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Why do I give?
“The gift is an expression of the importance we place on excellence in teaching.”
—Charles Hieken, music lover
The prestige and security of endowed faculty chairs form the cornerstone of New England Conservatory’s efforts to enrich every department with the most highly sought-after artist-teachers. Donna and Charles Hieken empowered NEC with just this ability by creating the Donna Hieken Flute Chair. The second permanently funded faculty position to be established during the Gift of Music Campaign, it was fully endowed by a matching grant from the Nicholas Family Challenge. In fall 2005, internationally recognized flutist, teacher, recording artist, and author Paula Robison became its first occupant.
Why do the Hiekens support music? While currently a principal at Fish & Richardson PC, earlier in his career Charles Hieken worked with MIT classmate Amar Bose to help organize the Bose Corporation. When Bose sent an Acoustic Wave music system to each firehouse in New York City after 9/11, each came with the following note: “It has been said that there are places in the human heart no words can touch, places that perhaps only music can reach.”
And why flute? Donna Hieken has been principal flutist with the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra and a member of the Cantilena Woodwind Quintet. She studied briefly at NEC and has taught privately and at University of Rhode Island, while continuing to perform. And for 15 years Donna was editor of the Schwann Artist Issue catalogue of CDs, tapes, and LPs.
Of the flute chair at NEC, Charles Hieken has said: “The gift is an expression of the importance we place on excellence in teaching. Donna and I have long recognized the stature of New England Conservatory as one of the leading institutions of advanced musical education in the world.”