Click here to download a brochure with introductory information on the Musicians Club of New York, as well as a Membership Form for New Members. If you are already a Member, you may use this form to update your contact information and to renew your membership.

The Musicians Club of New York was organized in 1911 and from 1913-1917 it was led by its third President, the legendary conductor Walter Damrosch. By 1916, the Club had grown to 750 members. World War I saw a decline of the role of clubs in all walks of life, but the Musicians Club of New York has survived by continuing to play a vital role in the musical life of New York, providing a stimulating musical and social environment for its members and their guests. In addition to a concert series from October through April, the Club organizes and funds competitions named after the legendary conductor of the Boston Symphony, Serge Koussevitzky and his wife Olga, who provided the seed money and formulated the goals of the two competitions, namely, to select and encourage talented young performers and composers. In May, there is a Gala Benefit Concert, named after Joseph H. Conlin, who revived the competitions and concert series until his death in 2007.

Membership is open to all lovers of music, and has always had members from the ranks of professional and amateur musicians, members of the music business field from artist and concert management to educators, as well as a core group of non-musicians, all enjoying the concerts and camaraderie, and derive personal satisfaction from supporting the competitions and Gala.

(Link to Walter Damrosch - Wikipedia).

CONCERTS, RECEPTIONS, AND SPECIAL EVENTS
Each season, the Musicians Club sponsors a monthly series of Concerts in various venues and a special Fundraising Gala. Meet-the-Artist Receptions follow these Concerts. All Musicians Club events are for members and their guests.

YOUNG ARTIST AWARDS
Every spring, the Musicians Club of New York holds a Competition for young artists between the ages of eighteen and thirty. The categories – Voice, Piano, Strings, and Winds/Brass – are rotated annually. Cash prizes and concert performances are awarded to the First, Second and Third Prize winners, selected by Juries of prominent musicians.
The Club also provides professional career guidance to young artists.

AIM MUSIC FUND, INC.
The Musicians Club of New York actively promotes worldwide orchestral performances of contemporary composers. In 1979, the Koussevitzky Foundation chose the Musicians Club of New York to administer the American International Music Fund, Inc., which was funded by Serge Koussevitzky. This fund was established to give recognition to Composers during their lifetime and to encourage the performance and appreciation of contemporary music. KIRA, the annual Serge & Olga Koussevitzy International Recording Award, is given to a living Composer for a recorded symphonic work, scored for not less than sixteen musicians. The composition must have been released on a commercial recording between January 1 and Dec. 31. The winning work is selected by a distinguished Awards Jury made up of conductors, musicologists and critics. In addition, Serge Koussevitzky's wife Olga served as President of the Musicians Club from 1962 to 1975 and willed the Club money, which was received upon the death of her niece, in 1991. 

In 1978, following Olga Koussevitzky's death, the prize was officially renamed the Serge and Olga Koussevitzky International Recording Award, KIRA. The Musicians Club of New York has carried on the award in their honor as part of their program of support for contemporary musicians.

(Link to Serge Koussevitzky – Wikipedia).

Board of Directors

Mrs. Kelly De Marco
Richard Dowling, Ph.D.
Mr. Ronald M. Gold
Mr. Brian Hunter, President
Dorothy Indenbaum, Ph.D.
Mr. Paul H. Kirby, Treasurer
Mrs. Ada Kopetz-Korf
Mr. Bruce Kubert, President Emeritus
Mr. Anthony Morss, Secretary
Ms. Beverly Wright

Advisory Committee

Ms. Evangeline Benedetti, Cello, New York Philharmonic
Mrs. Renay Conlin, Artistic Director, Toledo Opera
Mr. Tom Conlin, Conductor
Mr. Maurice Edwards, Brooklyn Symphony
Mr. Peter Goodrich, Steinway & Sons
Mr. Rony Rogoff, Violin, Celibidachi Foundattion

