Description: (Music patron)
Jeannette Thurber made significant contributions to classical music patronage in the United States. In 1885, she established the National Conservatory of Music of America, where she emphasized the development of an American sound in orchestral music. Thurber was a strong advocate for the inclusion of women, people of color, and the handicapped at her racially integrated school. She played a key role in bringing composer Antonín Dvořák to the U.S. and supported American musicians in cultivating their music. Thurber's commitment to music education and her innovative approach solidified her as a trailblazer in American music history.