ANNABELLE PRAGER

PRAGER--Annabelle Forsch, died peacefully at her home on January 25th, a few days shy of her 99th birthday. Annabelle was a pioneer in the field of music education for children, and visionary founder and heart and soul of the InterSchool Orchestras of New York, which she led for almost fifty years.

Her innovative ideas were as dynamic as they were endless. She was a creative force; original, imaginative, unstoppable.

She was born in Manhattan, went all the way through the Lincoln School of Teachers College, Sweet Briar College, and did her graduate studies at The Yale School of Art. She began her career working as an artist and illustrator, before finding her voice as a writer, authoring four widely acclaimed children's books.

In 1972, she discovered budget cuts in the arts had created an urgent need for children who had almost no access to music education, or playing ensemble music. In response, she created the ISO, which quickly blossomed into a network of eight ensembles throughout the five boroughs, generating music opportunities for New York's public and private school youngsters, regardless of financial ability. Her motto was, "Every child should have access to high quality music. Just as high quality music belongs in every school!"

Annabelle valued original ideas and encouraged creative thinking. She made a powerful impact on generations of children.

We will remember her passion for young people, music, the arts, and wonderful food, as well as her indefatigable curiosity and relentless support for relatives and friends.

Annabelle was married for 38 years to the late David A. Prager, a prominent lawyer and urban planning activist. She is survived by her children, Jonathan Forsch Prager and Lucy Eden Prager, her son in law Benjamin Weintraub, and her grandchildren, Samuel Albert Weintraub and Emily Sara Weintraub.

Contributions in her honor may be made by visiting http://isoatthirdstreet.org/