The American Prize is pleased to announce composer semi-finalists for 2013 in the band and chamber music categories.
(For choral and orchestra semi-finalists, please scroll down to the previous post.)
"A significant number of candidates in each division made the preliminary cut,"
commented chief judge David Katz. "As we begin to move towards selecting
finalists, and ultimately the winners and runners-up in each division,
it will surely prove to be a very tight and exciting race, and a difficult final choice for our judges. The depth of talent on display is truly impressive."
To know the exact day and time when finalists will be announced, please "like" our Facebook page, where the information will be posted.
The American Prize in Composition—Band, Professional Division
David Avshalomov Santa Monica CA
Jesse Ayers Canton OH
Sy Brandon Cottonwood AZ
Samuel A. Livingston Hopewell NJ
Daniel McCarthy Akron OH
Lansing McLoskey Miami FL
Darren Mitchell Kirkland WA
David P. Sartor Hermitage TN
Aleksander Sternfeld-Dunn Wichita KS
George Sweet Piedmont SC
The American Prize in Composition—Band, Student Division
Viet Cuong Marietta GA
Jae Lee Johns Creek GA
David Clay Mettens Covington KY
Maya Nag Saratoga CA
The American Prize in Composition—Chamber, Professional Division
David Avshalomov Santa Monica CA
Greg Bartholomew Seattle WA
Jeremy Beck Louisville KY
Sy Brandon Cottonwood AZ
Oliver Caplan Somerville MA
Luke Cissell Memphis IN
I'Lana S. Cotton Medford OR
Michael Deak Gig Harbor WA
Nicholas DeMaison Brooklyn NY
Nancy Bloomer Deussen Mountain View CA
Duilio Dobrin Traverse City MI
Matthew H. Fields Ann Arbor MI
Tan Hainu Boston MA
Christopher T.F. Hanson San Marcos TX
David Heuser Potsdam NY
Doron Kima Albany CA
Joseph Koykkar Madison WI
Patricia Leonard New York NY
Samuel A. Livingston Hopewell NJ
Patricia Elizabeth Martinez Buenos Aires Argentina
Daniel McCarthy Akron OH
Lansing McLoskey Miami FL
William Popp Loveland CO
William Price Birmingham AL
Blake Ragghianti Pittsburgh PA
Clement Reid Tacoma WA
David P. Sartor Hermitage TN
Andrew Sigler Austin TX
Richard S. Silverman Brooklyn NY
Bradley Sowash Columbus OH
Greg A. Steinke Depoe Bay OR
Noah D. Taylor Louisville KY
Waddy Thompson New York NY
The American Prize in Composition—Chamber, Student Division
Cody Brookshire Gainesville GA
Trevor Bumgarner Newton NC
Rodrigo Bussad Cesar Miami FL
Chin Ting Chan Kansas City MO
Alex Cooke Cleveland Heights OH
Peter Neil Dayton III Terrace Park OH
Melissa Dunphy Philadelphia PA
Joseph Gregorio West Chester PA
Tan Hainu Boston MA
John Hennecken Marinez GA
Gleb Kanasevich Sykesfille MD
Seul-Ki Kim Atlanta GA
Shuying Li Hartford CT
Yangzhi Ma New York NY
Tudor Dominik Maican Bethesda MD
Arash Majd Northridge CA
Gillian Menichino Manchester UK
Elizabeth Nonemaker Baltimore MD
Rongxin Peng New York NY
Liza Sobel Cresskill NJ
Scott Steele Kansas City MO
Kyle Vanderburg Norman OK
Yiguo Yan Waltham MA
Saturday, March 30, 2013
COMPOSER semi-finalists, 2013: orchestra and chorus
The American Prize is pleased to announce composer semi-finalists for 2013 in the orchestra and choral categories.
"A significant number of candidates in each division made the preliminary cut," commented chief judge David Katz. "As we begin to move towards selecting finalists, and ultimately the winners and runners-up in each division, it will surely prove to be a very tight and exciting race, and a difficult final choice for our judges. The depth of talent on display is truly impressive."
To know the exact day and time when finalists will be announced, please "like" our Facebook page, where the information will be posted.
