tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59037695103708411452024-03-15T14:43:25.282-04:00The American Prizedavidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10142661857434106176noreply@blogger.comBlogger1368125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903769510370841145.post-36021211364879738032024-03-15T10:43:00.001-04:002024-03-15T10:43:26.423-04:00 2024 CONTEST UPDATE: Mar 15, 2024<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77Uw4Q6P-P9hdJOIgpi3-7h2lDvHuOdDAhAikEZ_1xZWPdE6PSIuvQoU2CFB7i7XpPQ6UEt1ikmHKrb-ew2iiY9NZYzfBVqInWLws5AOI3ytLXa2JuicNhVPEFPYKUaEB4ayEXAihxau7wa6LIDUZ808yW7wxBiI4D-UnsGFuEXBl-uN1EkLTS2Ys7b2g/s925/sealonblack.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="925" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77Uw4Q6P-P9hdJOIgpi3-7h2lDvHuOdDAhAikEZ_1xZWPdE6PSIuvQoU2CFB7i7XpPQ6UEt1ikmHKrb-ew2iiY9NZYzfBVqInWLws5AOI3ytLXa2JuicNhVPEFPYKUaEB4ayEXAihxau7wa6LIDUZ808yW7wxBiI4D-UnsGFuEXBl-uN1EkLTS2Ys7b2g/s320/sealonblack.png" width="320" /></a></div><b><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">FINALIST ANNOUNCEMENTS CONTINUE!</span></b><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We have streamlined the process to announce results. Rather than publishing semi-finalists over weeks, those decisions are now made internally. This change saves time, speeds up the process—but nothing else changes—semi-finalists not advanced still receive certificates at the end of the year. Questions? <a href="mailto:theamericanprize@gmail.com">theamericanprize@gmail.com</a></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">All announcements on our blog: </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://theamericanprize.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: inherit;">http://theamericanprize.blogspot.com/</span></a></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">The American Prize in Composition (pops/light music)</span></b></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tue Mar 19 5p</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">In composition (vocal chamber music)</span></b></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thur Mar 21 5p</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">In composition (music for band)</span></b></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tue Mar 26 5p</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">In composition (opera/theater/film/dance)</span></b></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Wed Mar 27 5p</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Next finalists will complete composer categories, then conductors/ensembles, then American Music Bacon Award.</span></p>davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10142661857434106176noreply@blogger.com0Danbury, CT, USA41.394817 -73.454011113.084583163821158 -108.6102611 69.705050836178856 -38.2977611tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903769510370841145.post-84394177036724673442024-03-12T17:00:00.001-04:002024-03-12T17:00:00.124-04:00National finalists: INSTRUMENTAL SOLOISTS, 2024<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBMK8F5mMm-KtqaN9kKfOR47zj3fbltxFNdvWnhoi55hBINV-0mr5BH7vVBfALWIFiIvgJ2eZCe52I-bWKawpsrAnzyRJZGF-bYqHxRaRw-LfxsWk9xdtanH4mywXogrcktFwio5gCXg/s1600/CHAMBERicon.png" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBMK8F5mMm-KtqaN9kKfOR47zj3fbltxFNdvWnhoi55hBINV-0mr5BH7vVBfALWIFiIvgJ2eZCe52I-bWKawpsrAnzyRJZGF-bYqHxRaRw-LfxsWk9xdtanH4mywXogrcktFwio5gCXg/w320-h269/CHAMBERicon.png" width="320" /></a></p><div><i style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dear Friends,</span></i></div><div><i style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We have streamlined the process of announcing contest results. Rather than publishing each semi-finalist listing over many weeks, those decisions are now made internally, so that FINALIST announcements for the 2024 season begin immediately. This change saves a great deal of time and considerably speeds up the process of announcing winners—but please note: nothing else </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">changes—semi-finalists who are not advanced as FINALISTS will still receive certificates at the end of the contest year, as always. Questions? <a href="mailto:theamericanprize@gmail.com">theamericanprize@gmail.com</a></span></i></div><div><i style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></i></div><p><b>The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts,</b> David Volosin Katz, founder and chief judge, is honored to announce NATIONAL FINALIST instrumental soloists for 2024. Congratulations! To know the exact date when winners and runners-up will be announced, please like our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-American-Prize-celebrating-American-excellence-in-the-arts/214320622728?ref=ts" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page or follow us on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/americanprize" target="_blank">#AmericanPrize</a>, where that information will be published first.</p><p></p><p>All contestants are reminded they are responsible for the viability of their online links to audition materials. Those links must remain active until the end of the contest year. Questions, or to make us aware of any misprints in the listings below, please email: <a href="mailto:theamericanprize@gmail.com">theamericanprize@gmail.com</a> </p><div><div><b>The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts</b> is the nation's most comprehensive series of contests in the performing arts. The American Prize is unique in scope and structure, designed to recognize and reward the best performing artists, directors, ensembles and composers in the United States at professional, college/university, community and high school levels, based on submitted recordings. Now in its fourteenth year, <span>The American Prize was founded in 2010 and is awarded annually in many areas of the performing arts. Thousands of artists from all fifty states have derived benefit from their participation in the contests of The American Prize, </span>representing literally hundreds of communities and arts organizations across the nation.<span> </span><span> </span>Information about the 2024-25 season of contests is now available and applications are being accepted, with preliminary deadlines in April & May. (<a href="http://theamericanprize.org">http://theamericanprize.org</a>)</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i><span style="color: #cc0000;">At The American Prize there is never a preset number of finalists in any division</span></i></b>—finalists are those artists who are judged to be worthy of additional consideration and evaluation. Contestants, therefore, do not compete against each other, but in relation to judges' perceived impression of an artistic ideal.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>We invite finalists to make the most of their selection by announcing it on their facebook page, tweeting the news, and including a link to this announcement on their website or blog. A sample announcement may be found at the end of the post.</i></div><br /><div><h2><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><b>NATIONAL FINALISTS: </b></span></span></span><b style="font-family: inherit;">The American Prize in Instrumental Performance, 2024—professional division</b></span></h2><div><br /></div><div><span><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cory Barnfield </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Louisville KY </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">saxophone</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Christine Beard Erlander</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Council Bluffs IA </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Piccolo</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hana Beloglavec </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tallahassee FL </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Trombone</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rose Bishop </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">North Liberty IA </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Flute</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">James Cipriano </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Norfolk VA </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tuba</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Steven Cohen </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Flushing NY </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Horn</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Christopher Creviston </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Phoenix AZ </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Saxophone</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Morgann E. Davis </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lancaster PA </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Flute</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Theresa Delaplain </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fayetteville AR </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Oboe</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Robert Fant </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Houston AL </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Horn</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dan Flanagan </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Berkeley CA </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Violin</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Alyssa Gaines </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Le Mars IA </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Flute</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Joshua Gardner </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Phoenix AZ </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Clarinet</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Scott Hagarty </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cookeville TN </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Trumpet</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Zachary Haas </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hamden CT </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bass Trombone</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kristin Leitterman </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jonesboro AR </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">oboe</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kevin Weng Lin </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lynnwood WA </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tuba</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Steven Maxwell </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Manhattan KS </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tuba</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Christopher O'Hara </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bensenville IL </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Trumpet</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Daniel Rowland </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dubuque IA </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tuba</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Alexa Still </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Oberlin OH </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Flute</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div><h2><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(224, 102, 102);"><span><span><b>NATIONAL FINALISTS: </b></span></span></span><b style="caret-color: rgb(224, 102, 102); font-family: inherit;">The American Prize in Instrumental Performance, 2024—college/university division</b></span></h2><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Morning Szu-Chen Huang </p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">New York NY </p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Violin</p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Drew Olson </p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">St. Paul Park MN </p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Tuba</p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Nicolette Sullivan-Cozza </p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Hockessin DE </p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Viola</p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Eve Wackerlin </p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Montgomery IL </p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Flute and Piccolo</p></span></div><i><div><i><br /></i></div><div><br /></div></i><h2><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(224, 102, 102);"><span><span><b>NATIONAL FINALISTS: </b></span></span></span><b style="caret-color: rgb(224, 102, 102); font-family: inherit;">The American Prize in Instrumental Performance, 2024—high school division</b></span></h2><i><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dylan Hardy </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">New York NY </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Alto Saxophone</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bo-En Huang </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">San Diego CA </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Violin</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Chloe Lin San </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Diego CA </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Flute</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Gary Haoyang Liu </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ojai CA </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Saxophone</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jeanne Park </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sammamish WA </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Violin</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Aryan Rajpal </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Frisco TX </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Marimba</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Liam Thomas </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Loma Linda CA </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Violin</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Chloe Zhong </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Weston MA </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Flute</span></p></div><div><i><br /></i></div>*** </i><br /><br />Finalists are encouraged to make the most of their selection by announcing it on social media and by including a link to this announcement on your website or blog. <br /><br />Here is a sample announcement:<br /><br />"Great News! I've just been selected as a FINALIST in the (blank) division of The American Prize national non-profit competitions in the performing arts. Here's the link: (copy link here). The American Prize will be announcing WINNERS in my division soon. You can learn more about this prestigious national competition here: <a href="http://www.theamericanprize.org/">www.theamericanprize.org</a> or follow the news on Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-American-Prize-celebrating-American-excellence-in-the-arts/214320622728">https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-American-Prize-celebrating-American-excellence-in-the-arts/214320622728</a> or Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/americanprize">https://twitter.com/americanprize</a> "<br /><br />Please feel free to modify or expand this announcement to suit your needs.