The Helen E. Hagan Project

Exceptional composer, pianist, and New Haven resident Helen Eugenia Hagan premiered her stirring Piano Concerto with your Symphony in 1912. In that same year, she became the first Black woman to graduate from Yale when she received a degree from the Yale School of Music. We celebrate Helen’s legacy by supporting the blossoming careers of underrepresented musicians, conductors, arts administrators, and board leaders through the Harmony Fellowship program. 

Your investment will help us elevate Helen’s legacy, further the careers of promising artists and arts leaders of color following in her footsteps, and inspire future generations.

Support the Harmony Fellowship for Underrepresented Arts Administrators 

Administrative Harmony Fellows work directly with the NHSO’s administrative team. These Fellowships help promising arts leaders build the tools and skills required to advance their careers in the arts. Fellowships are tailored to the needs of each Fellow to help them achieve their professional goals.

To see some of our Fellows’ incredible work, click HERE to explore an interactive educational tool created by former Administrative Fellow, Jasmine Bailey.

If you need personal assistance with a gift please call (203) 865-0831 ext. 118.

Early Successes for The Helen E. Hagan Project!

We’re excited to announce with the support of NHSO’s Board and donors like you, two of our Harmony Fellowships have been fully funded. In our 2021-2022 season, the first Harmony Fellowship for Underrepresented Cellists was endowed through the Helen E. Hagan Fund for Underrepresented Musicians. This Fellowship provides opportunities for emerging orchestra professionals to perform with the NHSO, receive vital career development training, and present workshops for children in New Haven Public Schools.

With continued support from our community and Board, we successfully endowed the Harmony Fund for Underrepresented Conductors in July of 2023. The Conductor Fellowship is a career-building, professional development, and mentorship opportunity for young, underrepresented conductors. This program offers access to the Symphony and its resources and helps to bridge the gap for young conductors between working as freelance musicians to becoming Music Directors. The time spent within the organization, and on the podium working with NHSO’s musicians, provides invaluable training for success in this field.

Helen E. Hagan (1891-1964)

1891

Helen Eugenia Hagan is born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Raised in New Haven, she is educated in the New Haven Public Schools. Helen’s first piano teacher is her mother, Mary Estella Neal Hagan.

1901

Serves as the organist at Dixwell Avenue Congregational United Church of Christ, New Haven (a 9 year-old prodigy).

1912

Performs as a soloist on her own Piano Concerto in C Minor on May 23, 1912 with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra conducted by Horatio Parker at Woolsey Hall. Hagan becomes the first known Black woman to play with the Symphony and to earn a degree from Yale University.

1914

Graduates from Schola Cantorum following two years of study with Vincent d’Indy supported by Yale’s Samuel Simons Sanford scholarship. Returns to the U.S. to begin a successful career as a concert pianist, paving the way for other women and performers of color as she achieves numerous firsts as a black woman.

1919

General John Pershing calls on Hagan to serve her country by entertaining Black troops in France following the Armistice that suspended combat operations of World War One. One of the only Black artists sent to France, she is dubbed “the Darling of the Doughboys.” She returns to the U.S. and continues her concert career a year later.

1921

Earns the distinction of being the first Black musician to perform a solo recital at Aeolian hall in New York City.

1931

Having run a successful private music studio for many years, Hagan becomes the first Black woman admitted to the Morristown Chamber of Commerce.

1935

Establishes and operates music studio in Harlem, New York City.

1940s – 50s

Continues performing late in life. Works as a choir director and organist in New York City.

1964

Dies in New York City and is buried beside her parents in New Haven, CT’s Evergreen Cemetery. Unmarked until 2016, a new gravestone dedicated by then Mayor Toni Harp reads: Helen Eugenia Hagan, 1891 – 1964, Composer – Pianist – Teacher.

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