April 27, a six-concert Bach/Handel festival, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the birth of the composers, began with an all-Handel program of Israel in Egypt and Concerto Grosso in F Major, Op. 6, No. 2. The festival continued through May 4 and ended with a performance of Bach's St. Matthew Passion. Among the performers were the Chorus of the Oratorio Society, the Boy Choristers of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, the Juilliard Orchestra, and soloists Ernest Hutcheson, Albert Stoessel, Georges Barrère, Viola Peters, Josephine Antoine, and Risë Stevens.

April 1, faculty and students established a Juilliard Civilian Defense Council "in view of the increasing seriousness of the war situation." The council coordinated safety measures such as appointing air-raid wardens, organizing fire brigades, and planning first-aid procedures in the event New York was attacked. Beyond Juilliard April 13 marked the 200th anniversary of the premiere of Handel's Messiah in Dublin, Ireland.

Pina Bausch and Koert Stuyf in the premiere of Antony Tudor's A Choreographer Comments, 1960. Photo by Impact Photos Inc. April 9, the Juilliard Dance Ensemble premiered Antony Tudor's A Choreographer Comments, set to Schubert's Octet in F Major, D. 803, and divided into 10 sections called "Comments," each based on a particular dance movement such as "587 Arabesques," "224 Jétés," "184 Turns," and "1 Pas de chat." Pina Bausch, Chieko Kikuchi, Jennifer Masley, Koert Stuyf, Michal Imber, and Benjamin Heller were among the dancers. Beyond Juilliard April 27, Martha Graham's Acrobats of God was given its New York premiere. Former Juilliard faculty members Graham, Helen McGehee, Mary Hinkson, Bertram Ross, and alumnus Paul Taylor were among the performers.

April 18, actor Martin Balsam spoke with Drama Division students.

Jeni Dahmus is Juilliard’s archivist.