<br /><br /><i>Congratulations to all finalists!</i></div></div>davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10142661857434106176noreply@blogger.com0Danbury, CT, USA41.394817 -73.454011113.084583163821158 -108.6102611 69.705050836178856 -38.2977611tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903769510370841145.post-63208633086212760042024-03-06T17:00:00.002-05:002024-03-06T17:00:00.133-05:00National finalists: PIANO (solo)—2024<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyPJp3JZWn2Lvc32zSbWJDByzbIM4K9_pkGPFr_FVh5m8qIoIKhQdptLr8H2MYpfYs8x1tNaLG7mhQk2I-bS2TM3kyLSvLejYm9Ci5PHA1Gk9lpkbhel0EbNvSE-IVU1JqHDILgB7EhM5K5jWwiaoV2sjR5J8ny4EKHlF3P2dyJgkOZbW6dPqqXtIWA/s538/PSOLlogo.png" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="402" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyPJp3JZWn2Lvc32zSbWJDByzbIM4K9_pkGPFr_FVh5m8qIoIKhQdptLr8H2MYpfYs8x1tNaLG7mhQk2I-bS2TM3kyLSvLejYm9Ci5PHA1Gk9lpkbhel0EbNvSE-IVU1JqHDILgB7EhM5K5jWwiaoV2sjR5J8ny4EKHlF3P2dyJgkOZbW6dPqqXtIWA/w238-h320/PSOLlogo.png" width="238" /></a><i style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dear Friends,</span></i></p><div><i style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We have streamlined the process of announcing contest results. Rather than publishing each semi-finalist listing over many weeks, those decisions are now made internally, so that FINALIST announcements for the 2024 season begin immediately. This change saves a great deal of time and considerably speeds up the process of announcing winners—but please note: nothing else </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">changes—semi-finalists who are not advanced as FINALISTS will still receive certificates at the end of the contest year, as always. Questions? <a href="mailto:theamericanprize@gmail.com">theamericanprize@gmail.com</a></span></i></div><p><span><b>The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts</b>, David (Volosin) Katz, founder and chief judge, is pleased to announce NATIONAL FINALISTS in </span><b>The American Prize in Piano Performance (solo), 2024.</b><span> As the contests unfold, runners-up and winners will be selected from this list. To know the exact date when winners will be announced, please follow this blog, like our </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-American-Prize-celebrating-American-excellence-in-the-arts/214320622728?ref=ts" target="_blank">Facebook</a><span> page or follow us on Twitter </span><a href="https://twitter.com/americanprize" target="_blank">#AmericanPrize</a><span>, where that information will be published first. </span></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><span><span>All contestants are reminded they are responsible for the viability of their online links to audition materials. Those links must remain active until the end of the contest year. Questions, or to make us aware of any misprints in the listings below, please email: <a href="mailto:theamericanprize@gmail.com">theamericanprize@gmail.com</a><br /></span><span><br /><b>The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts</b> is the nation's most comprehensive series of contests in the performing arts. The American Prize is unique in scope and structure, designed to recognize and reward the best performing artists, directors, ensembles and composers in the United States at professional, college/university, community and high school levels, based on submitted recordings. Now in its fourteenth year, <span>The American Prize was founded in 2010 and is awarded annually in many areas of the performing arts. Thousands of artists from all fifty states have derived benefit from their participation in the contests of The American Prize, </span>representing literally hundreds of communities and arts organizations across the nation.<span> </span><span> </span>Information about the 2024-25 season of contests is now available and applications are being accepted, with preliminary deadlines in April & May. (<a href="http://theamericanprize.org">http://theamericanprize.org</a>)<br /></span></span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><div><b><i><span style="color: #cc0000;">At The American Prize there is never a preset number of finalists in any division</span></i></b>—finalists are those artists who are judged to be worthy of additional consideration and evaluation. Contestants, therefore, do not compete against each other, but in reference to judges' perceived impression of an artistic ideal.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>We invite finalists to make the most of their selection by announcing it on their facebook page, tweeting the news, and including a link to this announcement on their website or blog. A sample announcement may be found at the end of the post.</i></div></span><div><br /></div><h2><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span><b>NATIONAL FINALISTS: </b></span></span></span><b>The American Prize in Piano Performance (solo), 2024—adult division</b></span></h2><div><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black;"><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Emiko Edwards <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Philadelphia PA </p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Mehana Ellis <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Palo Alto CA</p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Bruce Leto, Jr. <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Gulph Mills PA </p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Michael Min <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Minneapolis MN </p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Anjun Zheng <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Tempe AZ </p></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div><h2><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span><b>NATIONAL FINALISTS: </b></span></span></span><b>The American Prize in Piano Performance (solo), 2024—schools division</b></span></h2></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Emma Nicole Crasnitchi <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Falls Church VA </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cana Fass <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Williamsburg VA </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Simon Fass <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Williamsburg VA </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Edward Huang <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cupertino CA </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Victor Li <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Irvine CA </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Reilin Lyu <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Buffalo NY </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Asa Miller <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hartsdale NY </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Noah Spurr <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Woodlands TX </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Freddy Yu <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Flushing NY </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hao Yuan Zhang<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">San Jose CA</span></p></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><i>*** </i><br /><br />We invite finalists to make the most of their selection by announcing it on social media and including a link to this announcement on their website or blog. <br /><br />Here is a sample announcement:<br /><br />"Great News! I've just been selected as a finalist in the <i>(blank)</i> division of </span><b>The American Prize in Piano Performance (solo)</b><span>. Here's the link: </span><i>(copy link here).</i><span> The American Prize will be announcing winners in my division soon. You can learn more about this prestigious national competition here: </span><a href="http://www.theamericanprize.org/">www.theamericanprize.org</a><span> or follow the news on Facebook: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-American-Prize-celebrating-American-excellence-in-the-arts/214320622728">https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-American-Prize-celebrating-American-excellence-in-the-arts/214320622728</a><span> or Twitter: </span><a href="https://twitter.com/americanprize">https://twitter.com/americanprize</a><span> "</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Please feel free to modify or expand this announcement to suit your needs.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i style="font-family: inherit;">Congratulations to all finalists<b>.</b></i> </span></div></div></div>davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10142661857434106176noreply@blogger.com0Danbury, CT, USA41.394817 -73.454011115.302386266433913 -108.6102611 67.4872477335661 -38.2977611tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903769510370841145.post-72970483059004537862024-03-05T17:00:00.001-05:002024-03-05T17:00:00.144-05:00National finalists: PIANO (concerto)—The Lorin Hollander Award, 2024<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuM7rWgSPER79SkzhYc7oMZWg_pWO5WZd7vTJUYOW5o4YL84YAmCnQ1ta7ZPaJ6jjFXXQh5qgN_8LDteOeby_CVqCR9zGPLR-x0Hl_HGppJeQL5J1Ri-N9beigH5PX2-SOXtxV90fyk0/s1600/lorin.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuM7rWgSPER79SkzhYc7oMZWg_pWO5WZd7vTJUYOW5o4YL84YAmCnQ1ta7ZPaJ6jjFXXQh5qgN_8LDteOeby_CVqCR9zGPLR-x0Hl_HGppJeQL5J1Ri-N9beigH5PX2-SOXtxV90fyk0/w245-h320/lorin.png" width="245" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lorin Hollander</td></tr></tbody></table><div><i style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dear Friends,</span></i></div><div><i style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We have streamlined the process of announcing contest results. Rather than publishing each semi-finalist listing over many weeks, those decisions are now made internally, so that FINALIST announcements for the 2024 season begin immediately. This change saves a great deal of time and considerably speeds up the process of announcing winners—but please note: nothing else </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">changes—semi-finalists who are not advanced as FINALISTS will still receive certificates at the end of the contest year, as always. Questions? <a href="mailto:theamericanprize@gmail.com">theamericanprize@gmail.com</a></span></i></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts,</b> David Volosin Katz, chief judge, is honored to announce <b>FINALIST pianists for 2024 in the CONCERTO division, The LORIN HOLLANDER AWARD.</b> Congratulations! As the contests unfold, runners-up and winners will be selected from this list. To know the exact date when winners will be announced, please like our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-American-Prize-celebrating-American-excellence-in-the-arts/214320622728?ref=ts" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page or follow us on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/americanprize" target="_blank">#AmericanPrize</a>, where that information will be published first.</div><div><br />The American Prize LORIN HOLLANDER AWARD celebrates the artistry of one of the greatest pianists of his generation. Lorin Hollander has appeared as guest soloist with virtually every major symphony orchestra in the world and is a veteran of over 2,500 performances across the glo<span class="text_exposed_show">be. The American Prize is delighted to share the legacy of this legendary artist through the re-naming of the award for Piano Concerto Performance in his honor.</span> For more about the extraordinary life and career of Lorin Hollander, please visit <a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Florinhollander.com%2F&h=0AQGDOukOAQFgZ_YTW6in9LnWlm-rPv6y1u-hjkEKAg6lUg&enc=AZPkRaZZtzHF92ehzIVJGziMTZ_DFD5WVwTg-w1WKB4AAYkaYolTThA9YKK9lj7Z69PfBIIVCJz66ykju95hXOvRsGc_pVH4HkSxaHpWOdmqNBSDcySSxDGzmYFcul-qU2-QA3TCGYSLYOYglbQS0TSYPRL1a4bW8KhaqLAKh0iKhfL6jjVnXRUmKXKsBruajNNcGQJRG8RbFoUBhyWMB-3_&s=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://lorinhollander.com/</a><br /><br /><b><i>At The American Prize there is never a preset number of finalists in any division</i></b>—finalists are those artists who are judged to be worthy of additional consideration and evaluation. Contestants, therefore, do not compete against each other, but in relation to judges' perceived impression of an artistic ideal.</div><div><br />All contestants are reminded they are responsible for the viability of their online links to audition materials. Those links must remain active until the end of the contest year. Questions, or to make us aware of any misprints in the listings below, please email: <a href="mailto:theamericanprize@gmail.com">theamericanprize@gmail.com</a> <br /><br /><b>The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts</b> is the nation's most comprehensive series of contests in the performing arts. The American Prize is unique in scope and structure, designed to recognize and reward the best performing artists, directors, ensembles and composers in the United States at professional, college/university, community and high school levels, based on submitted recordings. Now in its fourteenth year, <span>The American Prize was founded in 2010 and is awarded annually in many areas of the performing arts. Thousands of artists from all fifty states have derived benefit from their participation in the contests of The American Prize, </span>representing literally hundreds of communities and arts organizations across the nation.<span> </span><span> </span>Information about the 2024-25 season of contests is now available and applications are being accepted, with preliminary deadlines in April & May. (<a href="http://theamericanprize.org">http://theamericanprize.org</a>)</div><div><br /></div><div><i>We invite finalists to make the most of their selection by announcing it on their facebook page, tweeting the news, and including a link to this announcement on their website or blog. A sample announcement may be found at the end of the post.</i></div><div><br /></div><div><h2><span style="color: #e06666;">NATIONAL FINALISTS: The American Prize in Piano Performance (concerto)—The Lorin Hollander Award, professional division, 2024</span></h2><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Emiko Edwards </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Philadelphia PA </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Joan Tower— Piano Concerto (Homage to Beethoven)</i></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Joseph Kingma </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Wellington FL </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rachmaninoff—Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini</i></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Michael Min </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Minneapolis MN</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Tchaikovsky—Piano Concerto #1</i></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ruoyang Xiang </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kirksville MO </span></p>
