The Academy of Music

Our Sponsors

At the Academy of Music, our sponsors are the heartbeat of our vibrant community, providing essential support that allows us to deliver extraordinary performances and enriching experiences. Their commitment to the arts empowers us to celebrate creativity, foster diversity, and nurture talent within our historic theatre. Together, we create a space where stories come alive, and we are deeply grateful for their partnership on this artistic journey, ensuring that the magic of live performance continues to thrive in downtown Northampton.

Season Series Sponsors

A critical thread in the fabric of the Firm is the Select Equity Group Foundation. The mission of the Foundation is to make a positive impact by actively engaging all employees in identifying and supporting charitable organizations of excellence. Our primary grantmaking program has been 100% democratic and inclusive since the Foundation was established in 2000 when the Firm had only six full-time employees. Today, our annual grantmaking process is more personal and diligent than ever. The breadth of our philanthropic portfolio reflects the diverse interests of our employee base, while the quality of our chosen grantees reflects our rigorous research process, including an application by invitation, site visits and discussions with leadership before an award can be considered. We strive to align our philanthropic endeavors with our equity research efforts, which are defined by generating and researching ideas internally, identifying great businesses and knowing them better than anyone.

The Foundation supports a wide variety of charitable programs, including an arts initiative, SEG Voices, and a unique employee matching gift program. To date, more than $17 million in grants have been awarded to local, national and international not-for-profit organizations in the areas of Advocacy and Civil Rights, Arts and Culture, Education and Youth Development, Environmental Causes, Health, Human Services and International Development.

Show Sponsors

Joseph Whalen founded Whalen Insurance in 1961. His son, Peter, joined him in 1982 and today serves as the agency’s President. Over the years, they have assembled a great team of insurance professionals. Together, they have a combined 200 years of experience helping people in Hampshire, Hampden, and Franklin counties . Their office has been located at 71 King Street in Downtown Northampton for over 30 years, and they plan to be there for many more.

Insurance is a critical purchase. Learning more about your individual needs and preferences enables them to recommend the coverage, and an insurance company, that is appropriate for the risks you face. Whalen Insurance provides home, business and auto coverage and they represent several companies in order to offer their clients many options.

Smith College educates women of promise for lives of distinction and purpose. A college of and for the world, Smith links the power of the liberal arts to excellence in research and scholarship, thereby developing engaged global citizens and leaders to address society’s challenges.

Today the college continues to benefit from a dynamic relationship between innovation and tradition. And while Smith’s basic curriculum of the humanities, arts and sciences still flourishes, the college continues to respond to the new intellectual needs of today’s women—offering majors or interdepartmental programs in engineering, the study of women and gender, neuroscience, film and media studies, Middle East studies, statistical and data sciences and other emerging fields. Were Sophia Smith to revisit Northampton, she would no doubt find her vision realized, as students at her college prepare themselves for exemplary lives of service and leadership.

Greenfield Cooperative Bank, and its Northampton Cooperative Bank division, have been serving the local community for over 100 years. GCB started in Franklin County in 1905, and NCB has been of service since 1889 in Hampshire County.

As a community bank, founded on cooperative principles and neighborly values, they are dedicated to giving back to local and nonprofit organizations.

Since 1869 Greenfield Savings Bank has stayed true to its mission to provide a secure place for local residents to save and to access financial products and resources. All of our decisions are based on long-term thinking and our commitment to exceptional service to our customers. We also recognize our responsibility to be a positive force in our communities banking. That is why we are a leader in supporting local non-profits both financially and through the volunteer efforts of our directors and employees. We believe that giving back moves us forward. This is why banking locally with GSB helps make our community better.

New England Public Media

New England Public Media is the region’s destination for NPR, PBS and all things local. From original storytelling to trusted journalism, outstanding kids shows to live events, NEPM is here to inform and inspire you. NEPM is proud to co-produce Valley Voice Story Slams with the Academy of Music Theatre. Visit nepm.org or follow us on social media to find schedules, stream our stations live, and find out about our next local event.