The American Prize in Composition—Orchestra, Professional Division
Lee Actor Monte Sereno CA
Adrienne Albert Los Angeles CA
Donald L. Appert Vancouver WA
David Avshalomov Santa Monica CA
Jesse Ayers Canton OH
Jeremy Beck Louisville KY
Ofer Ben-Amots Colorado Springs CO
Robert W. Butts Rockaway, NJ
Mark Dal Porto Portales NM
Matthew H. Fields Ann Arbor MI
Jack Gallagher Wooster OH
Arthur Gottschalk Houston TX
David Heuser Potsdam NY
Kris Johnson Ferndale MI
Darin Lewis Stamford CT
Luke Mayernik Pittsburgh PA
Daniel McCarthy Akron OH
Blake Ronald Ragghianti Pittsburgh PA
Alessandra Salvati Miami FL
David P. Sartor Hermitage TN
Len Savoie Bethel CT
Kyle Simpson Pittsburgh PA
Andrew Smith Boston MA
Robert Tomaro Beloit WI
Michael Glenn Williams Newbury Park CA
The American Prize in Composition—Orchestra, Student Division
Christopher Chandler Rochester NY
James Craft San Francisco CA
Kyle Duffee Pueblo West CO
Michael-Thomas Foumai Ann Arbor MI
Joseph Gregorio West Chester PA
Sahil Jindal Dover NJ
Shuying Li Hartford CT
Ian Ng New York NY
Elizabeth Nonemaker Baltimore MD
Peter F. Nostrand Mason Neck VA
Geoffrey Pope Denver CO
Liza Sobel Cresskill NJ
Youngwoo Yoo Champaign IL
The American Prize in Composition—Choral, Professional Division
Jonathan Adams Jonesboro AR
Adrienne Albert Los Angeles CA
David Avshalomov Santa Monica CA
Greg Bartholomew Seattle WA
Doug Brandt New York NY
B.J. Brooks Canyon TX
Oliver Caplan Somerville MA
I'Lana S. Cotton Medford OR
David Crowe Lee MA
Rachel DeVore Fogarty Nashville TN
Raphael Fusco North Bergen NJ
Joseph J. Giallombardo Glenview IL
Brian Holmes San Jose CA
Chiwei (Jerry) Hui Madison WI
Mary Ann Joyce-Walter Airmont NY
Ryan Keebaugh Stephens City VA
Frank La Rocca Oakland CA
Susan LaBarr Cleveland TN
Elise Letourneau Orleans, ON Canada
Darin Lewis Stamford CT
David Lipten Tallahassee FL
Christopher Marshall Orlando FL
Luke Mayernik Pittsburgh PA
Daniel McCarthy Akron OH
Kathleen McGuire San Francisco CA
Margaret S. Meier Claremont CA
John Muehleisen Mukilteo WA
Stephen Murray Richmond MA
Sean Pflueger Burke VA
William Popp Loveland CO
Kathleen Ready Westwood MA
Richard Rice Alexandria VA
Paul John Rudoi Minneapolis MN
Jake Runestad Minneapolis MN
Jonathan Santore Plymouth NH
Ted Vives Los Alamos NM
Deanna Witkowski New York NY
The American Prize in Composition—Choral, Student Division
Jiyoun Chung Kansas City MO
Ezra Donner Bloomington IN
Luke Flynn Dubuque IA
Joseph Gregorio West Chester PA
John Hennecken Marinez GA
Elizabeth Lim New York NY
Brian Mark Holbrook NY
Gillian Menichino Manchester UK
Elena Desmond Nickel Fairfax VA
Timothy Roy Mission KS
Steven Serpa Coventry RI
Liza Sobel Cresskill NJ
"A significant number of candidates in each division made the preliminary cut," commented chief judge David Katz. "As we begin to move towards selecting finalists, and ultimately the winners and runners-up in each division, it will surely prove to be a very tight and exciting race, and a difficult final choice for our judges. The depth of talent on display is truly impressive."
To know the exact day and time when finalists will be announced, please "like" our Facebook page, where the information will be posted.
