The Most Important in Brief

The Jerusalem Music Centre (JMC) serves as a nationwide organization dedicated to the promotion and nurturing of outstanding young musicians. As one of the world's leading institutes for musical education, the JMC focuses on developing exceptional talent regardless of geographical location or financial means within Israel. Headed by the renowned pianist Murray Perahia, the JMC was founded in 1973 by violinist Isaac Stern and Jerusalem Mayor Teddy Kollek, with the assistance of Yad Hanadiv and the Jerusalem Foundation. It is Israel’s foremost educational institution in the field of classical music. Over the past five decades, the Centre has contributed to the development of thousands of musicians, through the The Young Israel Philharmonic activities, intensive year-round programs, residential courses, chamber music ensembles, international encounters and courses, masterclasses with world-renowned artists, and a vibrant performance schedule, the JMC provides exceptional musical education to outstanding young talents from across the country. The JMC alumni hold leading positions as performers, composers, and educators in Israel and around the world. The JMC is a private, not-for-profit organisation. Its continued activity relies on the support of private donors and charitable foundations committed to nurturing excellence and creativity in Israel’s next generation of musicians.

1. Purpose

   To discover, nurture, and promote exceptional young musicians from across Israel, offering them uniquely tailored programs that refine their artistry as soloists, chamber musicians, and orchestral performers. To support the ongoing musical and pedagogical development of instrumental teachers nationwide, connecting them with the world’s leading performers and educators. To serve as a musical beacon of international stature in the heart of Israel’s capital, enriching Jerusalem and its residents through a world-class concert series and vibrant cultural presence. Our Vision: Music speaks with rare immediacy to the core of human experience. The path to true, authentic mastery in its performance is a lifelong endeavor—one that demands not only talent, but also unwavering commitment, deep humility, and a profound dedication to the craft. At the Jerusalem Music Centre, we seek out the most gifted and devoted young Israelis—those ready to embark on this demanding and wondrous journey. Around them, we build a community of fellow musicians and great masters, a nurturing and challenging environment that walks with them through their formative years and beyond. This community stands beside them time and again, offering guidance and inspiration—reminding them that there is always more to explore, feel, and convey through the language of music. Through this ongoing process of deep musical engagement, these young talents grow into true musicians: artists who make interpretative choices with awareness and integrity, and who search continually for meaning, connection, and honesty in every note they play.

2. The Most Important in Brief

   The Jerusalem Music Centre (JMC) serves as a nationwide organization dedicated to the promotion and nurturing of outstanding young musicians. As one of the world's leading institutes for musical education, the JMC focuses on developing exceptional talent regardless of geographical location or financial means within Israel. Headed by the renowned pianist Murray Perahia, the JMC was founded in 1973 by violinist Isaac Stern and Jerusalem Mayor Teddy Kollek, with the assistance of Yad Hanadiv and the Jerusalem Foundation. It is Israel’s foremost educational institution in the field of classical music. Over the past five decades, the Centre has contributed to the development of thousands of musicians, through the The Young Israel Philharmonic activities, intensive year-round programs, residential courses, chamber music ensembles, international encounters and courses, masterclasses with world-renowned artists, and a vibrant performance schedule, the JMC provides exceptional musical education to outstanding young talents from across the country. The JMC alumni hold leading positions as performers, composers, and educators in Israel and around the world. The JMC is a private, not-for-profit organisation. Its continued activity relies on the support of private donors and charitable foundations committed to nurturing excellence and creativity in Israel’s next generation of musicians.

