Naumburg

Walter W. Naumburg Foundation

Established in 1926 by banker and amateur cellist Walter Wehle Naumburg (1867–1959) for the sole purpose of helping young classical musicians launch careers on the basis of a recital in New York's Town Hall, the Naumburg Foundation and its competitions have evolved over the years in response to the changing position of art music in American society and the changing requirements of a successful career launch. More about this.

Up until Naumburg's death, annual awards were given to an indeterminate number of pianists, string players, and singers. Beginning in 1960, this shifted towards the current pattern of a triennial rotation between pianists, string players, and singers, with multiple prizes in each category. Chamber music awards were added in 1965, and from 1949 through 1983 there was also a recording award that resulted in releases on the Columbia and CRI labels.

Naumburg's support for music extended to service as a New England Conservatory trustee. The fund he established here supports an endowed faculty position, currently occupied by President Emeritus Laurence Lesser, as well as a student scholarship.

Naumburg competition winners with NEC affiliations

2012

Tessa Lark '10, '12 G.D., violin
first prize

2009

Trio Cavatina '07, chamber music award

2008

David Requiro '03 Prep, cello
first prize (shared)

David Eggert '05, cello
honorable mention

2006

David Kim '05, viola
honorable mention

2005

Amanda Forsythe '01 M.M., soprano
honorable mention

2003

Ayano Ninomiya '98 Prep, violin
second prize

Biava Quartet '04, chamber music award

1998

Jennifer Frautschi '96 A.D., violin
third prize

1994

Christópheren Nomura '90 Tufts/NEC, '91 M.M., '94 A.D., baritone
third prize

1991

Roberto Díaz '82, viola
third prize

1989

Peabody Trio, chamber music award
Natasha Brofsky, cello

1986

Andrés Díaz '85, '87 A.D., cello
first prize
and solo recording prize

1985

Daniel McKelway '86, '89 A.D., clarinet
third prize

1984

commissioned work by Lee Hyla

1981

Colin Carr, cello
first prize
and solo recording prize

Muir String Quartet, chamber music award
Michael Reynolds, cello

Emmanuel Wind Quintet, chamber music award
Christopher Krueger, flute

1980

Lucy Shelton '68 M.M., soprano
one of four vocalist prizewinners
and solo recording prize

1978

Beverly Morgan '73, '75 M.M., recording award

1976

Empire Brass Quintet, chamber music award
David Ohanian '67, horn
Charles Lewis '72 M.M., trumpet
Norman Bolter, trombone

commissioned work by William Thomas McKinley

1972

commissioned work by Donald Martino

1964

Arthur Berger and Gunther Schuller, recording award

1962

Gunther Schuller, recording award

1955

Nancy Cirillo, violin
first prize

1954

Jules Eskin, cello
first prize

1948

Theodore Lettvin, piano
first prize

2012-07-31