The American Prize in Composition—Orchestra, Professional Division
Lee Actor Monte Sereno CA
Adrienne Albert Los Angeles CA
Donald L. Appert Vancouver WA
David Avshalomov Santa Monica CA
Jesse Ayers Canton OH
Jeremy Beck Louisville KY
Ofer Ben-Amots Colorado Springs CO
Robert W. Butts Rockaway, NJ
Mark Dal Porto Portales NM
Matthew H. Fields Ann Arbor MI
Jack Gallagher Wooster OH
Arthur Gottschalk Houston TX
David Heuser Potsdam NY
Kris Johnson Ferndale MI
Darin Lewis Stamford CT
Luke Mayernik Pittsburgh PA
Daniel McCarthy Akron OH
Blake Ronald Ragghianti Pittsburgh PA
Alessandra Salvati Miami FL
David P. Sartor Hermitage TN
Len Savoie Bethel CT
Kyle Simpson Pittsburgh PA
Andrew Smith Boston MA
Robert Tomaro Beloit WI
Michael Glenn Williams Newbury Park CA
The American Prize in Composition—Orchestra, Student Division
Christopher Chandler Rochester NY
James Craft San Francisco CA
Kyle Duffee Pueblo West CO
Michael-Thomas Foumai Ann Arbor MI
Joseph Gregorio West Chester PA
Sahil Jindal Dover NJ
Shuying Li Hartford CT
Ian Ng New York NY
Elizabeth Nonemaker Baltimore MD
Peter F. Nostrand Mason Neck VA
Geoffrey Pope Denver CO
Liza Sobel Cresskill NJ
Youngwoo Yoo Champaign IL
The American Prize in Composition—Choral, Professional Division
Jonathan Adams Jonesboro AR
Adrienne Albert Los Angeles CA
David Avshalomov Santa Monica CA
Greg Bartholomew Seattle WA
Doug Brandt New York NY
B.J. Brooks Canyon TX
Oliver Caplan Somerville MA
I'Lana S. Cotton Medford OR
David Crowe Lee MA
Rachel DeVore Fogarty Nashville TN
Raphael Fusco North Bergen NJ
Joseph J. Giallombardo Glenview IL
Brian Holmes San Jose CA
Chiwei (Jerry) Hui Madison WI
Mary Ann Joyce-Walter Airmont NY
Ryan Keebaugh Stephens City VA
Frank La Rocca Oakland CA
Susan LaBarr Cleveland TN
Elise Letourneau Orleans, ON Canada
Darin Lewis Stamford CT
David Lipten Tallahassee FL
Christopher Marshall Orlando FL
Luke Mayernik Pittsburgh PA
Daniel McCarthy Akron OH
Kathleen McGuire San Francisco CA
Margaret S. Meier Claremont CA
John Muehleisen Mukilteo WA
Stephen Murray Richmond MA
Sean Pflueger Burke VA
William Popp Loveland CO
Kathleen Ready Westwood MA
Richard Rice Alexandria VA
Paul John Rudoi Minneapolis MN
Jake Runestad Minneapolis MN
Jonathan Santore Plymouth NH
Ted Vives Los Alamos NM
Deanna Witkowski New York NY
The American Prize in Composition—Choral, Student Division
Jiyoun Chung Kansas City MO
Ezra Donner Bloomington IN
Luke Flynn Dubuque IA
Joseph Gregorio West Chester PA
John Hennecken Marinez GA
Elizabeth Lim New York NY
Brian Mark Holbrook NY
Gillian Menichino Manchester UK
Elena Desmond Nickel Fairfax VA
Timothy Roy Mission KS
Steven Serpa Coventry RI
Liza Sobel Cresskill NJ
Friday, March 29, 2013
CHICAGO ORATORIO AWARD FINALISTS, 2013
The American Prize is pleased to announce the 2013 finalists for the Chicago Oratorio Award. Four of the listed individuals, one each of soprano, alto (mezzo), tenor and bass (baritone) will appear under the
baton of Maestro David Katz in concert with the Chicago Bar Association Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, performing Bruckner's Te Deum on May
15, 2013 at St James Episcopal Cathedral, Chicago.
Mr. Katz expects to complete the selection process early next week; winners will be contacted individually by email to accept their selection. After all four have responded positively, the winners will be announced on this blog.
This is the second year that the CBASO has used TAP to help select its vocal soloists, a process that is independent from the rest of The American Prize judging. You can read more about the CBASO, the unique musical ensemble made up entirely of members of Chicago's legal community, now in its 27th season: http://cbasymphonyandchorus.blogspot.com/
Semi-finalists for The American Prize Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Awards, 2013, will be announced here shortly.