3. Goals

   At the heart of the Jerusalem Music Centre’s mission lies a commitment to cultivating the next generation of outstanding musicians in Israel while ensuring broad accessibility, artistic excellence, and meaningful social impact. Our long-term goals reflect this comprehensive vision: Quality and Excellence We are committed to maintaining the highest standards in musical education and performance. We strive for excellence in all aspects of our programs, from teaching methodologies to high-end concerts, ensuring that our students receive world-class musical training that prepares them for successful careers in music. Identification and Nurturing of Outstanding Talents In full partnership with Israel’s leading conservatories and the Division for Gifted and Outstanding Students at the Ministry of Education, the JMC aims to identify and nurture approximately 250 exceptionally talented young musicians each year. Ensuring Social and Geographic Diversity The JMC is deeply committed to fostering broad participation and representation across Israel’s diverse population. Despite its small size, Israel experiences major social gaps rooted in both geography, and socioeconomic status. At the JMC- Over 25% of participating students arrive from peripheral areas, ensuring that talent and opportunity are not limited by background or location. International Faculty and Global Collaborations Recognizing the importance of global artistic exchange, the JMC engages approximately 30 distinguished international guest artists annually. These artists lead joint projects with partner institutions abroad, while tailored study tracks prepare students for advanced academic and professional studies both in Israel and worldwide. Comprehensive Educational Framework The JMC’s operational goal is to provide a rich and varied program structure that combines technical mastery with artistic depth. Program components include: Full orchestral programs Chamber music ensembles Masterclasses led by internationally renowned artists Individual mentoring and direct engagement with leading musicians Expansion of international collaborations and academic partnerships Community Impact and Social Goals Beyond its core educational mission, the Jerusalem Music Centre plays a vital role as a vibrant cultural institution, serving diverse communities across Jerusalem and Israel for over five decades. Accessible Concert Series for Underserved Audiences Each year, thousands attend the Centre’s free and subsidized concert programs, specially designed to serve underserved populations. Through partnerships with welfare organizations, the Centre provides free access to hundreds of elderly citizens, Holocaust survivors, and low-income youth. In the past year alone, 22,476 individuals enjoyed concerts through free or subsidized tickets, participating fully in the Centre’s world-class artistic programming. Importantly, these audience members do not receive a limited or separate experience — they attend the same high-caliber performances as regular subscribers, enjoying full membership benefits alongside paying audiences. This model reflects the Centre’s deep commitment to cultural equality: making excellence equally accessible to all, regardless of financial means. Expanding Access to Classical Music Across Israel For 30 years, the Centre has served as the home base for Jerusalem’s International Chamber Music Festival, one of the leading festivals in Israel, drawing internationally renowned artists and audiences from across the country. Through these performances, the Centre not only produces and hosts world-class artists, but brings thousands of classical music lovers from every region of Israel to Jerusalem each year. Serving a Broad Educational Spectrum The Centre provides services not only to highly gifted students, but also to music learners at earlier stages of their development. In partnership with conservatories throughout the city, the Centre offers educational activities that reach a wide spectrum of students- from those taking their first steps in classical music to emerging talents. Affordability for All Participants Beyond scholarships, the Centre actively maintains participation fees at accessible levels for all students, preserving affordability and broadening access to excellence. The Centre’s approach ensures that financial barriers do not prevent deserving students from engaging with high-level musical education. Through these long-term community commitments, the Jerusalem Music Centre remains a living cultural institution: a place where excellence meets responsibility, and where music serves not only as an art form but as a bridge — connecting individuals, generations, and communities across Israel. Holistic Educational Approach and Student Well-Being The Jerusalem Music Centre views the development of each young musician not only as a process of technical mastery, but as a holistic journey—one that requires careful attention to the emotional, physical, and social well-being of the student. Recognizing the many pressures that accompany the path of a young musician—including intense competition, the rigors of daily practice, and the high demands of public performance—the Centre integrates comprehensive well-being practices into every layer of its educational mission. Promoting Mental and Physical Health Throughout their years of study, participants are supported by a professional team trained to nurture both their musical and personal growth. Each residential course includes a range of body-mind practices such as physical exercise, yoga, chi gong, and other wellness activities designed to strengthen both body and mind. These practices help students build resilience, reduce performance anxiety, and maintain long-term physical health—crucial in a discipline that demands both technical precision and emotional expression. Personal Mentorship and Emotional Support The Centre’s dedicated team of seven social counselors accompanies students during intensive courses, serving both as mentors and as trusted points of emotional support. These adult figures provide a safe, listening ear for teenagers navigating the complex demands of adolescence, excellence, and identity formation- offering guidance and stability during formative years. Educational Integration and Coordination As an institution whose students come from across the country, and whose participants often balance commitments to their high schools, conservatories, and private teachers, the Centre places great emphasis on coordination between all parties involved in the child’s education. Ongoing communication is maintained with parents, personal teachers, conservatory directors, and high school principals to ensure that the student's educational path remains coherent, balanced, and supportive. This integrated approach helps prevent unnecessary conflicts or overload, allowing each young artist to thrive within a stable and synchronized educational framework. Through this holistic, coordinated, and deeply personal approach, the Jerusalem Music Centre creates not only outstanding musicians, but well-rounded, resilient, and healthy young individuals equipped for long and meaningful artistic lives.

4. Principles

   Principles Quality and Excellence: Our purpose is to champion high-standarts in musical education and performance, rooted in the belief that exceptional artistry can shape lives and communities. We are dedicated to excellence in all aspects of our work- from teaching methodologies to concert presentations, with the purpose of providing students with world-class musical training that empowers them to lead successful and meaningful lives in music. Inclusion and Equal Opportunities: We believe that musical talent knows no boundaries of race, religion, socioeconomic background, or geographic location. Our programs are designed to identify and nurture exceptional young musicians from all communities, providing equal access to high-quality musical education regardless of their background. Student Well-being We recognize that musical training can be demanding and competitive. We are committed to creating a supportive, nurturing environment that prioritizes the physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of our students. We foster a culture of mutual respect, collaboration, and healthy competition that encourages growth while maintaining balance. Community Contribution: We view ourselves as active contributors to the cultural fabric of our society. Through our educational programs, public concerts, and community outreach initiatives, we aim to enrich the lives of audiences and participants alike, making classical music accessible and relevant to diverse communities. Affordability and Accessibility We believe that exceptional musical education and cultural experiences should be accessible to all. We are committed to keeping our concerts and educational programs affordable and accessible, ensuring that financial constraints do not prevent talented individuals from participating in our programs or audiences from enjoying world-class performances.