<div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rachmaninoff—Piano Concerto #1 </i></span><i style="font-family: inherit;"> </i></div></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><br /></div></span></div><br /><br /><i>*** </i><br /><br />Finalists are encouraged to make the most of their selection by announcing it on social media and by including a link to this announcement on your website or blog. <br /><br />Here is a sample announcement:<br /><br />"Great News! I've just been selected as a FINALIST in the (blank) division of The American Prize national non-profit competitions in the performing arts. Here's the link: (copy link here). The American Prize will be announcing WINNERS in my division soon. You can learn more about this prestigious national competition here: <a href="http://www.theamericanprize.org/">www.theamericanprize.org</a> or follow the news on Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-American-Prize-celebrating-American-excellence-in-the-arts/214320622728">https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-American-Prize-celebrating-American-excellence-in-the-arts/214320622728</a> or Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/americanprize">https://twitter.com/americanprize</a> "<br /><br />Please feel free to modify or expand this announcement to suit your needs.<br /><br /><i>Congratulations to all finalists!</i><br /><br /></div><p> </p>davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10142661857434106176noreply@blogger.com0Danbury, CT, USA41.394817 -73.454011113.084583163821158 -108.6102611 69.705050836178856 -38.2977611tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903769510370841145.post-46672622940770217392024-02-29T17:00:00.001-05:002024-02-29T17:00:00.130-05:00National finalists: CHAMBER MUSIC PERFORMANCE, 2024<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBMK8F5mMm-KtqaN9kKfOR47zj3fbltxFNdvWnhoi55hBINV-0mr5BH7vVBfALWIFiIvgJ2eZCe52I-bWKawpsrAnzyRJZGF-bYqHxRaRw-LfxsWk9xdtanH4mywXogrcktFwio5gCXg/s1600/CHAMBERicon.png" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBMK8F5mMm-KtqaN9kKfOR47zj3fbltxFNdvWnhoi55hBINV-0mr5BH7vVBfALWIFiIvgJ2eZCe52I-bWKawpsrAnzyRJZGF-bYqHxRaRw-LfxsWk9xdtanH4mywXogrcktFwio5gCXg/w320-h269/CHAMBERicon.png" width="320" /></a></p><p><i style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dear Friends,</span></i></p><p></p><p><i style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We have streamlined the process of announcing contest results. Rather than publishing each semi-finalist listing over many weeks, those decisions are now made internally, so that FINALIST announcements for the 2024 season begin immediately This change saves a great deal of time and considerably speeds up the process of announcing winners—but please note: nothing else </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">changes—semi-finalists who are not advanced as FINALISTS will still receive certificates at the end of the contest year, as always. Questions? <a href="mailto:theamericanprize@gmail.com">theamericanprize@gmail.com</a></span></i></p><p><b>The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts,</b> David Volosin Katz, founder and chief judge, is honored to announce NATIONAL FINALIST chamber ensembles for 2024. Congratulations! To know the exact date when winners and runners-up will be announced, please like our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-American-Prize-celebrating-American-excellence-in-the-arts/214320622728?ref=ts" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page or follow us on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/americanprize" target="_blank">#AmericanPrize</a>, where that information will be published first.</p><div>All contestants are reminded they are responsible for the viability of their online links to audition materials. Those links must remain active until the end of the contest year. Questions, or to make us aware of any misprints in the listings below, please email: <a href="mailto:theamericanprize@gmail.com">theamericanprize@gmail.com</a> <br /><br /><span><b>The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts</b> is the nation's most comprehensive series of contests in the performing arts. The American Prize is unique in scope and structure, designed to recognize and reward the best performing artists, directors, ensembles and composers in the United States at professional, college/university, community and high school levels, based on submitted recordings. Now in its fourteenth year, <span>The American Prize was founded in 2010 and is awarded annually in many areas of the performing arts. Thousands of artists from all fifty states have derived benefit from their participation in the contests of The American Prize, </span>representing literally hundreds of communities and arts organizations across the nation.<span> </span><span> </span>Information about the 2024-25 season of contests is now available and applications are being accepted, with preliminary deadlines in April & May. (<a href="http://theamericanprize.org">http://theamericanprize.org</a>)<br /></span><div><span><br /><div><b><i><span style="color: #cc0000;">At The American Prize there is never a preset number of finalists in any division</span></i></b>—finalists are those artists who are judged to be worthy of additional consideration and evaluation. Contestants, therefore, do not compete against each other, but in relation to judges' perceived impression of an artistic ideal.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>We invite finalists to make the most of their selection by announcing it on their facebook page, tweeting the news, and including a link to this announcement on their website or blog. A sample announcement may be found at the end of the post.</i></div><div><br /></div></span></div><h2><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><b>NATIONAL FINALISTS: </b></span></span></span><b style="font-family: inherit;">The American Prize in Chamber Music Performance, 2024— adult division</b></span></h2><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dave Camwell </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Troy AL </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Covert Ensemble</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Michael Capone </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Austin TX </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Amorsima Trio</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Leona Cheung </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Boston MA </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cara Bender and Leona Cheung</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Leona Cheung </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Boston MA </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Blaich/Cheung Piano Duo</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Florian Conzetti </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Portland OR </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Linfield Collaborative Music Ensemble</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Theresa Delaplain </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fayetteville AR </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Lyrique Quintette</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tommy Dobbs </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Oklahoma City OK </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Brian Nozny Project</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Joshua Gardner </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Phoenix AZ </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Egide Duo</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Andre Godsey</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Aberdeen MD </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Duo Cortona</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Timothy Hagen </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Chicago IL </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Corbin-Hagen Duo</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Benjamin Holmes </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Norman OK </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Holmes Percussion Duo</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bonson Lee </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tempe AZ </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kodachrome</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kevin Weng Lin</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lynnwood WA </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">CCM Brass Trio</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Patrick Moore </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Houston TX </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Axiom Quartet</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jennifer Piazza-Pick</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Charlotte NC </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Whistling Hens</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Elizabeth Robinson </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Aurora SD </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Aviary Quartet</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Amy Rosine </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Manhattan KS </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sorores Duo</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Raquel Samayoa </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Suwanee GA </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lantana Trio</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Brian Schappals </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Seattle WA </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Winds 5 Wind Quintet</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jamie Whitmarsh </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Oklahoma City OK </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Oklahoma Modern Music Wind Collective</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ruoyang Xiang </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kirksville MO </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Vinola Trio</span></p></div><div><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><h2><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(224, 102, 102);"><span><span><b>NATIONAL FINALISTS: </b></span></span></span><b style="caret-color: rgb(224, 102, 102); font-family: inherit;">The American Prize in Chamber Music Performance, 2024— high school division</b></span></h2><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Wesley Connor </p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Harrisburg PA </p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Bad to the Bone</p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Brandon Duras </p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Bath ME </p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Brunswick HS Honors Wind Ensemble Percussion Quartet</p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Theodore Smith </p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Long Beach IN </p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">CYSO Lakeshore Brass Quintet</p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Heather West </p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Williamsburg VA </p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Fass Piano Duo</p></span></div><div><br /></div><div><i><br /></i><i>*** </i><br /><br />Finalists are encouraged to make the most of their selection by announcing it on social media and by including a link to this announcement on your website or blog. <br /><br />Here is a sample announcement:<br /><br />"Great News! I've just been selected as a FINALIST in the (blank) division of The American Prize national non-profit competitions in the performing arts. Here's the link: (copy link here). The American Prize will be announcing WINNERS in my division soon. You can learn more about this prestigious national competition here: <a href="http://www.theamericanprize.org/">www.theamericanprize.org</a> or follow the news on Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-American-Prize-celebrating-American-excellence-in-the-arts/214320622728">https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-American-Prize-celebrating-American-excellence-in-the-arts/214320622728</a> or Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/americanprize">https://twitter.com/americanprize</a> "<br /><br />Please feel free to modify or expand this announcement to suit your needs.<br /><br /></div></div><p><i>Congratulations to all finalists!</i> </p>davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10142661857434106176noreply@blogger.com0Danbury, CT, USA41.394817 -73.454011113.084583163821158 -108.6102611 69.705050836178856 -38.2977611tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903769510370841145.post-64658106091317761532024-02-28T17:00:00.007-05:002024-02-28T17:00:00.238-05:00National finalists: ART SONG—The Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Awards, 2024<p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></i></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpIdGnz9ct5G4-aawJ4_QOcvxLvbEsiLEaDLIjFNB_5SmiPZycun478RJv5MLw0jlIVTbH8Osjev6EG0Bw7eP31XJP5xqffslqUElzmmhqh4UVm2bx9uQjIyD6pSZenowdD5wuZ4YDbyuvqzthwItGen1cAectho_KzOe17VE8WcX_BZt3WwpizQgdFyYl/s2242/SchorrBIG.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2242" data-original-width="1650" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpIdGnz9ct5G4-aawJ4_QOcvxLvbEsiLEaDLIjFNB_5SmiPZycun478RJv5MLw0jlIVTbH8Osjev6EG0Bw7eP31XJP5xqffslqUElzmmhqh4UVm2bx9uQjIyD6pSZenowdD5wuZ4YDbyuvqzthwItGen1cAectho_KzOe17VE8WcX_BZt3WwpizQgdFyYl/w236-h320/SchorrBIG.png" width="236" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Schorr as Wotan</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dear Friends,</span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We have streamlined the process of announcing contest results. Rather than publishing each semi-finalist listing over many weeks, those decisions are now made internally, so that FINALIST announcements for the 2024 season begin now. This change saves a great deal of time and considerably speeds up the process of announcing winners—but please note: nothing else </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">changes—semi-finalists who are not advanced as FINALISTS will still receive certificates at the end of the contest year, as always. Questions? <a href="mailto:theamericanprize@gmail.com">theamericanprize@gmail.com</a></span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><b>The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts</b>, David (Volosin) Katz, founder and chief judge, is honored to announce NATIONAL FINALISTS in art song and oratorio for 2024, The FRIEDRICH and VIRGINIA SCHORR MEMORIAL AWARDS in VOICE. Congratulations! To know the exact date when winners and runners-up will be announced, please "like" our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-American-Prize-celebrating-American-excellence-in-the-arts/214320622728?ref=ts" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page or follow us on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/americanprize" target="_blank">#AmericanPrize</a>, where that information will be published first.