2013 finalists for the Chicago Oratorio Award:
Rebekah Auyeung Frisco TX
Alyssa Bowlby Norwalk CT
Joan Marie Dauber Chicago IL
Joanna Dionis Brooklyn NY
Kristen Frost St. Louis MO
Annie Gill Baltimore MD
Rosalind Lee Oak Park IL
Areitha Lockhart, Decatur GA
Natalie Mann Moreno Valley CA
Emily Marvosh Cambridge MA
Courtney Miller Jamaica Plain MA
Nacole Palmer New Canaan CT
Joanna Porackova Lexington MA
Erin Roth Plano TX
Claire Stadtmueller Westport, CT
Christine Steyer Oak Park IL
Josefien Stoppelenburg Evanston IL
Lilla Heinrich Szasz Princeton NJ
Suzanne Vinnik New York NY
H. Conor Angell Houghton NY
Wesley Dunnagan Wabash IN
Christian Ketter Chicago IL
Michael Orlinsky Chicago IL
Brendan Sliger Hagerstown MD
Congratulations!
Mr. Katz expects to complete the selection process early next week; winners will be contacted individually by email to accept their selection. After all four have responded positively, the winners will be announced on this blog.
This is the second year that the CBASO has used TAP to help select its vocal soloists, a process that is independent from the rest of The American Prize judging. You can read more about the CBASO, the unique musical ensemble made up entirely of members of Chicago's legal community, now in its 27th season: http://cbasymphonyandchorus.blogspot.com/
Semi-finalists for The American Prize Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Awards, 2013, will be announced here shortly.
2013 finalists for the Chicago Oratorio Award:
Rebekah Auyeung Frisco TX
Alyssa Bowlby Norwalk CT
Joan Marie Dauber Chicago IL
Joanna Dionis Brooklyn NY
Kristen Frost St. Louis MO
Annie Gill Baltimore MD
Rosalind Lee Oak Park IL
Areitha Lockhart, Decatur GA
Natalie Mann Moreno Valley CA
Emily Marvosh Cambridge MA
Courtney Miller Jamaica Plain MA
Nacole Palmer New Canaan CT
Joanna Porackova Lexington MA
Erin Roth Plano TX
Claire Stadtmueller Westport, CT
Christine Steyer Oak Park IL
Josefien Stoppelenburg Evanston IL
Lilla Heinrich Szasz Princeton NJ
Suzanne Vinnik New York NY
H. Conor Angell Houghton NY
Wesley Dunnagan Wabash IN
Christian Ketter Chicago IL
Michael Orlinsky Chicago IL
Brendan Sliger Hagerstown MD
Congratulations!
Monday, March 25, 2013
CORRECTED: Chicago Oratorio Award SEMI-FINALISTS
Due to a minor computer error, several names were inadvertently left off the list of 2013 semi-finalists for The American Prize Chicago Oratorio Award. The corrected list is below. We apologize for the error.
We expect to announce finalists for the Chicago Oratorio Award later this week. The exact date and time of the announcement will be published first to our facebook page.
Four of the listed individuals, one each of soprano, alto (mezzo), tenor and bass (baritone) will appear under the baton of Maestro David Katz in concert with the Chicago Bar Association Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, performing Bruckner's Te Deum on May 15, 2013 at St James Episcopal Cathedral, Chicago.
This is the second year that the CBASO has used TAP to help select its vocal soloists, a process that is independent from the rest of The American Prize judging. You can read more about the CBASO, the unique musical ensemble made up entirely of members of Chicago's legal community, now in its 27th season: http://cbasymphonyandchorus.blogspot.com/
Congratulations!
