Donor Spotlight: James A. D’Addario ’72 and the D’Addario Community Music Appreciation Initiative

The D’Addario Community Music Appreciation Initiative, established at Hofstra in the summer of 2011, is a multifaceted program designed to increase knowledge and appreciation for all types of music among a broad range of young people. The initiative addresses several needs at Hofstra and in the local community: It promotes music appreciation, showcases the student and faculty talent of the Hofstra Music Department, and creates opportunities for Hofstra’s music ensembles to visit and perform at local schools and other community venues.

Over the 2011-2012 academic year, the Initiative helped fund the February 2 concert, A Ride on the Underground Railroad, and the May 5 D’Addario Music Appreciation Concert (see page 47), which featured the talents of Hofstra students, faculty and alumni, as well as high school talent from the local community. The Initiative also allowed students from the Hofstra University Chamber Choir, directed by Hofstra Associate Professor of Music David Fryling, to embark on a five-state concert and teaching tour during spring break in April.

The D’Addario Initiative permitted Hofstra’s professional ensembles-in-residence – The American Chamber Ensemble and Hofstra String Orchestra – to perform for and work with students at three Long Island high schools. Hofstra Adjunct Assistant Professor of Music Christopher Morrongiello brought his Hofstra student Madrigal Group to two local libraries where they performed selections of seasonal early music. Additionally, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Music Laurie Friedman-Adler led a group of faculty and students to LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in Queens, NY, where they performed the Mozart Serenade in Eb for Wind Octet and taught a master class.

James A. D’Addario ’72 is chairman and CEO of D’Addario & Co., which manufactures musical accessories and is the world’s leading manufacturer of musical instrument strings, reeds for woodwinds, and drumheads. Mr. D’Addario received the 2002 Small Business Association’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award and is listed as the inventor on many musical patents. In a 2007 interview with Hofstra Magazine, he said, “Midway through my college career, preparing to be a music teacher, the lure of our family business made me change my career plans, and I considered dropping out of college. It was through the encouragement of my professors, and particularly Herb Deutsch [Hofstra Class of 1956 and professor emeritus of music], that I realized the significance of the educational opportunity I was receiving at Hofstra.”

Mr. D’Addario is a recipient of a 2007 Award for Alumni Achievement from Hofstra.

Posted in: D'Addario Community Music Appreciation Initiative,Donor Spotlight,James A. D'Addario