Walter Damrosch
Tali Esen Morgan
David Bispham
J. Fletcher Shera
Arthur Bergh
Henry Hadley
Frank LaForge
John Tasker Howard
Norman Dello Joio
A. Walter Kramer
Olga Koussevitzky
Olegna Fuschi
Bruce Kubert
Joseph H. Conlin
Dorothy Indenbaum

MAIN ACTIVITIES

Olga Koussevitzky Young Artists Awards

Serge and Olga Koussevitzky International
Recording Award (KIRA)

Young Artists Performance Series

Joseph H. Conlin* Gala Benefit Concert

If you would like more information on the social calendar and good works of this nonprofit organization, or you have any ideas for this website, such as links or information that should be included, please contact:

*Joseph H. Conlin served as president of the Musicians Club of New York until his death in 2007. Dorothy Indenbaum served from his death until May, 2008. Brian Hunter and Kelly De Marco of Joseph H. Conlin Travel and Concert Management are on the Musicians Club of New York Board of Directors, Brian serving as president and Kelly chairing the Fund Raising Committee.

PDF File of Certificate of Incorporation of Musicians Club of New York (recorded December 4, 1911)

PDF File of Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of Musicians Club of New York (recorded January 5, 1979)

 
Chung-Yun Hu
2006 Olga Koussevitzky Young Artists Award First Prize (Piano)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The 2010 Olga Koussevitzky Young Artists Awards have not yet been canceled, but we have lost our venue. As soon as we are assured of a new venue, we will email all department heads of music and any individuals who have asked to be contacted. If you wish to be contacted, email directly to: bh@jhcbh.com.

May 7, 2009: Announcing the Winner of the 2007 Serge and Olga Koussevitzky International Recording Award (KIRA):

The 2007 KIRA is awarded to composer Roberto Sierra and Albany Records for the recording of Mr. Sierra's composition Sinfonia No. 3 “La Salsa”. Mr. Sierra was awarded $5,000.

April 15, 2009: Announcing the Winners of the 2009 Olga Koussevitzky Young Artists Awards:

First Prize - Alexander White, Trumpet

Second Prize -Yoobin Soo, Flute 

Third Prize -Won Jin Cho, Clarinet

Adjunct Award:Curtis Prichard, Euphonium

2009, Woodwinds/Brass
First Prize - Alexander White, Trumpet
Second Prize -Yoobin Soo, Flute
Third Prize -Won Jin Cho, Clarinet

(2007 and 2008 not held)

2006, Piano
First Prize - Chung-Yun Hu
Second Prize - Roman Rabinovich
Third Prize - Masha Massiuk-Korf
Fourth Prize - Alexey Koltakov

2005, String
First Prize - Yulia Sakharova, violin
(others tk)

(2001-2004 missing information) 

2000, Piano
First Prize - Héctor Sanchez
Second Prize - Gabrielius Alekna

1999, Woodwinds/Brass
First Prize - Andrew Day, flute
Second Prize - William Bomar, flute
Third Prize - Tong Cui, oboe
Adjunct Award Winner - Alice Dade
Adjunct Award Winner - Oskar Espina-Ruiz, clarinet

1998, String
First Prize - Andrey Tchekmazov
Second Prize - Hrant Parsamian, cello
Ju Young Baek, violin
Hung-Wei Huang, viola
Troy Rinker, double bass
David Frühwirth, violin

1997, Voice
First Prize - Kaori Sato, lyric soprano
Maire O'Brien, soprano
Paul Bellantoni, bass baritone
Thomas Meglioranza, baritone

1996, Piano
First Prize - Gustavo Diaz
Ji Eun Kang
James Lent
Jeremy Denk

1995, Woodwinds/Brass
First Prize - Demarre McGill, flute
Second Prize - Jörg Widmann, clarinet
Adjunct Award Winner - Hye Ri Yoon, flute
Adjunct Award Winner - Alison Veronica Potter, flute