</p><p><b>The American Prize in Vocal Performance—Friedrich and Virginia Schorr Memorial Award</b> honors the memory of the greatest Wagnerian baritone of his age, Friedrich Schorr, who commanded the operatic stage between the world wars, and his wife, Virginia Schorr, who taught studio voice at the Manhattan School of Music and the Hartt School of Music for nearly fifty years. </p><div><div>All contestants are reminded they are responsible for the viability of their online links to audition materials. Those links must remain active until the end of the contest year. Questions, or to make us aware of any misprints in the listings below, please email: <a href="mailto:theamericanprize@gmail.com">theamericanprize@gmail.com</a> <br /><br /><b>The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts</b> is the nation's most comprehensive series of contests in the performing arts. The American Prize is unique in scope and structure, designed to recognize and reward the best performing artists, directors, ensembles and composers in the United States at professional, college/university, community and high school levels, based on submitted recordings. Now in its fourteenth year, <span>The American Prize was founded in 2010 and is awarded annually in many areas of the performing arts. Thousands of artists from all fifty states have derived benefit from their participation in the contests of The American Prize, </span>representing literally hundreds of communities and arts organizations across the nation.<span> </span><span> </span>Information about the 2024-25 season of contests is now available and applications are being accepted, with preliminary deadlines in April & May. (<a href="http://theamericanprize.org">http://theamericanprize.org</a>)</div><div><br /></div><div><div><b><i><span style="color: #cc0000;">At The American Prize there is never a preset number of finalists in any division</span></i></b>—finalists are those artists who are judged to be worthy of additional consideration and evaluation. Contestants, therefore, do not compete against each other, but in relation to judges' perceived impression of an artistic ideal.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>We invite finalists to make the most of their selection by announcing it on their facebook page, tweeting the news, and including a link to this announcement on their website or blog. A sample announcement may be found at the end of the post.</i></div></div></div><div><br /><h2><span style="color: #cc0000;">NATIONAL FINALISTS: The American Prize in Voice / Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Award—(professional art song/oratorio division), 2024</span></h2><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tony Boutte </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Huntsville TX</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Brian Downen </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">El Paso TX</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cherry Duke </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">El Paso TX </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Barbara Allen Hill </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Somerville MA </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Zhengyingyue Huang </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Walnut CA </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kelvyn Koning </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dorchester MA</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kathryn Leemhuis </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Moorestown NJ </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bryan Pinkall </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Manhattan KS</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Penelope Shumate </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Clarksville TN </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hugo Vera </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Northridge CA</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tzu-Jung Wang </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bloomingdale IL </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mary Wilson </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bartlett TN </span></p></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><h2><span style="color: #cc0000;">NATIONAL FINALISTS: The American Prize in Voice / Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Award—(college/university art song/oratorio division), 2024</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></h2></div>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kristy Hanson </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Encino CA </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Madeleine Lew </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Los Angeles CA </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Xinyi Liu </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Branford CT </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Caitlin M. Towell </span></p>
<div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Glen Carbon IL </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><i><div><i><br /></i></div><div><h2 style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">NATIONAL FINALISTS: The American Prize in Voice / Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Award—(high school art song/oratorio division), 2024</span></h2></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Maya Rose Brown </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delray Beach FL </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Max Foreman </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hampton Cove AL</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Nistha Goswami Nath </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cupertino CA </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Anaika M. Iyer </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Powell OH</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Felix Martinez </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Seattle WA </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Oliver Martinez </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Seattle WA</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Esther Puderbaugh </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Iowa City IA </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hanyamin Wang </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Johns Creek GA</span></p></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><br /></div><div><h2 style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">NATIONAL FINALISTS: The American Prize in Voice / Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Award—(community art song/oratorio & opera division), 2024</span></h2></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kathleen J. Allen </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hayden CO </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bridget Dooley </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Buffalo NY</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Gwen Glass </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Seattle WA</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Penny Hinke </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Seattle WA </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Madeline Ile </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Washington DC</span></p></div><div><i><br /></i></div>*** </i><br /><br />We encourage finalists to make the most of their selection by announcing it on social media, and including a link to this announcement on their website or blog. <br /><br />Here is a sample announcement:<br /><br />"Great News! I've just been selected as a national finalist in the <i>(blank)</i> division of The American Prize national non-profit competitions in the performing arts. Here's the link: <i>(copy link here).</i> The American Prize will be announcing winners in my division soon. You can learn more about this prestigious national competition here: <a href="http://www.theamericanprize.org/">www.theamericanprize.org</a> or follow the news on Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-American-Prize-celebrating-American-excellence-in-the-arts/214320622728">https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-American-Prize-celebrating-American-excellence-in-the-arts/214320622728</a> or Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/americanprize">https://twitter.com/americanprize</a> "<br /><br />Please feel free to modify or expand this announcement to suit your needs.<br /><i><br /></i><i>Congratulations to all finalists<b>.</b></i></div>davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10142661857434106176noreply@blogger.com0Danbury, CT, USA41.394817 -73.454011113.084583163821158 -108.6102611 69.705050836178856 -38.2977611tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903769510370841145.post-29322334244817529282024-02-27T17:00:00.005-05:002024-02-27T17:00:00.132-05:00National finalists: OPERA—The Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Awards, 2024<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislDspapJqKmrm4h8kSDTr_xvS_7UiBYzSHXST4fkzo8XwbYjlp8C1Uet4GPkibPywUVLp6kym2fd_biPCIbu3BRWnrEvNJ8ODK45S8MXqNSEN9yj7jXIiK28dOHDnCK1YHMKkxZy2vmI/s1600/SCHORRicon.png" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislDspapJqKmrm4h8kSDTr_xvS_7UiBYzSHXST4fkzo8XwbYjlp8C1Uet4GPkibPywUVLp6kym2fd_biPCIbu3BRWnrEvNJ8ODK45S8MXqNSEN9yj7jXIiK28dOHDnCK1YHMKkxZy2vmI/w170-h320/SCHORRicon.png" width="170" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Schorr as Wotan</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dear Friends,</span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We have streamlined the process of announcing contest results. Rather than publishing each semi-finalist listing over many weeks, those decisions are now made internally, so that FINALIST announcements for the 2024 season begin now. This change saves a great deal of time and considerably speeds up the process of announcing winners—but please note: nothing else </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">changes—semi-finalists who are not advanced as FINALISTS will still receive certificates at the end of the contest year, as always. Questions? <a href="mailto:theamericanprize@gmail.com">theamericanprize@gmail.com</a></span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><b>The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts</b>, David Volosin Katz, founder and chief judge, is honored to announce NATIONAL FINALISTS in opera and operetta for 2024, The FRIEDRICH and VIRGINIA SCHORR MEMORIAL AWARDS in VOICE. Congratulations! (The community division—opera and art song—will be announced tomorrow.) To know the exact date when winners and runners-up will be announced, please "like" our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-American-Prize-celebrating-American-excellence-in-the-arts/214320622728?ref=ts" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page or follow us on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/americanprize" target="_blank">#AmericanPrize</a>, where that information will be published first.</p><b>The American Prize in Vocal Performance—Friedrich and Virginia Schorr Memorial Award</b> honors the memory of the greatest Wagnerian baritone of his age, Friedrich Schorr, who commanded the operatic stage between the world wars, and his wife, Virginia Schorr, who taught studio voice at the Manhattan School of Music and the Hartt School of Music for nearly fifty years. <div><div><br />All contestants are reminded they are responsible for the viability of their online links to audition materials. Those links must remain active until the end of the contest year. Questions, or to make us aware of any misprints in the listings below, please email: <a href="mailto:theamericanprize@gmail.com">theamericanprize@gmail.com</a> <br /><br /><b>The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts</b> is the nation's most comprehensive series of contests in the performing arts. The American Prize is unique in scope and structure, designed to recognize and reward the best performing artists, directors, ensembles and composers in the United States at professional, college/university, community and high school levels, based on submitted recordings. Now in its fourteenth year, <span>The American Prize was founded in 2010 and is awarded annually in many areas of the performing arts. Thousands of artists from all fifty states have derived benefit from their participation in the contests of The American Prize, </span>representing literally hundreds of communities and arts organizations across the nation.<span> </span><span> </span>Information about the 2024-25 season of contests is now available and applications are being accepted, with preliminary deadlines in April & May. (<a href="http://theamericanprize.org">http://theamericanprize.org</a>)</div><div><br /></div><div><div><b><i><span style="color: #cc0000;">At The American Prize there is never a preset number of finalists in any division</span></i></b>—finalists are those artists who are judged to be worthy of additional consideration and evaluation. Contestants, therefore, do not compete against each other, but in relation to judges' perceived impression of an artistic ideal.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>We invite finalists to make the most of their selection by announcing it on their facebook page, tweeting the news, and including a link to this announcement on their website or blog. A sample announcement may be found at the end of the post.</i></div></div><br /><h2><span style="color: #cc0000;">NATIONAL FINALISTS: The American Prize in Voice / Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Award (opera division), 2024</span></h2><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bonnie Cutsforth-Huber <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">State College PA </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Daniel Ferguson <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">University Place WA</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Madeleine Lew <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Los Angeles CA</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Xinyi Liu <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Branford CT</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Molly Noori <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Irvine CA</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Letitia Stevens <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Malden MA</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Caitlin M. Towell <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Glen Carbon IL</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hugo Vera </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Northridge CA</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kate Wood <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Boston MA</span></p></div><div><br /></div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><i>*** </i><br /><br />We encourage finalists to make the most of their selection by announcing it on social media, and including a link to this announcement on their website or blog. <br /><br />Here is a sample announcement:<br /><br />"Great News! I've just been selected as a national finalist in the <i>(blank)</i> division of The American Prize national non-profit competitions in the performing arts. Here's the link: <i>(copy link here).