This year the Music Performance Fund presented over 10,000 live, admission-free musical programs. An impressive figure, although considerably lower than in previous years, due to our loss of income caused by illegal downloading and piracy. Nevertheless, the Fund remains the largest provider of free, musical programs for audiences representing every ethnic, economic, social and age group. Our music reaches deep into communities touching the lives of so many; bringing joy to the lonely in nursing homes, bittersweet memories to our vets, hope to at-risk and incarcerated young men and women and song to children-many who have never experienced live music.

Symphonic Jazz Orchestra

Symphonic Jazz Orchestra
Los Angeles, CA

"Where the Passions of Jazz meet the Power of the Orchestra", this 72-member professional ensemble based in Los Angeles, works with outreach partners: the Music Performance Fund, The World Stage, Harmony Project, the California State Summer School for the Arts and local elementary schools, to inspire the next generation of listeners through specially designed Family Concerts and Outreach Programs targeting an audience from underserved communities. This past summer the MPF supported the 80th Anniversary celebration of George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue presented by the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra at the Ford Amphitheatre. The concert featured pianist Bill Cunliffe with bassist Edwin Livingston and drummer Peter Erskine in the original 1924 orchestration of this American masterpiece. The Orchestra has also commissioned and premiered seven new works by both established and emerging composers since it was established in 2002.

French Quarter Festival and Community Action

French Quarter Festival and Community Action
New Orleans, LA

MPF together with the AFM Musicians' Mutual Protective Association joined forces with The New Orleans Musicians' Clinic this past year to keep the music flowing in all areas of the New Orleans community. Together we brought, and will continue to bring, music to public venues such as the New Orleans Museum of Art, St. George's Episcopal Church's Soup Kitchen, St. Bernard Relief Center and the Louis Armstrong International Airport. There was some doubt whether the annual French Quarter Festival, Louisiana's largest free and open music festival, would occur this year. But it certainly did, and with an attendance of over 350,000! Festival-goers reveled in the spirit of New Orleans while enjoying a cultural showcase of Crescent City's finest music and food of the soulful streets of the historic French Quarter. Fifteen stages showcased the best in New Orleans music, representing every genre from gospel to jazz, Latin to classical, Cajun & Zydeco, to brass band, while local restaurants serve up the best cuisine New Orleans has to offer during The World's Largest Jazz Brunch. Children's activities, fun exhibits and other festivities took place throughout.

Cal Phil Family Night

Cal Phil Family Night
Los Angeles, CA

The California Philharmonic held its fifth annual Cal Phil Family Night this summer at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden. This free event, presented by the Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts with funding provided in part by the Music Performance Fund, included a symphony concert for families and educational activities for children. "Our annual Family Night came about as a way to address the lack of symphonic activities for L.A. County's children and their care providers during the summer," said Melinda Kernc, Cal Phil's Director of Education. "Family Night provides a needed resource to people who otherwise might never attend live, classical music event, especially as a family unit. Plus, Family Night's educational components encourage youths to explore the world of music."

Skitch Henderson - The New York Pops

The New York Pops
New York, NY

Skitch Henderson founded The New York Pops 23 years ago to bring the music he loved to the people of New York. Carrying on his legacy, The New York Pops rededicates itself to ensuring that great American popular music will continue to be heard throughout the city. Funding from the Music Performance Fund helps keep the music playing at Carnegie Hall, provides free music lessons and concert tickets to at-risk children, and ensures that thousands of people of all backgrounds can attend free New York Pops concerts in the city's parks each summer.

San Antonio Jazz Market

San Antonio Jazz Market
San Antonio, TX

The San Antonio, Texas Musicians' Society is a strong supporter of Jazz in their community year round, and annually supports Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) concerts throughout their city. The Jazz Market is a lunch concert series held at Main Plaza in downtown San Antonio, Texas. Jazz groups perform 2 hours daily, free and open to the public throughout the month of April in recognition of Jazz Appreciation Month. In addition to the concerts the Musicians' Society organized a new and interesting initiative called "Jazz Market Exchange." This includes a Question and Answer session at the concerts meant to stimulate the current jazz scene and encourage people of all ages to participate in jazz by learning the history, studying the music, attending concerts, tuning in to jazz stations on the radio, reading books and supporting jazz programs in their communities.

Saturday Night Bath
Southern California

The SNB, created by Bassist/Composer/Vocalist Howie Rich, has been presenting youth concerts and clinics for at-risk and incarcerated youth of southern California since 1986. Audience members range from three to eighteen years of age. Many are in detention (juvenile halls, probation camps, etc.); others are in governmental custody due to parental neglect or are classified as at-risk/physically and mentally challenged. Most are of African and Hispanic descent and are from economically deprived areas. Live performances by SNB include selections by original contemporary as well as traditional composers from the Blues, Rhythm and Blues, Rock and Roll and Rap music genres. New works describe life today, while the repertoire is expanded to current popular music, rhythms and poetry. A percussionist, a specialist in African instruments, and a skilled music therapist teach workshops in rhythm and instrument making. MPF has been a supporter of the Saturday Night Bath since it began its at-risk youth concert program and will continue to provide funding for this program as long as our budget allows.

LA County Holiday Celebration

LA County Holiday Celebration
Los Angeles, CA
Pictured: Schoenberg Orchestra Surreal

A gift from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to the L.A. community since 1960, the annual Los Angeles County Holiday Celebration, a six-hour extravaganza, is L.A.'s biggest holiday show of the season. And best of all... it's free...with the support of MPF and the AFM Professional Musicians Association of Los Angeles. The yearly celebration showcases musical ensembles, choirs, and dance companies - about 1,500 performers in all - reflecting the vibrant spectrum of cultures found in Southern California. Performances take place in the beautiful Dorothy Chandler Pavilion of the Music Center, and is simulcast live on KCET Channel 28.