NEW YORK — “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” is a cherished melody resounding throughout baseball parks each summer, lifting fans from their seats for the beloved 7th-inning stretch. However, beyond this routine is a legacy of fostering musical talent that extends far beyond the confines of ballparks. Over a century since Jack Norworth wrote its lyrics, the song continues to resonate through the ASCAP Foundation, marking 50 years of nurturing young artists, including many behind contemporary hit musicals.
Founded in 1975 with royalties from Norworth’s estate, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers’ charitable division has played a pivotal role in supporting emerging musicians at various career stages. According to Paul Williams, the president of the ASCAP Foundation and an acclaimed composer-lyricist, the foundation arose from the echoes of a song, underscoring its crucial support in an industry often characterized by artists balancing multiple jobs while striving to captivate the right audience.
With “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” entering the public domain and ceasing to generate royalties, the foundation has adapted by sourcing funds from philanthropies, corporate sponsors, and public donations. Esteemed supporters like the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation and the reputable New York law firm Paul Weiss back its mission. Generous songwriters such as Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller, and Herb Alpert have endowed scholarships and awards, with iconic names like “Hello, Dolly!” composer Jerry Herman and “Tea for Two” lyricist Irving Ceasar also contributing to the foundation’s coffers through bequests.
As arts funding dwindles and reports indicate many children are deprived of music education, the ASCAP Foundation is extending its reach to underserved communities. Last year’s initiatives touched nearly 60,000 K-12 students, offering guitar lessons to New York summer campers and facilitating visits to Broadway-level productions. Collaborations with organizations like Harlem Grown introduce youth to instruments like the djembe, a traditional West African drum.
In 2023, tax filings revealed the foundation allocated over $325,000 in grants for scholarships, fellowships, and awards. Celebrated songwriter Emily Bear, a recipient of one of their young composer awards at the age of five, credits the foundation for seriously acknowledging her talent early in her career. Fundraisers like the June 10 event hosted at Tony-winning composer Adam Guettel’s Manhattan home further highlight this continued dedication to artistic development.
This year, composer Stephen Schwartz received the ASCAP Foundation Champion Award, acknowledging the foundation’s role as a support pillar while governmental backing of the arts declines. Schwartz continues to nurture emerging talent at events like the ASCAP Foundation’s Musical Theatre Fest in Los Angeles, linking participants with Hollywood studios and offering them feedback from industry giants.
For creatives like Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, this support has been instrumental. The duo behind “Dear Evan Hansen” cited the foundation’s impact in forging a crucial relationship with Schwartz, turning what seemed a distant dream into tangible reality. For Schwartz, sharing guidance with newcomers is both a way to ease their journey and a personal delight as it allows him to witness and enjoy budding talents.
In essence, the ASCAP Foundation not only instills financial and mentorship support but also ensures the musical community continues to flourish, bolstering aspiring songwriters and composers as they reach for the stars in a world where every note counts.