The Presser Foundation has announced that James Blachly will receive the 2012 Graduate Presser Music Award.

This award program is designed to encourage and support a truly exceptional graduate music student who has the potential to make a distinguished contribution to the field of music. As the 2012 Graduate Presser Music Award, Mr. Blachly will attend the “International Conducting Workshop and Festival” in the Czech Republic this summer, as well as organize a benefit concert in New York City for young musicians living in the Lower Ninth Ward. James is currently a first-year MM student in Orchestral Conducting and studies with Professor Donald Schleicher.