Morses visit the Morse Academy

Enid and Lester Morse ’51 today visited the School of Music to attend a concert by students in the Morse Summer Music Academy.

After performances by a clarinet ensemble, a saxophone quintet, and a solo flutist, the audience heard something new: Academy student Jose Meza had written a piece dedicated to the Morses, to thank them for their generosity in founding the program.

Meza, a trumpet player, performed the piece and then presented a framed score to Mr. and Mrs. Morse.

After the concert, students lined up eagerly to meet Mr. and Mrs.  Morse.

Today marked the third day of the 2011 session, and one student performer remarked that she had "already learned so much."

Founded in 2010, the Morse Summer Music Academy provides free, comprehensive music instruction to New Haven Public School music students. In the intensive, four-week program, each student has a weekly private lesson and takes part in scheduled daily individual practice, ensemble rehearsals, workshops, and master classes. Students perform weekly in Sprague Hall, enjoy a field trip to the Yale’s Summer School of Music in Norfolk, Conn., and visit places such as the Yale Collection of Musical Instruments.

Click here for an article on the first summer of the Morse Academy.

Below is a slideshow of photos from today's concert.