1994, String
First Prize - Francois Salque, cello
Second Prize - Lara St. John, violin
Third Prize - Alexis Pia Gerlach, cello
Fourth Prize - Gilad Karni, viola

1993, Voice
First Prize - Eleni Matos, mezzo soprano
Second Prize - Oxana Arkaeva, soprano
Third Prize - Ricardo Tavura, tenor
Adjunct Award Winner - Cristina Fontanelli, soprano

1992, Piano
Prize money was distributed evenly among 5 finalists:
Thomas Bagwell
Ossie Borosh
Tatanya Concherova
Wai Cheng
Aleksandar Sardar

1991, Woodwinds/Brass
First Prize - Elizabeth Ostling, flute
Second Prize - Igor Begelmn, clarinet
Third Prize - Catherine Ransom, flute

1990, String
First Prize - Chui-Yee Lee, cello
Second Prize - Stephanie Finn, cello
Third Prize -Catherine Sim, violin
Adjunct Award Winner - Joshua Gordon, cello
Adjunct Award Winner - Jeremy McCoy, bass
Adjunct Award Winner - David Niwa, violin

1989, Voice
First Prize - Young Ok Shin, soprano
Second Prize - Brian Matthews, bass
Third Prize - Michele Franco, soprano
Adjunct Award Winner - Matthew Lord
Adjunct Award Winner - Nancy Rathbun

1988, Piano
First Prize - Avner Arad
Second Prize - Janet Newman
Third Prize - Margaret Kampmeier
Adjunct Award Winner - Dan Wen Wei
Adjunct Award Winner - Kyoung Seun Pee
Adjunct Award Winner - Tatiana Rankovich

1987, Woodwinds/Brass
First Prize - Susan Hoeppner, flute
Second Prize - Todd Palmer, Clarinet
Third Prize - David Fidele, flute

1986, String
First Prize - Mihai Tetel, cello
Second Prize - Hee-Jin Paik, cello
Third Prize - Alexander Simionescu, violin
Adjunct Award Winner - Erik Harris,double
Adjunct Award Winner - Sang Min Park, cello

1985, Voice
First Prize - Lynnen Yakes, Mezzo soprano
Second Prize - Mary McClain, lyric soprano
Third Prize - Mary Winston Smith, coloratura soprano
Adjunct Award Winner - Kenn Hicks, tenor

1984, Piano
First Prize - Frederick Blum
Second Prize - Hae Jung Kim
Third Prize -Gregory Slag

1983, Woodwinds/Brass
First Prize - Laura Paulu, flute
Second Prize - Robert Ford, flute
Third Prize - Martin Mangrum, bassoon

1982, String
First Prize - Laura Hamilton, violin
Second Prize - Paul Neubauer, viola
Third Prize - Julie Rosenfeld, violin
Adjunct Award Winner - Stephen Balderson, cello
Adjunct Award Winner - John Feeney, double bass

1981 (information missing)

1980, Voice
First Prize - Cynthia Karnstadt
Second Prize - Gail Hadani
Third Prize - Susan Neves, soprano

1979, Woodwinds/Brass
First Prize - Thomas Friedman, French horn
Second Prize - Tyra Gilib
Third Prize - David Henderson

1978, String
First Prize - Carolyn Davis, double bass
Second Prize - Paul Gati, violin

1977, Piano
Prize money was distruted evenly among 5 finalists:
Michael Blum
Virginia Lum
Douglas Montgovery
Henry Palkes
Joanne Polk

1976, Voice
First Prize - Maxine Davis
Second Prize - Sharon Edgeman

1975, Woodwinds/Brass
First Prize - Jeff Cohan, flute
Second Prize - Stewart Newbold, clarinet
Honorable mention: Andrew Cordle, bassoon
Honorable mention: Wendy Denbaum, flute

1974, String
First Prize - Nils Oliver, cello
Honorable mention: Philippe Djokoc, violin
Honorable mention: Bruce Dukoff, violin
Honorable mention: Carol Webb, violin

