Merkin Concert Hall's unparalleled acoustics, intimate scale and innovative programming have earned it a reputation as one of New York City's finest concert venues, renowned for presentations such as "New Sounds® Live," "The Listening Room," "Tuesday Matinees" and its newer series, "Broadway Close Up." In 1997, the Kaufman Center was awarded the ASCAP/Chamber Music America first prize for Adventurous Programming, and in 1998, Aaron Jay Kernis won a Pulitzer Prize for his second string quartet that was commissioned for and premiered on the Kaufman Center series, "Zoom: Composers Close Up." In 2000-01, Merkin Hall collaborated with local cellist Fred Sherry and The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center on the highly-acclaimed mega-festival celebrating New York composers, "A Great Day in New York." The project won an ASCAP Concert Music Award in 2001. And in January 2002, Merkin Hall was again honored by ASCAP/Chamber Music America with an award for Adventurous Programming. A division of the Kaufman Center, Merkin Hall is located in the award-winning Goodman House.