5. Measures

   Measures: A. THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS: In order to fulfill its educational mission, the Centre operates a wide-ranging educational program that includes the following initiatives (the names of the programs are listed in the document. Full details are available upon request). The Young Israel Philharmonic Orchestra's programs, which include: 1. Young Israel Philharmonic Orchestra Winter Academy 2. Young Israel Philharmonic Orchestra Summer Academy 3. The David Goldman Chamber Music Programme 4. Young Strings Program ages 11–15 5. The Huberman Masterclass Program 6. The International Wind Masterclass Program and Residential Course 7. Miriam Fried Violin Masterclass Program 8. International Strings Masterclass Program 9. The Murray Perahia Masterclass Piano Program 10. Young Pianists Program ages 11-15 11. Young Pianists Program ages 15-18 12. The Vocal Program ages 15-18 The educational programs of the Jerusalem Music Centre – quantitative data outcome over the course of one year *250 students take part in the programme each year *62 students come from Israel’s Geographical Periphery *35 Chamber Ensembles work year-round receiving a total of *805 lessons over the course of the year *112 musicians and artists from Israel and abroad teach in our programmes each year *137 masterclass days (685 teaching hours) over the course of the year *380 advanced theory lessons taught to 13 groups by 9 teachers each year *Each year we hold 69 days of music camps, including musical instruction, full room and board and social activities. *The programmes hold over 45 concerts a year, including: Orchestra concerts in the Charles Bronfman Auditorium in Tel Aviv and the Jerusalem Theatre, Sounds of Spring chamber music festival as well as professional chamber music series in Israel, 10-15 concerts for the community in assisted living facilities and elementary schools, and performances in festive ceremonies such as at the presidential residence, the Knesset and prestigious fundraising events In total, the concerts of the educational programs are heard by over 8000 people each year. Of these, 1200 listeners are under the age of 18. (Please note: the overall concert series events at the JMC include over 25,000 participants.) *Each year we film and record 20 masterclasses and 10 orchestral and chamber music concerts at a professional level *Each year around 55 students graduate from programmes *Over 80% of graduates of the JMC in general and the YIPO in particular continue into musical higher education (undergraduate degrees at music academies in Israel and abroad) B. CONCERTS, EVENTS, RECORDINGS, VENUE RENTALS Over the course of one year, the Jerusalem Music Centre presents more than 120 concerts featuring top international and Israeli artists, with several distinct series that highlight chamber music, music festivals, and concerts for the community free of charge. Detailed quantitative data outcome over the course of one year 1. 36 concerts as part of our regular concert series 2. 25 concerts within special festivals, such as the Rooftop Festival, the Children’s Concert Festival, the Bach Festival, the Israeli Music Festival, and others 3. 60 community concerts, featuring performances by conservatories, music academies, studio classes, and young artists 4. The JMC’s vibrant YouTube Channel 17,850 total attendees, including 10,172 who attended community concerts offered free of charge These numbers speak not only to the scope of our activity, but also to the Centre’s role as a cultural presence in Jerusalem, bringing music to the public, even in the most uncertain of times. 1. The Jerusalem Music Centre’s Concert Series: a. The Elaine and Sir James Wolfensohn International series The Jerusalem Music Centre has been working closely with the world’s leading musicians for many years, in partnerships that allow us to hold concerts on an international level and strengthen Jerusalem’s position as a leading city in the world in the field of classical music. Over the course of a single year of activity, 13 concerts are performed in the International Series: 10 in Jerusalem, 3 in Tel-Aviv. b. “Seven at 7” narrated concert series Seven concerts, which are fascinating encounters guided by Prof. Ariel Hirshfeld. Each concert opens with a short lecture and ends with an intimate Q&A with the audience over a glass of wine with the guest performing artists. c. Youth at the Centre 16 concerts of The ‘Young at the Centre’ concert series, one of the Center’s important projects, provides a stage for young musicians at the beginning of their professional careers. We allow young artists to build complete concert programs, as soloists and ensembles, and present them to our audience. The best musicians in the country started their way in this series, and we are proud of the opportunity we gave them at the beginning of their journey. The concerts are offered to the general public free of charge, and are broadcast live on the radio channel Kol HaMusika (Sounds of Music). 2. Special Concert Festivals Throughout the year, the Centre hosts a variety of special festivals, featuring 25 concerts that attract hundreds of music lovers. These include: The International Chamber Music Festival in Jerusalem (over 27 years running), featuring legendary artists from around the world: The Rooftop Festival The Bach Festival The “Sounds of Spring” Festival Israeli Music Festival 3. Community Concerts The Centre also presents a wide range of 60 concerts designed to engage the broader public, featuring: – Communal concerts in collaboration with local academies and conservatories – Children’s concerts – Studio classes and class concerts led by prominent teachers – Young artists recitals 4 . The Jerusalem Music Centre’s YouTube Concert Channel – the Centre’s YouTube channel – has over 13,300! subscribers who enjoy direct access to a wide range of content, including live-streamed concerts, filmed masterclasses, and rare archival footage featuring some of the greatest musicians who have visited the Centre over the past 53 years.

