career. In connection with this, their performances are recorded and posted to the Program's website, which is also streamed by WQXR.
An amazing honor, we congratulate this year's list of Avery Fisher winners and wish them well on their budding careers as classical musicians.
If you haven't see it yet, check out a performance by Avery Fisher awardees past below.
