Musicians Club of New York

The Musicians Club of New York is a non-profit organization based in the New York metropolitan area. It was established on December 4, 1911, with the primary goal of fostering social interaction among musicians and advancing various aspects of musical art.

Founding and Early Years

Initially founded by a group of musicians, composers, and educators, the club aimed to create a social organization for New York City's musical community. Its first headquarters were located at 62 West 45th Street in Midtown Manhattan. The club's early activities included dinners and performances featuring prominent artists such as Ignacy Jan Paderewski, Frances Alda, Ernestine Schumann-Heink, and Rudolph Ganz. These events often took place at notable venues like the New Amsterdam Theatre, Carnegie Hall, and Delmonico's.

Mission and Activities

Over time, the Musicians Club of New York expanded its mission to support and promote young musicians through various awards and scholarships. It has been recognizing contemporary composers and administering the Koussevitzky International Recording Award (KIRA) since 1979. The club also presents the Serge and Olga Koussevitzky Young Artist Awards, which were previously known as the Young Artist Awards and have been given since 1956.

Recent Activities

The club continues to be a significant part of New York's musical scene, hosting chamber music events and competitions. It maintains an archive of past concerts, lists of winners from its competitions dating back to the 1950s, and biographies of past members.

Legal Status

The Musicians Club of New York is a 501(c)(3) organization, operating as a charitable entity.