6. Financing

   JERUSALEM MUSIC CENTER FUNDING STRUCTURE & REVENUE SOURCES OVERVIEW The Jerusalem Music Centre operates through a diversified funding model that strives for financial stability and program sustainability. Our annual budget is supported by five primary revenue streams, creating a balanced approach that combines philanthropic support, government partnerships, and self-generated income. However, each year we are required to re-secure a significant portion of our budget from foundations and private donors. These foundation grants are not guaranteed and we can only rely to a limited extent on government and municipal support, which varies from year to year. We can depend with greater confidence on our self-generated income streams and our private endowments, which provide the most stable foundation for our long-term planning and operations. PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS & DONORS - 57.5% Our philanthropic support comes from a diverse community of foundations and individual donors who believe in our educational mission: Private Foundations (36.8%): Israeli Foundations: *Major Israeli Foundations and partners providing core operational support, including: -Main institutional grants for general operations -Dedicated orchestra programs support -Concert series funding *Leading Israeli philanthropic institutions supporting educational excellence and cultural development International Foundations: *Prominent international foundations supporting program expansion and global outreach *Educational grant foundations specifically targeting gifted student programs *Strategic institutional supporters investing in Israel's cultural future These foundations recognize the JMC's role as a leading cultural institution and invest in our mission to nurture Israel's next generation of classical musicians. Private Donors (20.7%): Overseas Donations (USA, Europe: Switzerland, Germany, England) *International foundations and private donors. Local Private Donors (Israel): *Israeli individual donors - Domestic contributors forming a vital part of our support base *Local business leaders - Israeli entrepreneurs and executives investing in national cultural assets Donor Engagement Programs: *"Adopt a Musician" program - Personal sponsorship initiative connecting donors directly with students *Corporate sponsorships of concerts and events GOVERNMENT & MUNICIPAL SUPPORT - 11.1% Strategic partnerships with government entities provide essential institutional backing: Municipal Partnership: *Jerusalem Municipality - Significant support in recognition of our role as a premier cultural institution in the capital National Government Support: *Ministry of Culture - Supporting our contribution to Israel's cultural landscape *Ministry of Education - Funding for gifted student programs, recognizing our educational excellence *Public Trustee - Estate allocations dedicated to arts education SELF-GENERATED INCOME - 18.4% Our self-sufficiency efforts demonstrate financial responsibility and community engagement: Student Participation Fees: *Educational program fees - Families investing in their children's musical education *Sliding scale available to ensure accessibility regardless of economic background Concert Revenue: *Subscription series and individual concert sales - Revenue from our professional concert series *Young Philharmonic performances - Income from orchestra concerts at prestigious venues, creating community-engagement while generating sustainable revenue. Facility Services: *Hall and studio rentals - Income from renting our world-class facilities *Recording services - Professional recording capabilities for external clients PROJECT MANAGEMENT SERVICES - 7.7% The JMC serves as a trusted partner for national educational initiatives: *Ministry of Education National Projects - Professional project management services providing substantial additional revenue *Leveraging our expertise in music education to support nationwide programs *Creating additional revenue while advancing music education across Israel PRIVATE FOUNDATION ENDOWMENTS - 5.3% Our endowment funds from private foundations provide long-term financial stability through family foundations that have chosen to connect their heritage and legacy with the excellence and distinction that represent the Jerusalem Music Centre. The Jerusalem Music is a home for Excellence, Education, Community and Classical Values. In these difficult times – fundraising for such purposes may seem challenging, yet – we remain most committed to these values as we know that those are the backbone of a healthy society, resilience and hope for a better future, for Israeli society including all sectors — Jews, Arabs; Religious, Secular. Music Hugs them All.

Area of Impact

• Israel
• Abroad, general