1973, Piano
First Prize - Marian E. Hahn
Second Prize - Gary Steigerwalt
Second Prize - Paul Baer
Second Prize - Peter Vinograde
Third Prize - Gary de Sesa
Third Prize - Ian Shapinsky
Third Prize - Steven Mayer
Fourth Prize - Roy Jennings
Fourth Prize - Mary Stanton

1972, Voice
First Prize - Pamela Herbert, soprano
Second Prize - Stephen R. Berman, baritone
Third Prize - Peggy Pruett, soprano

1971, Woodwinds/Brass
First Prize - Ransom Wilson, flute
Second Prize - David Stern, clarinet
Third Prize - David Shifrin, clarinet

1970, String
First Prize - Irene Beslau, viola
Second Prize -Fred Slatkin, cello
Honorable mention: R. Frederickson, double bass
Honorable mention: Louis Halle Rowen, cello

1969, Piano
First Prize - Robert DeGaetano
Second Prize - Peter Schaaf
Third Prize - Sandra Rivers
Honorable mention: Michael Schub

1968, Voice
First Prize - Robert Owen Jones, tenor
Second Prize - Lee Bellaver, soprano

1967, Harp
First Prize - Karen Krisel
Second Prize - Frances Cohen
Third Prize - Sylvia Sanders

1966, Woodwinds/Brass
First Prize - Paul Dunkel, flute
Second Prize - Paul Green, clarinet

1965, String
First Prize - Martha Gerschefski, cello
Second Prize -Ann Rylands, violin
Third Prize - William A. Rhein, double bass

1964, Piano
First Prize - Bonnie Bogle
Second Prize -Dolores Holtz
Third Prize - Bela Szilagi

1963, Voice
First Prize - Mary Beck, soprano

1962, String
First Prize - Charles Castleman, violin
Second Prize -Evalyn Steinbock, cello

1961, Woodwinds/Brass
First Prize - Paula Robison, flute
Second Prize - Sherman Friedland, clarinet

1960, Voice
First Prize - Jean Kraft, contralto
Second Prize - Joseph Williiams, tenor

1959, Piano
First Prize - Armenta Adams
Second Prize - Mitchell Andrews
Third Prize - Augustin Anievas

1958, String
First Prize - Gilda Muhlbauer, violin
Second Prize - Jules Eskin, cello
Third Prize - Stanley Hoffman, violin

1957, Voice
First Prize - Judith Raskin, lyric soprano
Second Prize - Carl White, baritone

1956, Piano
First Prize - Claudette Sorel
Second Prize - Carol Smith

2007 Roberto Sierra for
Sinfonia No. 3 “La Salsa”
Frost Symphony Orchestra, Thomas M. Sleeper, conductor; (Albany TROY942)

2006 -William Thomas McKinley for
Concert Variations for Violin, Viola and Orchestra
Glenn Dicterow, violin; Karen Dreyfus, viola; Warsaw National Philharmonic Orchestra (MMCR 212)

2004 - Stephen Jaffe for
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra
Gregory Fulkerson, violin; Donald Palma, conductor; Odense Symphony Orchestra (Bridge 9141)

1993 - Sofia Gubaidulina for
Stimmen...verstummen...
Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Gennady Rozhdestvensky (Chandos 9183)

1990 - Luc Ferrari for
Histoire du plaisir et de la désolation
Orchestra National de France, Michael Luig. (Adda 581156)

1989 - Sofia Gubaidulina for Offertorium;
Gidon Kremer, violin; Boston Symphony, Charles Dutoit, conductor (Deutsche Grammophon 427 336-2)

1988 Magnus Lindberg for
Kraft
Toimii Ensemble; Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra; Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor (Finlandia FACD 372)

1988 Special Citations:
Barbara Kolb for Soundings;
Ensemble Intercontemporai, Tamayo (CRI 537)

Olivier Messiaen for
Saint François D'Assise
Van Dam, Eda-Pierre; Paris Opera, Ozawa, conductor (cybelia CY 833-836)