Amaya Arberas New York NY
Rebekah Auyeung Frisco TX
Alyssa Bowlby Norwalk CT
Jessica Louise Coe Chicago IL
Bonnie Cutsforth-Huber Hollidaysburg PA
Joan Marie Dauber Chicago IL
Nancy Anne Davis Kenosha WI
Joanna Dionis Brooklyn NY
Kristen Frost St. Louis MO
Annie Gill Baltimore MD
Laura Ann Heckmann Brookfield CT
Rosalind Lee Oak Park IL
Areitha Lockhart, Decatur GA
Natalie Mann Moreno Valley CA
Emily Marvosh Cambridge MA
Sarah McIntyre Chicago IL
Courtney Miller Jamaica Plain MA
Nacole Palmer New Canaan CT
Erin Philleo Boynton Beach FL
Joanna Porackova Lexington MA
Erin Roth Plano TX
Meghan Ryan West Hartord CT
Heidi Sauser New York NY
Jennifer Sin New York NY
Megan Slack Cincinnati OH
Claire Stadtmueller Westport, CT
Kimberly States Jamaica Plain MA
Christine Steyer Oak Park IL
Josefien Stoppelenburg Evanston IL
Lilla Heinrich Szasz Princeton NJ
Shahrzad Tavakol Irvine CA
Suzanne Vinnik New York NY
Anneliese vonGoerken Port Hadlock WA
Ariana Wehr Lafayette LA
H.Conor Angell Houghton NY
Wesley Dunnagan Wabash IN
Christian Ketter Chicago IL
Thomas Alaan Lipsmeyer Chicago IL
Michael Orlinsky Chicago IL
Brendan Sliger Hagerstown MD
We expect to announce finalists for the Chicago Oratorio Award later this week. The exact date and time of the announcement will be published first to our facebook page.
Four of the listed individuals, one each of soprano, alto (mezzo), tenor and bass (baritone) will appear under the baton of Maestro David Katz in concert with the Chicago Bar Association Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, performing Bruckner's Te Deum on May 15, 2013 at St James Episcopal Cathedral, Chicago.
This is the second year that the CBASO has used TAP to help select its vocal soloists, a process that is independent from the rest of The American Prize judging. You can read more about the CBASO, the unique musical ensemble made up entirely of members of Chicago's legal community, now in its 27th season: http://cbasymphonyandchorus.blogspot.com/
Congratulations!
Amaya Arberas New York NY
Rebekah Auyeung Frisco TX
Alyssa Bowlby Norwalk CT
Jessica Louise Coe Chicago IL
Bonnie Cutsforth-Huber Hollidaysburg PA
Joan Marie Dauber Chicago IL
Nancy Anne Davis Kenosha WI
Joanna Dionis Brooklyn NY
Kristen Frost St. Louis MO
Annie Gill Baltimore MD
Laura Ann Heckmann Brookfield CT
Rosalind Lee Oak Park IL
Areitha Lockhart, Decatur GA
Natalie Mann Moreno Valley CA
Emily Marvosh Cambridge MA
Sarah McIntyre Chicago IL
Courtney Miller Jamaica Plain MA
Nacole Palmer New Canaan CT
Erin Philleo Boynton Beach FL
Joanna Porackova Lexington MA
Erin Roth Plano TX
Meghan Ryan West Hartord CT
Heidi Sauser New York NY
Jennifer Sin New York NY
Megan Slack Cincinnati OH
Claire Stadtmueller Westport, CT
Kimberly States Jamaica Plain MA
Christine Steyer Oak Park IL
Josefien Stoppelenburg Evanston IL
Lilla Heinrich Szasz Princeton NJ
Shahrzad Tavakol Irvine CA
Suzanne Vinnik New York NY
Anneliese vonGoerken Port Hadlock WA
Ariana Wehr Lafayette LA
H.Conor Angell Houghton NY
Wesley Dunnagan Wabash IN
Christian Ketter Chicago IL
Thomas Alaan Lipsmeyer Chicago IL
Michael Orlinsky Chicago IL
Brendan Sliger Hagerstown MD
Sunday, March 17, 2013
WHY do so MANY people apply, and then apply AGAIN, to win The American Prize?
One of the most gratifying but unexpected trends in the growth of The
American Prize is the number of individual artists and ensembles who
apply to the competitions, and then, in another year, apply again. (There is never a prohibition against winners reapplying.)
Not just winners, but runners-up, finalists and semi-finalists are among those who have submitted materials to be evaluated two, three or even four years in a row. "Certainly, individuals and groups apply to win," said David Katz, chief judge of the competitions, "but I think there are many more reasons than that, and they point to why The American Prize has become such a unique and valued national arts competition."
Here are some of the reasons many contestants apply, and apply again.
LOCAL, REGIONAL and NATIONAL RECOGNITION that truly makes a difference: When an individual artist or ensemble is honored by The American Prize for excellence, whether as a winner, runner-up, finalist, or even semi-finalist, they receive national validation difficult to achieve elsewhere. Contestants tell us that visibility in the competitions drives local attention and appreciation for individual artists, for ensembles and conductors, and can help lead to larger audiences, additional recognition, better recruitment and even larger donations.