</i> The American Prize will be announcing winners in my division soon. You can learn more about this prestigious national competition here: <a href="http://www.theamericanprize.org/">www.theamericanprize.org</a> or follow the news on Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-American-Prize-celebrating-American-excellence-in-the-arts/214320622728">https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-American-Prize-celebrating-American-excellence-in-the-arts/214320622728</a> or Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/americanprize">https://twitter.com/americanprize</a> "<br /><br />Please feel free to modify or expand this announcement to suit your needs.<br /><i><br /></i><i>Congratulations to all finalists<b>.</b></i></div>davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10142661857434106176noreply@blogger.com0Danbury, CT, USA41.394817 -73.454011113.084583163821158 -108.6102611 69.705050836178856 -38.2977611tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903769510370841145.post-60440712100451033052024-02-23T10:54:00.001-05:002024-02-23T10:54:19.024-05:00 The American Prize UPDATE 2/23/24<p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQVJRs7ULCBg7xrDglVjz8_9kWvod-EsxoUxgEv_imeLQPOQe3_0U1-tTkF2-wo5kL5hps6n-bOFdQnXix_XaSI7UHwSow_X4LAvmD4LsPeUmOYOkWkL4ew5643VK-X56A4ujvRDDtZonzUkEzOSCB46sOyiXlpjkoZrg9nN3ePLBqsDMMwa8t4zXCpWcA/s925/sealonblack.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="925" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQVJRs7ULCBg7xrDglVjz8_9kWvod-EsxoUxgEv_imeLQPOQe3_0U1-tTkF2-wo5kL5hps6n-bOFdQnXix_XaSI7UHwSow_X4LAvmD4LsPeUmOYOkWkL4ew5643VK-X56A4ujvRDDtZonzUkEzOSCB46sOyiXlpjkoZrg9nN3ePLBqsDMMwa8t4zXCpWcA/w200-h192/sealonblack.png" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>FINALIST ANNOUNCEMENTS BEGIN!</b></span><p></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">As posted earlier, we have streamlined the process of announcing contest results. Rather than publishing each of the many semi-finalist listings over many weeks, those decisions are now being made internally, so that FINALIST announcements for the 2024 season begin next week. This change saves a great deal of time and considerably speeds up the process of announcing winners—but please note: nothing else changes—semi-finalists who are not advanced as FINALISTS will still receive certificates at the end of the contest year, as always. Questions? theamericanprize@gmail.com</span><br /><br /><b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The American Prize in Vocal Performance (opera)—Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Award, 2024</span><br /></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Tue Feb 27, 5pm</span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">On our blog</span><br /><br /><b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The American Prize in Vocal Performance (art song)—Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Award, 2024</span><br /></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Wed Feb 28, 5pm</span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">On our blog</span><br /><br /><b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The American Prize in Chamber Music Performance, 2024</span><br /></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Thur, Feb 29, 5pm</span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">On our blog</span><br /><br /><b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The American Prize in Piano (concerto)—The Lorin Hollander Award, 2024</span><br /></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Tues, Mar 5, 5pm</span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">On our blog</span><br /><br /><b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The American Prize in Piano (solo), 2024</span><br /></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Weds, Mar 6, 5pm</span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">On our blog</span><br /><br /><b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The American Prize in Instrumental Performance, 2024</span><br /></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Tues, Mar 12, 5pm</span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">On our blog</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">BLOG Address: </span><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="http://theamericanprize.blogspot.com/"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">http://theamericanprize.blogspot.com/</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The next group of finalist announcements will be composer categories, then conductors and ensembles, and lastly American Music performance (Bacon Award) finalists.</span></span>davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10142661857434106176noreply@blogger.com0Danbury, CT, USA41.394817 -73.454011113.084583163821158 -108.6102611 69.705050836178856 -38.2977611tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903769510370841145.post-4521620635569814642024-02-16T08:57:00.001-05:002024-02-16T08:57:04.830-05:00Have you seen the latest?<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJvlRDeZSn-J67CQ_pnXXjwP2VZTmCr0XmI8vIrX9aj7YAGxFJX1DVWkpb-VQKIMmsGtPqZZC3Ff9bfPXOc4V_zF2LlJwM9UUYMhgi0MINCyisTI81naX39Z0-SUyICm2GSan7o7FHxplHTEWI5KhNmibx4iYE4VDriRMnBSZE4pyoIc-19BKy0W_Axui/s925/sealonblack.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="925" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJvlRDeZSn-J67CQ_pnXXjwP2VZTmCr0XmI8vIrX9aj7YAGxFJX1DVWkpb-VQKIMmsGtPqZZC3Ff9bfPXOc4V_zF2LlJwM9UUYMhgi0MINCyisTI81naX39Z0-SUyICm2GSan7o7FHxplHTEWI5KhNmibx4iYE4VDriRMnBSZE4pyoIc-19BKy0W_Axui/w200-h192/sealonblack.png" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Have you seen the February edition of “What’s on TAP,” the e-newsletter of The American Prize? </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">It contains the first news about 2024 finalist announcements, information about website updates and international news from TAP laureates. </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Access it through ConstantContact here: </span><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://conta.cc/3SCshgu"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">https://conta.cc/3SCshgu</span></a><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Questions? <a href="mailto:theamericanprize@gmail.com">theamericanprize@gmail.com</a></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10142661857434106176noreply@blogger.com1Danbury, CT, USA41.394817 -73.454011113.084583163821158 -108.6102611 69.705050836178856 -38.2977611tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903769510370841145.post-28282444458631458732024-01-31T10:06:00.005-05:002024-01-31T10:06:59.106-05:00 The American Prize UPDATE 1/31/24<p><br /></p>
<p style="background-color: white; color: #060606; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2tqLyW59wAhfVj0zZ468S6lAcPRhxiWjRNj5c95xAtWUnlPhJLY5eFysqk0LkG-jwH6PBPBF6q8_0h4F10DDFPiiSdZKXpsmxoEwiS6NFWyViDJYeiaw2QfEkK2HgAXM0Ry2QA9s6wh3Yc8miq7ghPhyphenhypheni3GL1y66ppmWXlk5v5zU8mjFEzLgi94jF2b6/s925/sealonblack.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="925" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2tqLyW59wAhfVj0zZ468S6lAcPRhxiWjRNj5c95xAtWUnlPhJLY5eFysqk0LkG-jwH6PBPBF6q8_0h4F10DDFPiiSdZKXpsmxoEwiS6NFWyViDJYeiaw2QfEkK2HgAXM0Ry2QA9s6wh3Yc8miq7ghPhyphenhypheni3GL1y66ppmWXlk5v5zU8mjFEzLgi94jF2b6/w200-h192/sealonblack.png" width="200" /></a></span></b></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #060606; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></span></b></p><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">UPDATE—2023 CERTIFICATE PACKAGES:</span></b><p></p>
<p style="background-color: white; color: #060606; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The office is continuing to send out certificate packages every week. Please be patient, as each is prepared individually and with care. If your mailing address has changed since you applied, please let us know by emailing theamericanprize@gmail.com and putting “NEW ADDRESS” in the subject line of the email. Thank you.</span></p>
<p style="background-color: white; color: #060606; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="background-color: white; color: #060606; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">UPDATE—STREAMLINING 2024 CONTEST ANNOUNCEMENTS: </span></b></p>
<p style="background-color: white; color: #060606; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #060606; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We have streamlined the process. Rather than publishing each of the many semi-finalist listings over many weeks, those decisions are now being made internally so that FINALIST announcements for the 2024 season will begin immediately in February. This change saves a great deal of time and considerably speeds up the process of announcing winners—but please note: nothing else changes—semi-finalists who are not advanced as FINALISTS will still receive certificates at the end of the contest year, as always. Questions? theamericanprize@gmail.com</span></p>
<p style="background-color: white; color: #060606; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="background-color: white; color: #060606; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">UPDATE—2024-25 CONTESTS:</span></b></p>
<p style="background-color: white; color: #060606; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #060606; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We are continuing to update The American Prize website to welcome contestants for the 2024-25 contest year. We anticipate the site will be completely updated by the end of the first week of February. We will announce that date on Facebook, on “X,” and on our blog. We will begin to accept new applications at that time. </span></p>
<p style="background-color: white; color: #060606; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="background-color: white; color: #060606; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">UPDATE—WHAT’s ON TAP:</span></b></p>
<p style="background-color: white; color: #060606; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #060606; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The next edition of “What’s on TAP,” the e-newsletter of The American Prize, will be published next week and include the date when the website update will be completed, ready to begin to accept 2024-25 applications.</span></p>
<p style="background-color: white; color: #060606; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="background-color: white; color: #060606; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Busy! Thanks and best wishes to all our friends, laureates and judges, past, present and future.—DK</span></p>davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10142661857434106176noreply@blogger.com0Danbury, CT, USA41.394817 -73.454011113.084583163821158 -108.6102611 69.705050836178856 -38.2977611tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903769510370841145.post-81100293336924523172024-01-15T11:07:00.001-05:002024-01-15T11:07:18.592-05:00 The American Prize UPDATE 1/15/24<p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_BZ818jkubC1YaF7PJGYuNOhuneMchSPflpOn0xV7YAgi-JWtCtcoeBc46vJLVH_MUL7-GR7vIpUBbOU-r4bRmaKvv0b7e3XPx5IwtkL-pWvKtQUp_bZAMSj3Y4bqarJpktnLAme7LQTj5JTGiHPk8FAfU36QnSItOklU94HkMUeqTHC3kchRvhaVibYd/s925/sealonblack.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="925" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_BZ818jkubC1YaF7PJGYuNOhuneMchSPflpOn0xV7YAgi-JWtCtcoeBc46vJLVH_MUL7-GR7vIpUBbOU-r4bRmaKvv0b7e3XPx5IwtkL-pWvKtQUp_bZAMSj3Y4bqarJpktnLAme7LQTj5JTGiHPk8FAfU36QnSItOklU94HkMUeqTHC3kchRvhaVibYd/s320/sealonblack.png" width="320" /></a></b></div><b><br />Happy new year from the office of The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts. We wish you all a happy, healthy and artistic new year!</b><p></p><b><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">UPDATE: 2023 CERTIFICATE PACKAGES:</span></b><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The office is working hard every day on completing these, sending many out every week. Please be patient, as each is prepared individually and with care. If your mailing address has changed since you applied, please let us know by emailing <a href="mailto:theamericanprize@gmail.com">theamericanprize@gmail.com</a> and putting “NEW ADDRESS” in the subject line of the email. Thank you so much!</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>UPDATE: 2024 CONTEST PROGRSS:</b></span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Later this month we will post the first information about the progress of 2023-24 contest results, as we work to streamline the process. Exciting news coming soon!</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>UPDATE: 2024-25 CONTESTS:</b></span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We have started to update The American Prize website to welcome contestants for the 2024-25 contest year. We anticipate the site will be completely updated by the end of the first week of February and will announce the results here, on “X” and on our blog. We will begin to accept new applications at that time. </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Busy!</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Thanks and best wishes to all our friends, laureates and judges, past, present and future.—DK</span>davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10142661857434106176noreply@blogger.com0Danbury, CT, USA41.394817 -73.454011113.084583163821158 -108.6102611 69.705050836178856 -38.2977611tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903769510370841145.post-78509383625656680222023-12-21T10:56:00.004-05:002023-12-21T10:56:56.787-05:00 Have you seen the December edition of “What’s on TAP,” the e-newsletter of The American Prize?<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #1a1a1a;"></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8UBIllz0usF6Ak1ONL_BRQElOgfT1or9OcMysMdOdPQHi5em31WMarMWRVhRiQpNIJm1uHSDiDVdahCFz_3aWkiIXS-aicuLkW0x4jvao_TWh8mSLV5JATE7LMboT6PgCroXIHzmOfLVcI1SCIgOSquiUVpDlUIn3Y0BhK7Vjt1nrWd1Pp5agKuz_TwX/s925/sealonblack.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="925" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8UBIllz0usF6Ak1ONL_BRQElOgfT1or9OcMysMdOdPQHi5em31WMarMWRVhRiQpNIJm1uHSDiDVdahCFz_3aWkiIXS-aicuLkW0x4jvao_TWh8mSLV5JATE7LMboT6PgCroXIHzmOfLVcI1SCIgOSquiUVpDlUIn3Y0BhK7Vjt1nrWd1Pp5agKuz_TwX/w200-h192/sealonblack.png" width="200" /></a></div><br />Have you seen the December edition of “What’s on TAP,” the e-newsletter of The American Prize?</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It contains links to complete 2023 contest results in all categories. Access it through ConstantContact here: </span></span><a href="https://conta.cc/3Rum5Gz" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>https://conta.cc/3Rum5Gz</b></span></a></p>