Sir Michael Tippett for
The Mask of Time
Robinson, Walker, Tear, Cheek; BBC Symphony and Chorus, A. Davis, conductor (EMI CDCB 47705)

1987 (1) George Benjamin for
Mind of Winter
Paul Archibald, Penelope Walmsley-Clark; London Sinfonietta, George Benjamin, conductor (Nimbus 5075)

1987 (2) Cristobal Halffter for
Concerto No. 2 for Cello and Orchestra
Mstislav Rostropovich; Orchestre National de France, Halffter (Erato ECD 75320)

1986 (1) Mark Kopytman for
Memory
Gila Bashari; Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, Gary Bertini (Jerusalem ATD 8506, Harmonia Mundi, US)

1986 (2) Witold Lutoslawski for
Symphony No. 3
Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, Esa-Pekka Salonen (CBS Masterworks IM 42203 (d))

1985 Hugues Dufourt for
Antiphysis
Istvan Matuz; Ensemble Intercontemporain, Pierre Boulez, conductor (Erato STU 71544 (A))

1984 (1) Pierre Boulez for
Eclat/Multiples
Ensemble Intercontemporain, Pierre Boulez, conductor (CBS M 37850)

1984 (2) Theo Loevendie for
Flexio
Residentie Orchestra, Peter Eötvös (Donemus Composers' Voice 8301)

1983 Philippe Boesmans for
Violin Concerto;
Richard Pieta; Liège Philharmonic, Pierre Bartholomée (Ricercar RIC 014)

1982 Cornel Taranu for
Ghirlande
Cluj Ars Nova Group, Cornel Taranu (Electrecord ECE 01806)

1981 Harrison Birtwistle for
Punch and Judy
Stephen Roberts and David Wilson-Johnson; London Sinfonietta, David Atherton (Decca Headline HEAD 24/5 (2))

1980 (1) Lucia Dlugoszewski for
Fire Fragile Flight
 Orchestra of Our Time, Joel Thomer (Candide CE 31113)

1980 (2) Aribert Reimann for
Lear
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Baritone; Barvarian State Opera; Gerd Albrecht, conductor (Deutsche Grammophon 2709 089 (3))

1979 Brian Ferneyhough for
Transit
 London Sinfonietta; Elgar Howarth (Decca Headline HEAD 18)

1978 Jesús Villa-Rojo for
Formas y fases
 Antoni Ros-Marba, conductor (Discos Movieplay 17.1304/0)

1977 Luciano Berio for
Concerto for Two Pianos
Bruno Canino and Antonio Ballista; London Symphony Orchestra, Berio (RCA Red Seal ARL 1-1674)

1976 Henri Dutilleux for
Tout un monde lointain
Mstislav Rostropovich; Orchestre de Paris; Serge Baudo (EMI S 37146)

1976 Special Citation:
Philippe Boesmans for
Intervalles II sur mi
Orchestre Symphonique de Liège (Musica Magna MAG 50 010)

1975 No competition.

1974 Roque Cordero for
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra
Sanford Allen; Detroit Symphony, Paul Freeman. (Columbia M 32784)

1974 Special Citation:
John McCabe for
Notturni Ed Alba and
Symphony No. 2
Jill Gomez, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Louis Fremaux (EMI ASD 2904)

1973 Award withheld by the jury.

1972 Seymour Shifrin for
Three Pieces for Orchestra
 London Sinfonietta; Jacques Monod (CRI #SD 275)

1972 Special Citation:
Milton Babbitt for
Vision and Prayer and
Mario Davidovsky for Synchronisms No. 5 (CRI #SD 268)

Charles Wuorinen for
Chamber Concerto
Group for Contemporary Music, Wuorinen (Nonesuch H-71263)