Here are some thoughts from recent TAP laureates:
"Winning the American Prize has generated an increased interest in all the concerts of my orchestras. Our audiences are larger and more generous (since the concerts are free, we accept donations at the door). It has encouraged all of my orchestras to excel in their performances and raised the level of their participation in the ensembles."
Donald L. Appert, DMA
Music Director/Conductor - Clark College Orchestra
Music Director/Conductor - Oregon Sinfonietta
Artistic Director and Conductor – Jewish Community Orchestra
Music Department Chair & Professor of Music - Clark College
writer member of ASCAP
2011 Winner of The American Prize in Orchestral Programming - Vytautas Marijosius Memorial Award
***
"Receiving third place in The American Prize in Orchestra Performance—College/University Division in 2012 was indeed an honor for the Wheaton College Symphony Orchestra (IL) and myself.
It was not only a privilege to have been adjudicated and chosen by distinguished judges, but the award has garnered much recognition and praise for the orchestra in the local press and from alumni, administration and faculty through its mention in college publications.
The award has been a significant affirmation of our orchestra program."
Daniel Sommerville
Associate Professor and Orchestra Conductor
Conservatory of Music, Wheaton College
Wheaton, Illinois
***
"Your award means a great deal and is very timely to our organization (Oconomowoc Chamber Orchestra), which is young and establishing our presence. We have two orchestras, an avocational group and a professional ensemble. The American Prize Award helped us gain recognition in a way that we simply couldn't do ourselves, and the community noticed. For our board, it made them aware that we are one a correct path, and that what we do in a small community can have a place in our larger world. Professionally, it is extremely fulfilling to have others in the field recognize the work. I am deeply impressed.
I am certain the national awareness of your program will continue to grow, as you are reaching into many communities to help them grow! We at OCO look forward to helping your Award be visible in our community for years to come."
Roberta Carpenter
OCO Music Director
***
UNBIASED FEEDBACK: All applicants to The American Prize who achieve finalist status or higher receive written evaluations from one or more of the distinguished judges on our panel. These individuals are persons as varied in skills and training as we hope the winners of The American Prize will be. They bring real-world experience to their task, knowing the complexites, rewards and challenges individual artists, conductors and ensembles face in 21st century America. Each is charged to provide evaluations that we hope the contestants themselves will deem respectful, perhaps insightful, and of real value.
FAIRNESS: "As I watch the applications arrive each competition season from all across the country, I never have any idea who the ultimate winners will be," commented Maestro Katz. "There is always sense of discovery—of finding a gem of an ensemble or a tremendously talented individual artist or music director in an unexpected place, or a group or conductor in a major city achieving extraordinary results. When a familiar name crosses my desk because they have applied before, there is that added excitement to see and hear what they are up to this season—how good they will be be, how much they have achieved, what repertoire they have tackled—and, in the back of my mind the most interesting question: "how will my fellow judges rank their submission this year in relation to all the others?"
LONGEVITY: Although The American Prize is awarded annually, the benefits of success in the competitions do not expire with the turning of the calendar. Many TAP winners, runners-up, finalists and semi-finalists continue to trumpet their placement in the contests for years after the original result. Often, the TAP logo remains on their website long after the competition year, a real "seal of approval," —and success in the contests continues to be highlighted prominently in their publicity. The American Prize means that much.
And should an individual artist, conductor or ensemble apply and place highly a second or third year, that recognition points to a level of ongoing quality that can be a career boon throughout the community, regardless of where the artists are based geographically.
CERTIFICATES: Every contestant who achieves semi-finalist status or higher in the competitions of The American Prize receives a individualized certificate, suitable for framing. Now that The American Prize has found a vendor to provide frames personalized to the needs of the contestant, we expect that many more will be hanging in offices, studios, rehearsal locations, lobbies and board rooms all across the country.
(Information about how to purchase 2013 TAP Gifts will be published soon.)
CASH PRIZES: A single cash award in each category is presented. Cash prizes range from $100 to $500, depending on the year, the competition, and the number of entrants. As the contests and our fund-raising efforts grow, we expect to be able to award larger prizes in more categories. (The American Prize has awarded more than $10,000 in prize money since 2010.) Winning cash is fun, of course, but it is clear that the benefits of The American Prize extend to far more than dollars.
