American Beethoven Society

The American Beethoven Society (ABS) is a non-profit corporation whose mission is to celebrate the achievements of Beethoven, to nurture a community of those interested in Beethoven, and to build and support a collection of Beethoven materials at the Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies at San Jose State University. The society supports and presents events in downtown San Jose including: an annual competition for high-school pianists; free concerts, lectures, and museum-quality exhibits at the Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies; concerts and recitals by major international artists; and other community events such as a Beethoven Ball featuring live orchestra and dancing.

The ABS has an annual budget around $100K. Funds are raised from donations, grants, and sales of merchandise. Expenses include purchases of manuscripts and other items related to Beethoven, staff salaries, costs of fundraising activities, costs of concerts, competitions, and masterclasses sponsored by the ABS, merchandise, office expenses, etc.  The offices of the ABS are on the fifth floor of the MLK Library in downtown San Jose.