1971 George Crumb for
Ancient Voices of Children
Contemporary Chamber Ensemble; Arthur Weisberg. (Nonesuch H-71255)

1971 Special Citations:
Michael Brozen for
In Memorium
Royal Philharmonic; James Dixon (CRI)

Durke Zsolt for
Fioriture for Orchestra
Orchestra of Hungarian Radio and TV; Gyorgy Lehel (Hungaraton)

1970 Seymour Shifrin for
Satires of Circumstance and
Stefan Wolpe for
Chamber Piece No. 1 Contemporary Chamber Ensemble; Arthur Weisberg (Nonesuch H 71220)

1970 Special Citations:
Jacob Druckman for Incenters,
Frederick Myrow for Songs from the Japanese and
Roger Reynolds for Quick Are the Mouths of Earth
Contemporary Chamber Ensemble; Arthur Weisberg (Nonesuch)

Chou Wen-Chung for Pien
Group for Contemporary Music; Harvey Sollberger (CRI)

Charles Wuorinen for
Piano Concerto
Royal Philharmonic; James Dixon (CRI)

1969 Roberto Gerhard for
Concerto for Orchestra
BBC Symphony; Norman Del Mar (Argo R6553) 

1969 Special Citations:
Henry Lazarof for
Structures Sonores
Utah Symphony; Maurice Abravenel (Vanguard MCS-10047)

Gunther Schuller for
Five Bagatelles
Louisville Orchestra, Jorge Mester (LS-686)

Boris Tishchenko for
Concerto for Cello
Mstislav Rostropovich, cello; Leningrad Philharmonic; Igor Blazhkov (Melodiya/Angel SR 40091)

1968 Carlos Chávez for
Six Symphonies
Orquesta Sinfonica Nacional de Mexico; Chávez (Columbia 32-31-002) 

1968 Special Citations:
Harrison Bertwistle for
Tragoedia
Melos Ensemble; Lawrence Foster (His Master's Voice - RCA)

Marius Constant for
Twenty-Four Preludes for Orchestra
Orchestre Philoharmonique de L'O.R.T.F; Charles Bruck (Heliodor)

Hilding Rosenberg for
The Revelation of St. John
Sveriges Radio Symphonior-kester; Herbert Blomstadt (His Master's Voice - RCA)

Michael Tippett for
Symphony No. 2
London Symphony Orchestra; Colin Davis (Argo)

1967 Olivier Messiaen for
Trois Petites Liturgies de la Présence Devine
Yvonne & Jeanne Loriod; Les Choeurs de la Mâitrise; Chamber Orchestra of French Radio; Marcel Couraud (Erato) 

1967 Special Citations:
Tiberiu Olah for
Coloana fara de sfîrsit
Symmphony Orchestra of Roumanian Radio; Iosif Contal (Electrecord)

Harvey Sollberger for
Chamber Variations
Group for Contemporary Music at Columbia U.; Gunther Schuller (CRI 204, SD 204)

1966 Peter Maxwell Davies for
Leopardi Fragments
as part of the Gulbenkian Foundation's "Music Today" series (EMI ASD 640)

1966 Special Citations:
Pierre Boulez for
Le soleil des eaux,
Roberto Gerhard for
Symphony No. 1,
Elizabeth Lutyens for
O saisons, o chateaux
 - additional parts of the Gulbenkian Foundation's "Music Today" series (EMI ASD 640)

Carl Ruggles for Sun Treader
in cooperation with the Naumburg Foundation (Columbia Records MS 6801)

1965 Ingvar Lidholm  for
Poesis per Orchestra
Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra; Herbert Blomstedt (Swedish Discofil Society LT 33160, SLT 33160)

1964 Witold Lutoslawski  for
Trois Poèmes d'Henri Michaux pour choeur et orchestre
Polski Nagrania in connection with Festival of Contemporary Music (Muza W871/2)

1963 Edgard Varèse  for
Arcana
Columbia Symphony Orchestra; Robert Craft (CBS)