NEC Update Vol. 2, No. 4, October 31, 2005

Dizhou Zhao Wins Third Prize in Tbilisi Competition

Chodos on CD and in concert

NEC, BSO celebrate Gunther Schuller

Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act of 2005

Dizhou Zhao Wins Third Prize in Tbilisi Competition

Dizhou Zhao, a 26-year old pianist from the People's Republic of China, has studied at NEC since 1999, earning both his B.M. and M.M. here and continuing on for his Graduate Diploma, which he expects to earn in 2007. His teachers have been Patricia Zander and Alexander Korsantia. In early October, Zhao went to the Republic of Georgia--Korsantia's homeland-and won Third Prize in the Third Tbilisi International Piano Competition.

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Chodos on CD and in concert

Gabriel Chodos's new CD on the Fleurs de son classiques label contains music of Schubert and Brahms. Writing in Clavier, Robert Dumm compares Chodos's approach to that of "Schnabel, Edwin Fischer, and Myra Hess, the dress circle to which this artist belongs."

If you are too young to have heard Schnabel, Fischer, or Hess, you still have the opportunity to hear Chodos, who teaches at NEC and is giving a free faculty recital in NEC's Jordan Hall on November 13, playing an all-German program similar to the repertoire on the new CD.

Explore NEC concerts and programs day by day.

NEC, BSO celebrate Gunther Schuller

Composer - conductor - historian - publisher - performer - educator: Gunther Schuller has been active in many musical realms. As president of New England Conservatory from 1967 to 1977, he influenced thousands of young musicians.

As Schuller turns 80, NEC, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and Harvard join forces to recognize this iconic figure of American music with concerts and discussions of his music and ideas.

As NEC festival director Bruce Brubaker explains, Schuller is "a key witness to American musical culture, from his rediscovery of ragtime to his leadership of the Tanglewood Music Center." This month, in addition to festival events, Web visitors can relive Schuller's ragtime activities at NEC through streaming audio of a 1973 performance.

Listen to a ragtime performance and find Schuller festival details.

Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act of 2005

When the U.S. Congress passed the Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act (H.R. 3768) on September 23, it included a provision that allows a larger tax deduction for giving to not only Hurricane Katrina relief, but also to any charity this year.  Donors who have pledged cash gifts to New England Conservatory might want to consult a tax advisor about accelerating their gifts to NEC, so they can benefit from this greater charitable gift deduction available only through the end of 2005. 

The New York Times' Stephanie Strom writes: "It (the provision) allows donors who make cash gifts to almost any charity by the end of this year to deduct an amount equal to virtually 100 percent of their adjusted gross incomes, double the normal limit of 50 percent of income."

Note:  New England Conservatory does not provide tax advice or assistance.  Please consult an accountant or financial services professional for additional information.  For details about the legislation, go to:  http://thomas.loc.gov, enter bill number H.R. 3768, and select the "Enrolled as Agreed to or Passed by Both House and Senate" version from the many options listed.

Make a gift online.