Benefactors

Jon H. Rieger

This New Music Festival honors the memory of Professor Jon H. Rieger.  Jon was a member of the Sociology faculty for 49 years and a champion of the School of Music during his entire tenure at UofL.  His interests both within and outside of his professional discipline were many (too many to recount, even) and he had a particular love for contemporary classical music.  He was at innumerable concerts, always had strong opinions, owned a formidable music collection and was a regular member of the final judging panel for the Grawemeyer Award for Music Composition.

A man who lived modestly (except perhaps for a slightly extravagant taste for good bourbon), he was a generous supporter of the arts in Louisville, with a special interest in helping young artists during their training and early parts of their careers.  One of his last acts of kindness was a generous endowment to provide funding for this New Music Festival for the foreseeable future, one of his many contributions to the School of Music.

It is our honor to name it in his memory.