Information on this page is arranged in ascending year order for this decade. It includes Manhattan School of Music historical facts and images from the School's archives, as well as items and quotes submitted by alumni. Each section also includes some Other Highlights of New York City's music history.
Raymond LeMieux joins the faculty and begins a graduate program in music education.
The opera department is formed, headed by Fredrich Schorr (pictured at piano).
Gunther Schuller (MSM Pre-College alumnus) joins Manhattan School of Music faculty.
Dick Katz (BM ’50) remembers: “The first vivid memory I have of MSM is taking the entrance audition with Mrs. Schenck in her office: I dutifully proceeded to play the required Bach Invention, and had begun a Mozart sonata when she said, 'Very nice, but I see here on your application that your main interest is jazz. Play me something.' I played a little of Gershwin’s 'The Man I Love'..."
Maxwell Roach (pictured) begins work toward a Bachelor's degree.
Raphel Bronstein joins the violin faculty where he teaches until his death in 1988.
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Robert Goldsand (pictured, left) joins the piano faculty, where he teaches until his death in 1991.
Class of 1952 (courtesy of Blanche Heisler 5/15/1956 '52).
Bebe Shopp (BM '52) poses here with three friends, including her vibraphone, with which she had become Miss America in 1948.
Jonel Perlea, a conductor at La Scala and the Metropolitan Opera, is appointed to the faculty.
John Lewis (BM '52 / MM '53) founds the Modern Jazz Quartet.
October — A WNYC broadcast introduces the newly formed Manhattan Trio: Ernest Ulmer, piano; David Wells, cello; and Oliver Colbentsen, violin. They perform Mozart’s Trio in E Major.
Joe Wilder (pictured on trumpet) completes his Bachelor of Music degree. Mr. Wilder writes: “I still count among the Other Highlights of my career, playing principal trumpet with the Manhattan School of Music Symphony under the direction of Jonel Perlea.”
Metropolitan Opera baritone John Brownlee joins the voice faculty and heads the opera department. The Harpies by Marc Blitzstein is performed.
School is expanded; library wing is added.
The School has 650 students representing 30 foreign countries and 36 U.S. states.
Comedy on the Bridge by Bohuslav Martinu is performed by the Opera Department.
February — A broadcast on WNYC features a performance of Nicolas Flagello’s The Land, with basso Ezio Flagello '53 as soloist. A new piano sonata by Ludmila Ulehla '48 is given its World Premiere by pianist Leander Dell’Anno. Ms. Ulehla is interviewed during intermission.
Love Triumphant (L'Italiana in Londra) by Domenico Cimarosa is given its American Premiere by the Opera Department.
September — Janet Schenck retires as director; she remains on the School’s board of trustees and becomes director emeritus and trustees’ representative to the administration.
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Board of trustees appoint Metropolitan Opera baritone John Brownlee as the School’s new director. He serves as director/president until 1969.
School receives full membership to the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
Rita by Gaetano Donizetti is given its Amercian Premiere (pictured), The Ruby by Norman Dello Joio is given its New York Premiere, and The Fatal Oath by Boris Koutzen is given its World Premiere – all by the Opera Department.
Albert Barouch (BM ’58), pictured above, writes: “In 1957, while attending MSM, I had a relationship with an MSM student by the name of Evelyn Volpe. Circumstances changed our relationship and caused us to proceed in different directions. We had no contact or knowledge about each other until recently… Last month we vacationed together in Italy.”
Scenes from La bohème, Otello, Rigoletto, and Così fan tutte are presented by the Opera Department.
First time School makes a widespread drive for funds; slogan is “Help us to raise the roof,” as they need two new floors, one to be a new dining hall, the other to have a recital hall.
Under the baton of Jonel Perlea, the 86-piece Manhattan Orchestra premiere's Vittorio Gianinni’s Symphony No. 2 on American Festival Series, broadcast on WNYC.
Two additional floors are added, which include a large and beautiful dining hall, a recital hall, studios, and additional practice rooms.
Student body numbers 831 students.
Pablo Casals (pictured here with John Brownlee at MSM) returns to the School to teach a master class.
Scenes from The Magic Flute, Lucia di Lammermore, and Madame Butterfly are presented by the Opera Department.
The Pearl Fishers by Georges Bizet is presented by the Opera Department (May). A double-bill of Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci is presented by the Opera Workshop (December).
Other Highlights of New York City Musical History:
If you can identify the time, place, and people in these photos, please let us know.
Anna Mione (BM ’51 / MM ’52) writes: “I’m thrilled to the gills about the 1950's... [The people in this photo are] pianist Leander Dell'Ano, cellist Leo Teraspulsky, and the violinist is my cousin, Philip Callaci. Philip inspired me to become a musician. He is 92 years old and is living in Chappaqua, and married Anna Di Bella, vocal extension student at MSM. I introduced them... So exciting to look back. Just thinking of MSM brings back a flood of memories of joy, friendship, and magnificent music… unforgetable...”
Do you have a photo with unknown people in it or are you just not sure when or where the photo was taken? Send us a copy and we'll help you find out.
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