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<p style="background-color: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Happy holidays from all of us at The American Prize national nonprofit competitions in the performing arts!</span></p>davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10142661857434106176noreply@blogger.com0Danbury, CT, USA41.394817 -73.454011113.084583163821158 -108.6102611 69.705050836178856 -38.2977611tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903769510370841145.post-73371565279898604822023-12-08T13:13:00.001-05:002023-12-08T13:13:23.277-05:00 The American Prize UPDATE 12/8/23<p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_sU-U9WxjQDiLeEWvZPyCkQ0bf-i5wX77ZFfwqa2YEnvd_NkICYnCHqu-IQTx2cygKagcy_wAhyF4D06JdOvdCdTkhxkOaJ7cm_gShtD4XLRfAGxWiKm7Xph6GUe6E8Ky7FYTQSUGqLH5lqKj01z3rpZa1aqf9dje7aQjNR5piV2XOWkuPWUjIHVPZFu/s925/sealonblack.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="925" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_sU-U9WxjQDiLeEWvZPyCkQ0bf-i5wX77ZFfwqa2YEnvd_NkICYnCHqu-IQTx2cygKagcy_wAhyF4D06JdOvdCdTkhxkOaJ7cm_gShtD4XLRfAGxWiKm7Xph6GUe6E8Ky7FYTQSUGqLH5lqKj01z3rpZa1aqf9dje7aQjNR5piV2XOWkuPWUjIHVPZFu/w200-h192/sealonblack.png" width="200" /></a></div>Coming next week:<p></p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The December edition of “WHAT’s on TAP,” the e-newsletter of The American Prize, featuring:</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">—links to complete listings of 2023 winners, runners-up and honorable mentions</span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">—update on receiving 2023 certificate packages</span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">—first news about 2024 contest announcements</span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">—news of important awards for TAP laureates nationwide</span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">—special holiday framing reminder from Church Hill Classics, our framing partner</span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">—a new way to highlight your success in The American Prize competitions from gotPrideUSA.</span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">—and more!</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">All laureates automatically receive “What’s on TAP.” </span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">If you wish to subscribe, please follow this link: </span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?v=001KYrzQAAWKXnHlI8dcIxB7LkN-VSUr4Dh"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?v=001KYrzQAAWKXnHlI8dcIxB7LkN-VSUr4Dh</span></a><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We never share mailing addresses with anyone and you can unsubscribe at any time.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Happy holidays from The American Prize national nonprofit competitions in the performing arts!</span>davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10142661857434106176noreply@blogger.com0Danbury, CT, USA41.394817 -73.454011113.084583163821158 -108.6102611 69.705050836178856 -38.2977611tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903769510370841145.post-7777583705583444262023-12-06T17:00:00.002-05:002023-12-06T17:00:00.131-05:00National winners: STAGE DIRECTORS (opera), 2023—The Charles Nelson Reilly Prize<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1Xod2-JlQDEvEtxXXcQAPsVO7sZarlpHm1NHa3M85PSBqY1SRPjayoPmhkUUKvTt8_zIZctX2xS-DvIQr4ChEvHlwTCFTZLsL-H6SlryLtrzqeCvin9QCvupEhOTGfKRvGopaZ4ybJbc/s1600/CNReilly.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="198" data-original-width="169" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1Xod2-JlQDEvEtxXXcQAPsVO7sZarlpHm1NHa3M85PSBqY1SRPjayoPmhkUUKvTt8_zIZctX2xS-DvIQr4ChEvHlwTCFTZLsL-H6SlryLtrzqeCvin9QCvupEhOTGfKRvGopaZ4ybJbc/s200/CNReilly.jpg" width="170" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>CNR in "The Life of Reilly"</i></td></tr></tbody></table><b>The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts,</b> David (Volosin) Katz, chief judge, is honored to announce NATIONAL winners and runners-up of The American Prize in Directing (opera division)—The Charles Nelson Reilly Prize, 2023. Congratulations! Questions, or to make us aware of any misprints in the listings below, please email: <a href="mailto:theamericanprize@gmail.com">theamericanprize@gmail.com</a> <br /><div><br /><b>Charles Nelson Reilly </b>was a Tony Award-winning actor and Broadway stage director, and an acclaimed opera director and teacher. Far more than the zany television personality by which he was most often identified, Reilly nurtured the creation of a whole series of unique one-person stage plays. Most famously, he directed Julie Harris in her Tony Award-winning star turn in "The Belle of Amherst", on the life and poetry of Emily Dickinson. Among Reilly's many Broadway directing credits were Ira Levinʼs "Break a Leg", Larry Shueʼs "The Nerd", and the revival of "The Gin Game", starring Julie Harris and Charles Durning, for which Mr. Reilly was the sole American director to be nominated for a Tony in 1997. Mr. Reillyʼs career as an opera director included productions for Chicago Opera Theater, Dallas Opera, San Diego Opera, Palm Beach Opera, Toledo Opera, Milwaukee Opera and Opera Pacific. Charles Nelson Reilly and The American Prize chief judge David Katz were friends for three decades, first meeting through their mutual Hartford voice teacher, Mrs. Friedrich Schorr. Mr. Reilly served as honorary chairperson of the Friedrich Schorr Memorial Performance Prize in Voice from the competition's founding in 1990, until his death. To read more about the career of Charles Nelson Reilly<b>,</b> <span class="emaillink"><a href="http://theamericanprize.blogspot.com/2018/05/the-american-prize-stage-directing.html">please click here</a></span>.<div><br /></div><div><div><span><b>The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts</b> is the nation's most comprehensive series of contests in the performing arts. The American Prize is unique in scope and structure, designed to recognize and reward the best performing artists, directors, ensembles and composers in the United States at professional, college/university, community and high school levels, based on submitted recordings. Now in its thirteenth year, <span>The American Prize was founded in 2010 and is awarded annually in many areas of the performing arts. Thousands of artists from all fifty states have derived benefit from their participation in the contests of The American Prize, </span>representing literally hundreds of communities and arts organizations across the nation.<span> </span>(<a href="http://theamericanprize.org">http://theamericanprize.org</a>)</span></div><div><div><br /></div></div></div><div><h2><span style="color: #e06666;">The American Prize in Directing—The Charles Nelson Reilly Prize, 2023, college/university opera division (larger program)</span></h2><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">The American Prize winner:<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dennis Jesse <br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Louisiana State University <br /></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Orson Rehearsed (Hagen)<br /></span></i></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Baton Rouge LA</b> <br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-4IcP5ARcOaln6R6Bq8AZkCpfsx0ZnhIhxyo5b_QUmbSfnEgdtcvrWmnx4AqZAqJHLa4vABkOY1TwilQZBGoEDA3AtzyUa_D9BoQ2sVOTY3ybfxfaBXMg-FbNas-ADL1qb2qdQJ0_oTc_t1eVbiiozO6FRMZ_IT8qh0xNXyvvVDO_MeqdISpbAhMOiYg/s2992/Dennis%20Jesse%20Headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2776" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-4IcP5ARcOaln6R6Bq8AZkCpfsx0ZnhIhxyo5b_QUmbSfnEgdtcvrWmnx4AqZAqJHLa4vABkOY1TwilQZBGoEDA3AtzyUa_D9BoQ2sVOTY3ybfxfaBXMg-FbNas-ADL1qb2qdQJ0_oTc_t1eVbiiozO6FRMZ_IT8qh0xNXyvvVDO_MeqdISpbAhMOiYg/w594-h640/Dennis%20Jesse%20Headshot.jpg" width="594" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Dennis Jesse </b></td></tr></tbody></table>Dennis Jesse has directed several productions and scenes programs both internationally and domestically. Including She Loves me, The Mikado, Amahl and the Night Visitors, and several Children’s operas. As a professional baritone he has performed in a variety of genres for over thirty years. He began his career on the musical theater stage, moved to operetta and ultimately to grand opera and continues to perform in all these styles. He frequents the stages of many of America’s regional opera houses. He is also a frequent concert soloist with regional symphony orchestras. At Louisiana State University he is a professor of voice and is also the Manager of LSU opera productions. Additionally, he is also the Artistic and General Director of Opera Festival di Roma. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">2nd Place (tie):<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Melanie Helton <br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">MSU Opera Theatre<br /></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Albert Herring <br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Three from the Hearth (Vaughan Williams/Barber/Ravel) <br /></span></i></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>East Lansing MI </b><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzuoYV-dAkkKsRUEYmBImuKxPz7R6vAuR4BqmJkAlgZpTIzckdL7kttP9KHH1nCsfng2YUmIWhG3SbOI12eDyCxCZsfFiw84jfROwii74OcNKcbk6YPmMHO0nGUUwGtliIbphmklhDOlJyHenVbCxVQGm5qVsfY2FW6aWmStN6hiy0mIkc6yA9wKITHON/s5184/Headshot%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5184" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzuoYV-dAkkKsRUEYmBImuKxPz7R6vAuR4BqmJkAlgZpTIzckdL7kttP9KHH1nCsfng2YUmIWhG3SbOI12eDyCxCZsfFiw84jfROwii74OcNKcbk6YPmMHO0nGUUwGtliIbphmklhDOlJyHenVbCxVQGm5qVsfY2FW6aWmStN6hiy0mIkc6yA9wKITHON/w426-h640/Headshot%203.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Melanie Helton</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Melanie Helton is professor of voice (soprano) and director of the MSU Opera Theatre. She made her international debut as Marietta/Marie in Korngold's <i>Die Tote Stadt</i> at the Brisbane (Australia) Biennial. Her successes include the title roles in <i>Lucrezia Borgia</i> at the Caramoor International Music Festival, Alice Ford at the New York City Opera, Maddalena in <i>Andréa Chénier</i>, Elsa in <i>Lohengrin </i>and Leonora in <i>Il Trovatore</i> for Seattle Opera, and the title role in <i>Norma </i>for Teatro de Colon, Bogotà. Ms. Helton has directed over 50 works in her tenure as Director/Producer of MSU Opera Theatre. Her productions of “A Room with a View”, “The Magic Flute” and “The Pirates of Penzance” won first prize honors from National Opera Association. She is a multiple finalist in production and stage director from the American Prize. The soprano earned a Bachelor of Music degree with honors from Indiana University, and a Master of Music with honors from the University of Houston. <a href="http://www.music.msu.edu/"><span style="color: #103cc0;">www.music.msu.edu</span></a>.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">2nd Place (tie):<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Darren P. Lawson <br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bob Jones University <br /></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Samson et Dalila<br /></span></i></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Greenville SC </b><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJFVph3VnspoYOi0W1BZp40eCM3CIMzx1Uxkg2xNbVqpscrnmzK_cqLy4-7-PhOrOLBFfzT-PzBQNTj4YUJug3FWxEAey-GH6CgeuU286kTJZBdXDGCBi-8nDKsu5NDHIdqaRUuy6oYU9Za8YlRS9Li5WT5vhEN5wprY84GiQnh3zciWIFIufRxt3HP_s/s3504/Lawson%20Headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3504" data-original-width="2336" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJFVph3VnspoYOi0W1BZp40eCM3CIMzx1Uxkg2xNbVqpscrnmzK_cqLy4-7-PhOrOLBFfzT-PzBQNTj4YUJug3FWxEAey-GH6CgeuU286kTJZBdXDGCBi-8nDKsu5NDHIdqaRUuy6oYU9Za8YlRS9Li5WT5vhEN5wprY84GiQnh3zciWIFIufRxt3HP_s/w426-h640/Lawson%20Headshot.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Darren P. Lawson</b></td></tr></tbody></table>The Bob Jones University Opera Association was founded in 1942 as part of the university’s commitment to liberal arts training for all of its students, who are provided free tickets to the productions. It has become a national award-winning organization that mounts major operatic works, including <i>Aida</i>, <i>Mefistofele</i>, <i>Samson et Dalila</i>, <i>Tosca</i>, <i>Andrea Chenier</i>, <i>L’Elisir d’Amore</i>, <i>Il Barbiere di Siviglia</i>, <i>Il Trovatore</i>, <i>Rigoletto</i>, <i>La Cenerentola</i>, and others. The group also presents large-scale musicals as part of its season, including <i>Little Women: The Broadway Musical</i> and <i>Titanic: The Musical</i>. Productions are presented regularly, with guest artists featured in the principal roles along with student and faculty soloists. Supporting roles and chorus parts are taken by students who show requisite ability. <a href="http://www.bju.edu/events/fine-arts/concert-operadrama/archive/"><span style="color: #103cc0;">http://www.bju.edu/events/fine-arts/concert-operadrama/archive/</span></a></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">3rd Place:<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Brandon McShaffrey <br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Temple University<br /></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Le nozze di Figaro <br /></span></i></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Philadelphia PA </b><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7iJVkFgLYmecKgtnqGLx_G3rTMEmSoZZzM4ZHeyRAedGhDhxOD5R2Paof87sAKU7NXXHOdnCiRYsT3zHS8N5xWJ-2RY6tS0KD5hol3hszEPaMMugOqX-XIk5IQ0PowBdogedzOB3DcujpkbzO58Pj77x-naFok36IK1SPivKZAA6Jts1Dp6CDxpDVzItX/s5184/McShaffrey%20Headshot%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5184" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7iJVkFgLYmecKgtnqGLx_G3rTMEmSoZZzM4ZHeyRAedGhDhxOD5R2Paof87sAKU7NXXHOdnCiRYsT3zHS8N5xWJ-2RY6tS0KD5hol3hszEPaMMugOqX-XIk5IQ0PowBdogedzOB3DcujpkbzO58Pj77x-naFok36IK1SPivKZAA6Jts1Dp6CDxpDVzItX/w426-h640/McShaffrey%20Headshot%20(2).jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Brandon McShaffrey</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Brandon McShaffrey has been teaching at Temple University since 2009. He is currently the Head of Opera Production at Temple University. With TU Opera Theater he has directed <i>Le nozze di Figaro </i>(Mozart), <i>Turn of the Screw </i>(Britten), <i>L’elisir d’amore (</i>Donizetti)<i>,</i> <i>Il Ritorno d’ulisse in patria </i>(Monteverdi)<i>, Der schauspieldirektor </i>(Mozart)<i>, La Canterina </i>(Hadyn)<i>, Trouble in Tahiti </i>(Bernstein), <i>Dido and Aeneas </i>(Purcell), <i>The Merry Widow (</i>Lehar), and <i>Hansel und Gretel </i>(Humperdink) and looks forward to their upcoming production of <i>Dark Sisters </i>(Muhly). He runs both graduate and Undergraduate Opera workshops and produces 6 annual Aria/Scenes program. Professionally he has directed over 20 productions at Maples Repertory Theater. Is an active member of the National Opera Association. He is a founding member and Producing Director of Mauckingbird Theater Company (Philadelphia’s profession LGBT theater company.)</span></div><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #e06666;">The American Prize in Directing—The Charles Nelson Reilly Prize, 2023, college/university opera division (smaller program)</span></h2><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The American Prize winner:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Rob Glaubitz </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>University of Central Oklahoma </b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The Consul </b></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Edmond OK </b> </span></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwXR_hK2rm1IqqMyARpoLGjNcxZ0y4QIlpoh2q0szFbcxezPUSJBLJbENTJdIkvLXjmUKhkz557gEM-wd5rbJor6RRB5ji8QyuVWAOPEq_IaqxtCOjMtBhDFABKq6gvs2mvkDdiefuirRVmC7sAQblpQvQt2evAE4WXH6X5aq9HQLHYQCMq5FdOBHEP-1/s1500/Glaubitz-009%20smaller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwXR_hK2rm1IqqMyARpoLGjNcxZ0y4QIlpoh2q0szFbcxezPUSJBLJbENTJdIkvLXjmUKhkz557gEM-wd5rbJor6RRB5ji8QyuVWAOPEq_IaqxtCOjMtBhDFABKq6gvs2mvkDdiefuirRVmC7sAQblpQvQt2evAE4WXH6X5aq9HQLHYQCMq5FdOBHEP-1/w512-h640/Glaubitz-009%20smaller.