Print this pageThe A.N. and Pearl G. Barnett Family Foundation
We are saddened to share with you the tragic news of the departure of our beloved founder and president, Dr. Marjorie C. Barnett, on April 2, 2009. She will live on through her legacy of supporting and developing the talents of young classical musicians and furthering clinical research in Hematology.
A Memorial Service is scheduled to be held on Monday, June 8, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. at The Arts Club of Chicago (201 East Ontario Street, Chicago, Illinois).
Contributions may be made in memory of Dr. Marjorie Barnett to:
The A.N. and Pearl G. Barnett Foundation
300 West Adams Street, Suite 424
Chicago, IL 60606
In sympathy,
The Board of Directors and Staff
About The A.N. and Pearl G. Barnett Family Foundation
The A.N. and Pearl G. Barnett Family Foundation henceforth referred to as “The Barnett Foundation” or “The Foundation” was incorporated in 1989 as a privately funded not-for-profit charitable 501(c)(3) entity whose purpose was to underwrite research in medicine and psychoanalysis. In 1997, a second initiative was organized to foster the careers of young classical musicians. Specifically, a competition has been organized and held in the spring of each year featuring a different instrument.
Participation in the Barnett Foundation Competition is by invitation only. Candidates are selected by a number of distinguished nominators who themselves are recommended by our Artistic Advisor. Those nominated submit recordings of specified audition materials to judges called from an alternate list of first rank top musicians involved with the same instrument. Each of the three or four finalists is assigned a date on which to perform a live private recital—attended by a privately selected audience in a private residence in Chicago, with three finalist judges in attendance. Each candidate and accompanist is given a performance fee. For the winner(s) there is a cash award plus performance opportunities.
We are happy to report that our winners (and participants) have made significant professional advancement, some of which can be attributed to the publicity, audience exposure and performance opportunities provided by participating in the competition.
For the past three years, The Foundation has commissioned works to be learned and performed by all contestants. In 2006, the commissioned piece for voice and piano was Dirge with Music by composer Kenn Kumpf. For 2007 Flute Competition, composer Yao Chen wrote Sotto Voce for flute and piano. Theresa Martin was selected as the composer for 2008. Her piece for clarinet and piano is entitled Growth Spurt. Separate prizes are offered for the best-realized performance of the new work.
The most recent initiative of The Barnett Foundation in music has been the creation of the “Barnett Foundation Chamber Music Fellowship.” The foundation will identify emerging existing professional chamber ensembles that have the potential for successful careers. We are interested in fostering the growth of young chamber musicians in many combinations: trios, quartets, quintets, with or without pianos; composers of chamber works; and vocal soloists.
