1959
The listing in the New York Herald Tribune on April 15, 1959, provides a specific look at the early academic and performing career of Max Neuhaus at the Manhattan School of Music (MSM).
MSM Percussion Ensemble: Neuhaus was a key member of the Manhattan School of Music's pioneering Percussion Ensemble, led by his mentor Paul Price. Price was influential in establishing percussion as a soloistic and ensemble medium on par with traditional strings or woodwinds.
During this 1959 period, the ensemble performed works that were radical for the time, including compositions by Lou Harrison and Michael Colgrass. These concerts frequently took place in MSM's Hubbard Auditorium Max Neuhaus Performance Archive.
Formative Year: 1959 was a turning point for Neuhaus. It was the year he met John Cage, whose influence prompted him to commit to a career as a professional percussionist