January 11, 2024

MSM Precollege alumna, pianist, and composer Chloe Flower is honored at the MSM Precollege Gala

At MSM’s Precollege Gala in December, the School saluted Precollege alumna, composer, and pianist Chloe Flower (PC ’00), presenting her with the inaugural Janet Daniels Schenck Founder’s Award in recognition of her passionate advocacy of music education.

Proceeds from the event supported MSM’s Precollege Scholarship Fund. The establishment of a new $50,000 Precollege scholarship endowed by Ms. Flower to support female composers was announced at the gala.

Ms. Flower wrote about the Gala on her Instagram account after the event: “I honestly never dreamed that I would be back at @msm.nyc creating an endowment for female composers. Being honored by the school that gave me SO much… the best education I could have hoped for as a young classical pianist, the best friends I could have asked for as a shy girl from central PA, and an experience that shaped me and my career.”

Chloe Flower presents Precollege scholarship check to MSM President James Gandre

The evening began with a cocktail reception hosted by MSM President James Gandre in the School’s Peter Jay Sharp President’s Residence followed by an MSM Precollege Symphony Orchestra performance in Neidorff-Karpati Hall under the direction of conductor Nathan Hetherington.

Approximately 100 guests then enjoyed a seated dinner and performances in the St. James Chapel at Union Theological Seminary. CBS News correspondent Elaine Quijano was the MC for the dinner, which included performances by Precollege student Perry Zou (piano). Precollege composition student Adeline Dunn wrote Like a Breath, an original composition dedicated to Ms. Flower, which was performed by her Precollege classmates Perry Zou and Caleb Sharkey on piano. Ms. Flower plans to record the piece.

“The evening celebrated the transformative power of music and the School’s superb Precollege pre-conservatory training program, which for decades has nurtured the next generation of professional musicians and arts and civic leaders.”

MSM Vice President for Advancement

The gala evening concluded with a performance by Ms. Flower of Joni Mitchell’s “River” from her new holiday album, Chloe Hearts Christmas, followed by the presentation of the Janet Daniels Schenck Founder’s Award.

“The evening celebrated the transformative power of music and the School’s superb Precollege pre-conservatory training program, which for decades has nurtured the next generation of professional musicians and arts and civic leaders,” said MSM Vice President for Advancement Susan Madden.

SLIDE SHOW: The evening honoring Chloe Flower begain with a cocktail reception at the residence of MSM President James Gandre, followed by performances at Neidorff-Karpati Hall, and a dinner and performances at the St. James Chapel at Union Theological Seminary. (Photos by Anna Yatskevich)

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