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Rob Glaubitz</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Dr. Rob Glaubitz is the Director of UCO Opera at the University of Central Oklahoma School of Music in Edmond, Oklahoma. Under the direction of Dr. Glaubitz, UCO Opera has won multiple awards, including best director (Rob Glaubitz) of a streaming production for “Cendrillion” (2021, Oklahoma Broadway World) and 2nd place in the 2020 National Opera Association opera production competition for “Cosi fan tutte”. Dr. Glaubitz is also Director of the UCO School of Music as well as Artistic Director for Painted Sky Opera which is Oklahoma City’s professional opera company. More info: <a href="https://www3.uco.edu/centraldirectory/profiles/765590"><span style="color: #103cc0;">https://www3.uco.edu/centraldirectory/profiles/765590</span></a></span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2nd Place (tie):</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Benjamin Smolder & Tiffany Lusht</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Miami University </b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Hydrogen Jukebox (Glass) </b></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Oxford OH </b> </span></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6xXZd_OctHBpnDqx49e3loWo3u-HHeliXaN4KEF_fv3J4_xTMXyX_p15QxXoxyoiKxWctkQ4295cypNBiynq9iZ1cLZceip6oh83dkHBYuqTsH2O3bO4HqcSiMr9TPnFUtHxapy8VeQrve4jkB7fe-jxuj3fwltzSSS2b1UZBTSpQR7Z3xricjpk5vB6/s3686/smolder.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3686" data-original-width="3283" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6xXZd_OctHBpnDqx49e3loWo3u-HHeliXaN4KEF_fv3J4_xTMXyX_p15QxXoxyoiKxWctkQ4295cypNBiynq9iZ1cLZceip6oh83dkHBYuqTsH2O3bO4HqcSiMr9TPnFUtHxapy8VeQrve4jkB7fe-jxuj3fwltzSSS2b1UZBTSpQR7Z3xricjpk5vB6/w570-h640/smolder.jpeg" width="570" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Benjamin Smolder</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Benjamin Smolder is a professional singer, conductor, stage director and producer of opera, musical theater, and new productions of cabaret. As a singer he has performed principal opera roles with companies in Prague, Vienna, Cairo, and in Italy. In the United states he has performed with companies including Cincinnati Opera, Central City, Spoleto, Santa Fe, Des Moines Opera, Opera Pacific and others. Highlights of his career as a festival soloist include the Santander Festival, Festival Internacional de Música Pau Casals, Festival de Mao and appearances with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center, Cincinnati Symphony, Detroit Symphony, at Carnegie Hall and with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. As a conductor he has received multiple awards from the National Opera Association and serves as conductor for the Festival of International Opera Italia. Smolder’s work as a producer and director include several award-winning productions of new works including a feature-length film of Hydrogen Jukebox by Philip Glass. Smolder has also served on faculty for the Schmidt Vocal Institute and the International Festival of Opera in San Paulo, Brazil. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX3XkTU84ynfeK02x2nr4WwQY9va2FwXOHk_47_Urfkcli_DTfdOHMGpShrOtLFFoy13a76BksA8L-X6I_FTqBX5Uu5OUJhzC16WitvLEvcW8WHKP2r6Q6xLspRZ9ANQbV-DPgMxbVBVHLoo51WbepGhQqTIwXwrOZbkKDOwNElgZ0EMCC_gka_Ma_9ZUy/s1596/tiffany.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1596" data-original-width="1208" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX3XkTU84ynfeK02x2nr4WwQY9va2FwXOHk_47_Urfkcli_DTfdOHMGpShrOtLFFoy13a76BksA8L-X6I_FTqBX5Uu5OUJhzC16WitvLEvcW8WHKP2r6Q6xLspRZ9ANQbV-DPgMxbVBVHLoo51WbepGhQqTIwXwrOZbkKDOwNElgZ0EMCC_gka_Ma_9ZUy/w484-h640/tiffany.png" width="484" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Tiffany Lusht</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Tiffany Lusht is a production professional who has worked in almost every area of theatre production. She has performed in front of, on and behind the stage as a producer, director, choreographer, actor and dancer, and has designed sets, lighting and costumes. She started a small non-profit theatre company in NYC before relocating to Cincinnati. Tiffany is a founding partner of the Cincinnati-based audio, video and event production company, Mind Ignition, and works as a freelance designer on the side. Tiffany has served as a director, cinematographer, scenic designer, production manager, and choreographer for Miami Opera Theater. </span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2nd Place (tie):</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Madeleine Snow</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Eastman Opera Theatre </b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>La Calisto (Cavalli)</b></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Rochester NY</b></span></div></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvjGCenfMEgMPI7niqqNsCN-bc3KTHvBDG2xg0JjTYU2GeZ9MxUgJY8DCAWn0sHeCZhWmZzSZBMsLLS3XzMimTSRMV0O1Ei877jLuI2kayPOSdk5B78L27fnPpOiW497z5_5XFCWYDzFVAX2zh8alwPiHHrGxlVfIf4fL9pHS8Wro49q6Zf2vpH1vQnaj/s4245/Madeleine%20Snow%20Headshot%202022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4245" data-original-width="3396" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvjGCenfMEgMPI7niqqNsCN-bc3KTHvBDG2xg0JjTYU2GeZ9MxUgJY8DCAWn0sHeCZhWmZzSZBMsLLS3XzMimTSRMV0O1Ei877jLuI2kayPOSdk5B78L27fnPpOiW497z5_5XFCWYDzFVAX2zh8alwPiHHrGxlVfIf4fL9pHS8Wro49q6Zf2vpH1vQnaj/w512-h640/Madeleine%20Snow%20Headshot%202022.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Madeleine Snow</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Madeleine Snow is a director and creative collaborator whose work spans opera, theatre, and film. She has directed productions throughout Boston and New York, including <i>Die Zauberflöte</i>, <i>Die Fledermaus</i>, <i>Cendrillon</i>, <i>La Calisto</i>, and the world premiere of <i>Rise: A New Musical</i>, and she has assistant directed productions of <i>La Traviata, The Magic Flute</i>, <i>Carmen, L’Amant Anonyme, Hansel and Gretel, Into the Woods, Proving Up, </i>and <i>Elizabeth Cree. </i>She has held positions in production and administration with Harvard College Opera, Lowell House Opera, Boston Youth Symphony, Eastman Opera Theatre, Rochester Summer Opera, Rochester Philharmonic, American Repertory Theatre, Boston Lyric Opera, and Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. Madeleine earned an M.M. in Opera Stage Directing from the Eastman School of Music and a B.A. in Psychology and Theater, Dance and Media studies at Harvard University, and she completed additional training in theatrical directing through the Kennedy Center. <a href="http://www.madeleinesnow.com/"><span style="color: #103cc0;">www.madeleinesnow.com</span></a></span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3rd Place (tie):</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Stella Markou </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>University of Missouri-St Louis</b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The Telephone </b></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>St Louis MO </b> </span></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqHmQKRBW2tGUpQ-KVkXLK6Hk1zFNjsilZBrjd1EbTAN2JNb9MVMbYBLN8I1uI9_UrTokFY8VfCCzrYTUyRV3tR6Ws4gBQ8fedYX04SCVgGa8nFF4QsBUryVuoFqGoo_fWk9ZzdEuAekZtLyw93GqOues0m92S0cSxxE518iO9PL8S8OUcNOHOhjbb2pP3/s4024/Stella%20Markou%20Headshot%20AP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4024" data-original-width="3720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqHmQKRBW2tGUpQ-KVkXLK6Hk1zFNjsilZBrjd1EbTAN2JNb9MVMbYBLN8I1uI9_UrTokFY8VfCCzrYTUyRV3tR6Ws4gBQ8fedYX04SCVgGa8nFF4QsBUryVuoFqGoo_fWk9ZzdEuAekZtLyw93GqOues0m92S0cSxxE518iO9PL8S8OUcNOHOhjbb2pP3/w592-h640/Stella%20Markou%20Headshot%20AP.jpg" width="592" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Stella Markou</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Sought after as a director, performer and educator, soprano Stella Markou has built a nationally-recognized opera program from the ground up. Receiving top prizes from the National Opera Association and The American Prize, Dr. Markou has produced and directed numerous productions ranging from the Baroque to the 21st-Century. Dr. Markou has performed internationally at the Paros, Naxos, Siletz Bay, Xorto, and Edinburgh Fringe Festivals, and has been a featured soloist with the Nashville Ballet, Masterworks Chorale, Dance New Amsterdam, Ambassadors of Harmony, and Union Avenue Opera, among others. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">She is Associate Professor of Music and Coordinator of Vocal Studies at the University of Kansas, previously serving as the Director of Vocal Studies and Opera Theatre at UM-St. Louis. She received her degrees from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, the Cleveland Institute of Music, and The University of Arizona. Her work can be found on the SEAMUS and MSR record labels. </span><a href="http://www.stellamarkou.com/" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #103cc0;">www.stellamarkou.com</span></a></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3rd Place (tie):</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Rebecca Renfro </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Sam Houston State University </b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Cendrillon </b></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Huntsville TX </b></span></div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4e3EMVPdog7neVDUQS_XrOgZ9uoAhc2hyphenhyphenWxo7r0MZW5IKe7wVV11jER9GQ_SC9JryA-ggPKct_CTwI65HSA9sxbG1ChEGneDkXVvtcNVbtpKB1nzo1VIcY3MY8_oJy0Chuz6oNKGqle220bSIzpzmKVd0JEdM5KeLqioRP6SaO7w56eorLb9g4hX4NGqv/s3000/Rebecca%20Renfro%20Head%20Shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="2400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4e3EMVPdog7neVDUQS_XrOgZ9uoAhc2hyphenhyphenWxo7r0MZW5IKe7wVV11jER9GQ_SC9JryA-ggPKct_CTwI65HSA9sxbG1ChEGneDkXVvtcNVbtpKB1nzo1VIcY3MY8_oJy0Chuz6oNKGqle220bSIzpzmKVd0JEdM5KeLqioRP6SaO7w56eorLb9g4hX4NGqv/w512-h640/Rebecca%20Renfro%20Head%20Shot.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Rebecca Renfro</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Rebecca L. Renfro</b> is currently a Professor of Music at Sam Houston State University, where she holds the title of Director of Opera in addition to her work as a studio voice teacher. Dr. Renfro’s directing credits include productions for Greater Worcester Opera, Opera del West, University of Connecticut Opera Theater, Lone Star College, Lone Star Lyric Opera, and the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival. Under her leadership, SHSU Opera has garnered national recognition, having been selected as an NOA Collegiate Opera Scenes Competition finalist from 2011-2021, with numerous first and second place commendations. The ensemble was awarded a 2012 Production Competition prize from the National Opera Association, and was honored with the American Prize in Collegiate Opera in both 2014 and 2015, respectively. SHSU Opera made its international debut in May 2018 with a performance of <i>Dido and Aeneas</i> at Kobe College in Nishinomiya, Japan under Dr. Renfro’s direction.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p>
<div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px;"> </span> </div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><i>*** </i><br /></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Congratulations!</i></div></div></div>davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10142661857434106176noreply@blogger.com0Danbury, CT, USA41.394817 -73.454011113.084583163821158 -108.6102611 69.705050836178856 -38.2977611tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903769510370841145.post-38594916569897077112023-12-04T17:00:00.008-05:002023-12-06T11:18:06.813-05:00National winners: OPERA COMPANIES, 2023<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIDSS0bggCl-2WNzPIbJ3BoP6BifGTvTKudMoKP9LopodSIokXIT7Jh-wvE5nLM5N1sbhN1eEskqM_2cxClMNKAehpgglLLn_0nKt6redx8wlzptx47dtutpqaN7xMicmB8OU925dmhO8/s1600/OPERA.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="379" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIDSS0bggCl-2WNzPIbJ3BoP6BifGTvTKudMoKP9LopodSIokXIT7Jh-wvE5nLM5N1sbhN1eEskqM_2cxClMNKAehpgglLLn_0nKt6redx8wlzptx47dtutpqaN7xMicmB8OU925dmhO8/s200/OPERA.png" width="175" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Enrico Caruso as Canio in I Pagliacci</i></td></tr></tbody></table><i>(This listing was updated December 6, 2023 to include an additional Finalist Honorable Mention/Citation Recipient.—DK)</i><div><b><br /></b><div><b>The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts</b>, David (Volosin) Katz, chief judge, is honored to announce NATIONAL winners, runners-up and honorable mentions of The American Prize in Opera Performance, 2023. Congratulations! Questions, or to make us aware of any misprints in the listings below, please email: <a href="mailto:theamericanprize@gmail.com">theamericanprize@gmail.com</a><br /><p><span><b>The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts</b> is the nation's most comprehensive series of contests in the performing arts. The American Prize is unique in scope and structure, designed to recognize and reward the best performing artists, directors, ensembles and composers in the United States at professional, college/university, community and high school levels, based on submitted recordings. Now in its thirteenth year, <span>The American Prize was founded in 2010 and is awarded annually in many areas of the performing arts. Thousands of artists from all fifty states have derived benefit from their participation in the contests of The American Prize, </span>representing literally hundreds of communities and arts organizations across the nation.<span> </span>(<a href="http://theamericanprize.org">http://theamericanprize.org</a>)</span></p><h2><span style="color: #e06666;">The American Prize in Opera Performance—professional division, 2023</span></h2><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">The American Prize winner:<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Glow Lyric Theatre <br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Christian Elser<br /></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Stinney: An American Execution (Pollock)<br /></span></i></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Greenville SC </b><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRc3HAvPQxLGaUUuCxoHs18sMzPylakdjjHiHWIj4jlIkv-fkIIvh2hFDBnPu75WdM71Pfqxe3G_Zmut5WHvy7GsKIFtFlZL0hS4TLnrOzNPGNeNzrk4uwLN4NZVKLrbvATIzXqZLtNRHM7EH6g9hmYBExKtu5gMgMB6cbV7dKZsbnjqULCdC0jiYmOR0/s5566/glow.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3131" data-original-width="5566" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRc3HAvPQxLGaUUuCxoHs18sMzPylakdjjHiHWIj4jlIkv-fkIIvh2hFDBnPu75WdM71Pfqxe3G_Zmut5WHvy7GsKIFtFlZL0hS4TLnrOzNPGNeNzrk4uwLN4NZVKLrbvATIzXqZLtNRHM7EH6g9hmYBExKtu5gMgMB6cbV7dKZsbnjqULCdC0jiYmOR0/w640-h360/glow.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Glow Lyric Theatre</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Glow Lyric Theatre strives to be the country’s most innovative leader in the fusion of opera, operetta and musical theatre. Glow seeks to produce nationally recognized work that is socially relevant, and serve as a unique example of utilizing theatre for social change, and annually provides a wide array of opera, operetta and musical theatre performances each season. Glow ’s Summer Festival features three fully produced performances and the and the Raising Voices Series consists of three to five concerts or chamber operas each year. Glow strives to partner with regional and international artists to bring diverse, innovative and challenging programming to South Carolina.