Not just winners, but runners-up, finalists and semi-finalists are among those who have submitted materials to be evaluated two, three or even four years in a row. "Certainly, individuals and groups apply to win," said David Katz, chief judge of the competitions, "but I think there are many more reasons than that, and they point to why The American Prize has become such a unique and valued national arts competition."
Here are some of the reasons many contestants apply, and apply again.
LOCAL, REGIONAL and NATIONAL RECOGNITION that truly makes a difference: When an individual artist or ensemble is honored by The American Prize for excellence, whether as a winner, runner-up, finalist, or even semi-finalist, they receive national validation difficult to achieve elsewhere. Contestants tell us that visibility in the competitions drives local attention and appreciation for individual artists, for ensembles and conductors, and can help lead to larger audiences, additional recognition, better recruitment and even larger donations.
Here are some thoughts from recent TAP laureates:
![]() |
Donald Appert |
Donald L. Appert, DMA
Music Director/Conductor - Clark College Orchestra
Music Director/Conductor - Oregon Sinfonietta
Artistic Director and Conductor – Jewish Community Orchestra
Music Department Chair & Professor of Music - Clark College
writer member of ASCAP
2011 Winner of The American Prize in Orchestral Programming - Vytautas Marijosius Memorial Award
***
![]() |
Daniel Sommerville |
It was not only a privilege to have been adjudicated and chosen by distinguished judges, but the award has garnered much recognition and praise for the orchestra in the local press and from alumni, administration and faculty through its mention in college publications.
The award has been a significant affirmation of our orchestra program."
Daniel Sommerville
Associate Professor and Orchestra Conductor
Conservatory of Music, Wheaton College
Wheaton, Illinois
***
![]() |
Roberta Carpenter |
I am certain the national awareness of your program will continue to grow, as you are reaching into many communities to help them grow! We at OCO look forward to helping your Award be visible in our community for years to come."
Roberta Carpenter
OCO Music Director
***
UNBIASED FEEDBACK: All applicants to The American Prize who achieve finalist status or higher receive written evaluations from one or more of the distinguished judges on our panel. These individuals are persons as varied in skills and training as we hope the winners of The American Prize will be. They bring real-world experience to their task, knowing the complexites, rewards and challenges individual artists, conductors and ensembles face in 21st century America. Each is charged to provide evaluations that we hope the contestants themselves will deem respectful, perhaps insightful, and of real value.
FAIRNESS: "As I watch the applications arrive each competition season from all across the country, I never have any idea who the ultimate winners will be," commented Maestro Katz. "There is always sense of discovery—of finding a gem of an ensemble or a tremendously talented individual artist or music director in an unexpected place, or a group or conductor in a major city achieving extraordinary results. When a familiar name crosses my desk because they have applied before, there is that added excitement to see and hear what they are up to this season—how good they will be be, how much they have achieved, what repertoire they have tackled—and, in the back of my mind the most interesting question: "how will my fellow judges rank their submission this year in relation to all the others?"
LONGEVITY: Although The American Prize is awarded annually, the benefits of success in the competitions do not expire with the turning of the calendar. Many TAP winners, runners-up, finalists and semi-finalists continue to trumpet their placement in the contests for years after the original result. Often, the TAP logo remains on their website long after the competition year, a real "seal of approval," —and success in the contests continues to be highlighted prominently in their publicity. The American Prize means that much.
And should an individual artist, conductor or ensemble apply and place highly a second or third year, that recognition points to a level of ongoing quality that can be a career boon throughout the community, regardless of where the artists are based geographically.
CERTIFICATES: Every contestant who achieves semi-finalist status or higher in the competitions of The American Prize receives a individualized certificate, suitable for framing. Now that The American Prize has found a vendor to provide frames personalized to the needs of the contestant, we expect that many more will be hanging in offices, studios, rehearsal locations, lobbies and board rooms all across the country.
(Information about how to purchase 2013 TAP Gifts will be published soon.)
CASH PRIZES: A single cash award in each category is presented. Cash prizes range from $100 to $500, depending on the year, the competition, and the number of entrants. As the contests and our fund-raising efforts grow, we expect to be able to award larger prizes in more categories. (The American Prize has awarded more than $10,000 in prize money since 2010.) Winning cash is fun, of course, but it is clear that the benefits of The American Prize extend to far more than dollars.
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