Performances + Events John T. Hsu Scholarship Fund
“I am grateful to have had a life full of music"
An artist, scholar, teacher, and a remarkably generous man, John T. Hsu is recognized as one of the leading pioneers in the period instrument movement and a performer who thrilled audiences for decades with his artistry, expressiveness, and eloquence. As a grateful recipient of a 1711 Tecchler cello, Hsu understood the enormous impact such a beautiful instrument could have on a promising young musician. He donated the Tecchler cello to NEC in 1999 “so that future deserving cello students would have the opportunity to develop their art and expand their musical imagination.”
In this spirit, his wife, Martha R. Hsu, established a bequest by naming NEC as a beneficiary of her IRA. These funds will endow the John T. Hsu Scholarship Fund, continuing Mr. Hsu's legacy and ensuring that NEC’s tradition of musical excellence endures.
“His gratitude was from the heart,” Martha Hsu explains. “He was very mindful about giving back, of recognizing the help he had gotten along the way and wanting to help others the way he was helped.” Recognized as an Outstanding Alumni, Hsu earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at NEC, and in 1971 Gunther Schuller awarded him the Honorary Doctorate alongside Arthur Fiedler and Coretta Scott King. This scholarship in his name is truly meaningful, as Hsu recalled his time in Boston as “full of marvels.”
Claire Deokyong Kim ’21 performs with the 1711 Tecchler Cello donated to NEC by John T. Hsu.
Additional Giving Options
By making a planned gift, you can strengthen NEC and gain financial and tax benefits for you and your family. For more information, please contact Aaron McGarry, Planned Giving Officer, by email or by phone at 617-585-1356.
Real estate can be contributed as an outright gift or to finance a planned gift. Available options include a retained life estate, which allows the donor to continue to use the property for a certain number of years, or for the donor’s lifetime. Other arrangements offer special tax advantages and lifetime income.
Gifts of real estate include undeveloped land, a residence, a vacation home, a farm, or commercial property. NEC requires the donor to bear certain costs when making a real estate gift, such as an appraisal to determine the fair market value. Also, NEC deducts transaction costs from the proceeds of the sale of the property, including the closing costs, title insurance, a survey (if needed), and any taxes due before the gift is completed.
For any questions about gifts of real estate, please contact Abigail Smitka, Assistant Vice President of Major Gifts and Campaigns, at as3628@necmusic.edu or (617) 585-1719.
Many companies support the philanthropic interests of their employees by matching employee contributions to nonprofit organizations like NEC. If your employer offers a matching gift program, you may be able to double or even triple your gift!
For more information on matching gift contributions, please contact Cheryl Fries, Assistant Director of Advancement Operations, at cheryl.fries@necmusic.edu or (617) 585-1373.
Gifts of personal property, such as musical instruments, recordings, and scores provide valuable support for our music education programs. Through the support of in-kind gifts, you can help NEC meet the college’s ongoing need to expand its inventory — and you qualify for a tax deduction.
NEC accepts in-kind donations on a case-by-case basis. For more information, please contact Patricia Kopko, Director of Advancement Operations, by email or phone at 617-585-1225
Friends of NEC may elect to make gifts to commemorate a loved one’s life, birthday, anniversary, or other special occasion. We will gladly notify those you wish to know of any gifts made in their honor.
Contributions in any amount may be directed to The NEC Fund, or to the area of your choice. Please note the name of the person you wish to commemorate when you make your gift.
Contact Us
To learn more about how you can support NEC, please contact Cheryl Fries, Assistant Director of Advancement Operations, at cheryl.fries@necmusic.edu or (617) 585-1373.
New England Conservatory is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. Our non-profit tax ID is 23-7225104.
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