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Why do I give?
“Music is essential to my son’s life—and my own.”
—Eve Slater, M.D., parent
Eve Slater is the mother of Peter Adam Solomon ’06 TU.
In retrospect, I should have known music would be foremost in my son Peter’s life from the time he was a little boy. He started playing the piano at age six, and the first thing he’d do when he got up in the morning was run to the piano to practice. Most kids at that age have a million other things they want to do when they first wake up! Later he took up the trumpet, and today he’s a horn player.
There was no question when it came time for college that Peter would go to a conservatory. He is a musician first, last and always. New England Conservatory was the obvious choice not only because of its reputation but also for the opportunity to train and play with teachers who are members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Peter has had a phenomenal experience at NEC. His teachers have been mentors whose influence will undoubtedly impact him for the rest of his life. His classmates are talented musicians from around the world. They’re incredibly disciplined and committed to their music, and they make NEC an exciting, inspiring place to be. NEC also lives up to its reputation for collegiality—this is indeed a happy environment. Peter has loved his experience at NEC so much, he’s coming back to get his master’s degree.
I have a soft spot for NEC for my own reasons. I studied flute all through college. Even after deciding on medical school, I thought if things don’t work out, I could still go to a conservatory…. Later, as an intern and resident at Massachusetts General Hospital in the 1970’s, I took flute lessons at NEC with the flutist Claude Monteux, who had been my teacher as an undergraduate. It still gives me a thrill to go into Jordan Hall!
Music has been absolutely essential in both Peter’s life and my own, and that’s why I give to the Annual Fund. The arts today don’t receive adequate funding, and I believe if we fail to train musicians, we are failing society. I realize that for many parents, paying tuition is already burdensome. But even the smallest gift sends the message that a musical education at New England Conservatory matters. NEC has enriched my son’s life immeasurably, and a gift to the Annual Fund is my way of saying thanks.