Our History
Making a Difference since 2002!
PMAC opened with a handful of students. Today, over 600 people pass through our doors weekly! Check out the visual overview of our growth and accomplishments.
20
02
PMAC is officially founded on November 15, 2002 by Russ Grazier, Jr., Katie Grazier, and Wendell Purrington in response to a call in the city of Portsmouth’s 2002 Cultural Plan for the “development of an independent community music school.”
20
03
In March, the New Horizons Band holds its first rehearsal at Portsmouth High School with 12 students present. In October, PMAC officially begins operations at 75 Albany St. with a total of 39 students.
20
04
The first annual “Concert of Thanksgiving” is held featuring the New Horizons Band. PMAC holds a corresponding food drive to benefit local charities. Enrollment grows to 150 students.
20
06
The first youth rock summer camp launches. PMAC establishes a visual arts department with support from the NH Charitable Foundation. Enrollment grows to more than 200 students.
20
08
The first “Jazz Night” faculty concert is held at West End Studio Theatre. PMAC kicks off its inaugural Spring Fever for the Arts Gala to raise money for programming.
20
09
The PMAC Tuition-Aid Fund is established. PMAC begins searching for a new home.
20
12
973 Islington Street is identified as our future home and PMAC is awarded a $500,000 tax credit grant from the NH Community Development Finance Authority to partially fund the project.
20
13
PMAC receives a lead gift from the Thomas Haas Fund of the NH Charitable Foundation, part of a $1 million Campaign for PMAC’s Future. Construction begins in the fall.
20
14
PMAC moves into 973 Islington Street and receives a $100,000 grant from Jane’s Trust to grow programming in the new building. Enrollment exceeds 500 students.
20
17
The free community concert series “Guitar Sundays,” a collaboration between PMAC, the Portsmouth Public Library, and the Boston Classical Guitar Society, launches. Sandpiper’s Children Chorus (est.1993) merges with PMAC. PMAC grows to more than 800 students.
20
20
PMAC pivots to online learning in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and simultaneously launches PMAC PLAY, an online music education program. PMAC receives a Nonprofit Emergency Relief Fund grant, an AFTA grant, and a PPP loan to assist in navigating the crisis.
20
21
Summer Under the PMAC Tent provides community youth with the opportunity to attend five weeks of safe art and music summer camps outside under a 40’x60’ tent in the PMAC parking lot. Many corporate sponsors, individual donors, and foundation grants support the program.
20
22
PMAC celebrates 20 years. A grant from the Foundation for Seacoast Health supports subsidized tuition costs for adults ages 65+ who enroll in music ensembles—an effort to combat social isolation in older adults.
20
23
The Board of Directors creates PMAC’s fifth Strategic Plan, with a focus on community connections, long-term financial strength, expanding programming to meet rising demands, and building a more inclusive organization. More than 1,000 students enroll in PMAC programs.
20
24
PMAC brings Grammy Award-winning artists Adonis Rose and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra to Portsmouth for an unprecedented week of jazz education with local students. They also performed at Spring Fever for the Arts 2024 at Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club, PMAC’s most successful fundraising event to date.