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">2nd Place: <br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pacific Opera Project <br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Josh Shaw<br /></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Iolanta (Tchaikovsky)<br /></span></i></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Los Angeles CA </b><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPGnqi_I4Ss5V86DRrg1Ajb21IXVgkhrKdG0APlm_-lDgBsjg1oAaU92FyODuG4VMq6JMxWRL3kiD1TnO8XgZ_-kbpXVR9BviK8vqZWg86sYewbMaha7vS66tv6DNu0kYlPLMn8w-zh324sc9C6qTy98cpllbszKy1wCoi2SOa_b6YKqBoKMzIF9kkJ3wL/s2048/pacific.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="972" data-original-width="2048" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPGnqi_I4Ss5V86DRrg1Ajb21IXVgkhrKdG0APlm_-lDgBsjg1oAaU92FyODuG4VMq6JMxWRL3kiD1TnO8XgZ_-kbpXVR9BviK8vqZWg86sYewbMaha7vS66tv6DNu0kYlPLMn8w-zh324sc9C6qTy98cpllbszKy1wCoi2SOa_b6YKqBoKMzIF9kkJ3wL/w640-h304/pacific.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Pacific Opera Project </b></td></tr></tbody></table>Pacific Opera Project was founded in July of 2011 with the purpose of bringing accessible, affordable, and ENTERTAINING opera to audiences across Los Angeles. Since that time, POP has presented over 50 operas ranging from world premieres, to the classics, to updated takes on traditional operas. Company highlights include <i>Superflute</i> (a new English version of The Magic Flute set in the worlds of 1990s video games), a bilingual <i>Madama Butterfly</i> sung in English and Japanese, co-commission of <i>I Can't Breathe</i>, and <i>Abduction</i> (a new Star Trek setting of Mozart's <span style="color: #18191a; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><i>Die Entführung aus dem Serail</i></span>). During the pandemic, POP was the very first performing arts organization in Los Angeles County to produce live, in-person theatre or performance of any kind and went on to produce eight fully-staged, in-person operas between October 2020 and November 2021. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">3rd Place (tie):<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Chicago Fringe Opera<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Catherine O'Shaughnessy<br /></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Two Remain (Out of Darkness) (Heggie)<br /></span></i></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Chicago IL </b> <br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUhPZL2RxxnvX8HKs35SNN4_XwxINzmUyGHVxM8cfjZqkQKZmaI3ypQmWmzBWMZX_2d4WesOcyC_ZaV9AiOoFEtjD4BVuBuhGVJaf9d6Ei_P2vuZtfRn8t8T2MZGMGwPdvrJgCzaSJK3ZnDe_HKjS2ci2jgujI3e5r_1ExAW_t-Ib_IVgIBbRRfeQAYrV/s1200/Two%20Remain%20-%20Chicago%20Fringe%20Opera.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="1200" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUhPZL2RxxnvX8HKs35SNN4_XwxINzmUyGHVxM8cfjZqkQKZmaI3ypQmWmzBWMZX_2d4WesOcyC_ZaV9AiOoFEtjD4BVuBuhGVJaf9d6Ei_P2vuZtfRn8t8T2MZGMGwPdvrJgCzaSJK3ZnDe_HKjS2ci2jgujI3e5r_1ExAW_t-Ib_IVgIBbRRfeQAYrV/w640-h386/Two%20Remain%20-%20Chicago%20Fringe%20Opera.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Chicago Fringe Opera</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Chicago Fringe Opera is dedicated to presenting innovative vocal works with an emphasis on new and contemporary styles, engaging with the Chicago community through intimate and immersive performance experiences, and fostering and empowering local artists. For more information, see <a href="http://www.chicagofringeopera.com/"><span style="color: #103cc0;">www.chicagofringeopera.com</span></a></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">3rd Place (tie):<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Opera in the Pines<br /> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lauren Yokabaskas <br /></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Diary of Anne Frank (Frid)<br /></span></i></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Portland ME </b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5SDdnBpHVnXl5crSqP-TqhQ58GHgLNi6EUA5vgBhGLSyXVIX-4Lj6E_fP1VuwQHq4nMzrp-mnWjOwpbRTSVEue_PXwrqDLeiULVeLvBamZ8eDnCyA71BVVab24uyJjkuFE9ZmlROlWggI7L7QqUAkg5aqSHJxsNjNA2kvsBBKt8su_Inne7e9nCxYaz3O/s2010/pines.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1804" data-original-width="2010" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5SDdnBpHVnXl5crSqP-TqhQ58GHgLNi6EUA5vgBhGLSyXVIX-4Lj6E_fP1VuwQHq4nMzrp-mnWjOwpbRTSVEue_PXwrqDLeiULVeLvBamZ8eDnCyA71BVVab24uyJjkuFE9ZmlROlWggI7L7QqUAkg5aqSHJxsNjNA2kvsBBKt8su_Inne7e9nCxYaz3O/w640-h574/pines.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Opera in the Pines</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Founded by three Maine raised opera singers, Opera in the Pines is an alternative opera company committed to reinventing the opera experience. We strive to provide other Maine based artists with the opportunity to showcase their talents, utilize unconventional spaces, and intimate performance experiences for both seasoned opera lovers and new audiences alike. The mission of Opera in the Pines is to enrich Maine communities with high-quality musical experiences through unique operatic productions, educational programs, and other opera-related activities, regardless of age, awareness, or background. <i>The Diary of Anne Frank</i>, produced in collaboration with the Maine Jewish Museum, is the first production for the company. For more information, please visit <a href="http://operainthepines.com/"><span style="color: #103cc0;">operainthepines.com</span></a>.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Finalist Honorable Mention & Special Judges' Citation: Company Encouragement Certificate</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Lowbrow Opera Collective</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Katie Kelley</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Seattle WA</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>adulting2: here we go again (Brooks/Nichols)</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><h3 style="caret-color: rgb(248, 113, 76); font-weight: var(--heading-font-font-weight); line-height: calc(var(--heading-font-line-height) * (1 + (1 - var(--heading-3-size-value))/25)); margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: black; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLodtyFVtCHOdja1OwHf9HdfhPJFsou4t8kjtychdB0ctZaX90nhblmgogzN0lps3nO32K8oGPcutDQ5tuhQJWWUZ-7VF7yQx_5top5lu0jz6qgPVr3otZqM7laTQIIE0af5nRU-sQQOqtmuxUVCo7SiyQbh4d6ES-uhkAQLkF2LL4eBW40YyfHd78E6F6/s2058/lowbrow.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1302" data-original-width="2058" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLodtyFVtCHOdja1OwHf9HdfhPJFsou4t8kjtychdB0ctZaX90nhblmgogzN0lps3nO32K8oGPcutDQ5tuhQJWWUZ-7VF7yQx_5top5lu0jz6qgPVr3otZqM7laTQIIE0af5nRU-sQQOqtmuxUVCo7SiyQbh4d6ES-uhkAQLkF2LL4eBW40YyfHd78E6F6/w640-h404/lowbrow.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: left;">Lowbrow Opera Collective</b></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lowbrow Opera Collective is a nonprofit regional theater company revitalizing opera performance by presenting new works that are accessible to the modern audience. Our vision is for opera to thrive as an evolving art form by telling new and relevant stories to diverse audiences. We believe in prioritizing new works that are accessible and approachable, which to us means that opera can be unpretentious and honest. This requires developing intimate relationships between audiences and performers. We believe in supporting and collaborating with innovative organizations for the benefit of the greater performing arts community.</span><a href="https://lowbrowoc.org/"><span style="font-size: small;"> https://lowbrowoc.org/ </span></a></span></div><p></p></h3></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Finalist Honorable Mention:<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Painted Sky Opera <br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rob Glaubitz <br /></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">As One (Kaminsky) <br /></span></i></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Oklahoma City OK </b><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDk2cPljXcf9GuEQrSuQIe2Ql8DLOpry3LOFV0bqnnN8JYWZL_OCCaihwL6LXihjXMxxeTl0ZkIKwJ2HUmindRYi1OP8D1fctGnP4gciail57kDQralQrpKyPDtBRcHlLd_BN5YOo90rzFfjVK2u1N0hm5RONIE7MXmiXZ_GMRXG_8xBBAKC-00kuwfN4W/s982/AsOne-035small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="982" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDk2cPljXcf9GuEQrSuQIe2Ql8DLOpry3LOFV0bqnnN8JYWZL_OCCaihwL6LXihjXMxxeTl0ZkIKwJ2HUmindRYi1OP8D1fctGnP4gciail57kDQralQrpKyPDtBRcHlLd_BN5YOo90rzFfjVK2u1N0hm5RONIE7MXmiXZ_GMRXG_8xBBAKC-00kuwfN4W/w522-h640/AsOne-035small.jpg" width="522" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: left;">Painted Sky Opera</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Painted Sky Opera is Oklahoma City's professional opera company. Founded in 2014 by Executive Director Barbara Fox DeMaio and Artistic Director Rob </span><span class="il" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;">Glaubitz</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;">, Painted Sky Opera's mission is to present innovative, inspiring opera through performance and education, featuring emerging professional artists in Central Oklahoma. Now in its sixth season, Painted Sky Opera presents four operas as well as connects thousands of students each year in service of this mission. Painted Sky Opera presents a mix of classic operas as well as modern American operas, including the Oklahoma premieres of Heggie’s “Three Decembers”, Cipullo’s “Glory Denied”, and Kaminsky’s “As One”. Painted Sky Opera is a resident company of Civic Center Music Hall. For more information: </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.paintedskyopera.org&source=gmail&ust=1701795077940000&usg=AOvVaw2YSwydl-nezmdiUJLCYZJn" href="http://www.paintedskyopera.org/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.paintedskyopera.org</a></span></div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"></p><div></div><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><div><div style="text-align: left;"><h2><span style="color: #e06666;">The American Prize in Opera Performance—college/university (larger program), 2023</span></h2></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The American Prize winner:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>MSU Opera Theatre </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Melanie Helton </b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Albert Herring </b></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>East Lansing MI </b></span></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jwuGrtlD5tDmGKFIAKos9Em6RXBVfmfSu6F1n_v_lLWLXpZYAVhYU_QAOdj3mhL1AMl84Vf4oM6FTImhTUhxGR2gg6Aju0mbV0XwVA_L8I62LOBwxK3K2kOeQYDYBmB5Axhe5VF8qoq8xm52oX_rt3kb4KrcLKu_8vCN1lHuy3LqPlMGS1LVRh9jcSrE/s6720/Threnody.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4480" data-original-width="6720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jwuGrtlD5tDmGKFIAKos9Em6RXBVfmfSu6F1n_v_lLWLXpZYAVhYU_QAOdj3mhL1AMl84Vf4oM6FTImhTUhxGR2gg6Aju0mbV0XwVA_L8I62LOBwxK3K2kOeQYDYBmB5Axhe5VF8qoq8xm52oX_rt3kb4KrcLKu_8vCN1lHuy3LqPlMGS1LVRh9jcSrE/w640-h426/Threnody.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">MSU Opera Theatre</b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;">Melanie Helton is professor of voice (soprano) and director of the MSU Opera Theatre. She made her international debut as Marietta/Marie in Korngold's <i>Die Tote Stadt</i> at the Brisbane (Australia) Biennial. Her successes include the title roles in <i>Lucrezia Borgia</i> at the Caramoor International Music Festival, Alice Ford at the New York City Opera, Maddalena in <i>Andréa Chénier</i>, Elsa in <i>Lohengrin </i>and Leonora in <i>Il Trovatore</i> for Seattle Opera, and the title role in <i>Norma </i>for Teatro de Colon, Bogotà. Ms. Helton has directed over 50 works in her tenure as Director/Producer of MSU Opera Theatre. Her productions of “A Room with a View”, “The Magic Flute” and “The Pirates of Penzance” won first prize honors from National Opera Association. She is a multiple finalist in production and stage director from the American Prize. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The soprano earned a Bachelor of Music degree with honors from Indiana University, and a Master of Music with honors from the University of Houston. </span><a href="http://www.music.msu.edu/" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #103cc0;">www.music.msu.edu</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span><p></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2nd Place:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Bob Jones University Opera</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Darren P. Lawson </b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Samson et Dalila</b></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Greenville SC </b></span></div></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjold2qui0wCHjp8uyjnkjeDser2Hgz_s6R9gjOQKYW4X3tR6cIaTqsAbdFNv6VTlE7iM04o9R364-18UkQQvtl8j5ZIUnFEAH6N5kYPkuAP3fWSVA7JKAJzUioxJQP2tbNNUJuKFE8sSM78qVpfNhpam5OvYTgswCAfWqtxQKz049-M5M9UQQSAbn1Fk9k/s8192/20220226samson-hc71.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5464" data-original-width="8192" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjold2qui0wCHjp8uyjnkjeDser2Hgz_s6R9gjOQKYW4X3tR6cIaTqsAbdFNv6VTlE7iM04o9R364-18UkQQvtl8j5ZIUnFEAH6N5kYPkuAP3fWSVA7JKAJzUioxJQP2tbNNUJuKFE8sSM78qVpfNhpam5OvYTgswCAfWqtxQKz049-M5M9UQQSAbn1Fk9k/w640-h426/20220226samson-hc71.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Bob Jones University Opera</b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Bob Jones University Opera Association was founded in 1942 as part of the university’s commitment to liberal arts training for all of its students, who are provided free tickets to the productions. It has become a national award-winning organization that mounts major operatic works, including </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">Aida</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">, </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">Mefistofele</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">, </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">Samson et Dalila</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">, </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">Tosca</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">, </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">Andrea Chenier</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">, </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">L’Elisir d’Amore</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">, </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">Il Barbiere di Siviglia</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">, </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">Il Trovatore</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">, </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">Rigoletto</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">, </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">La Cenerentola</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">, and others. The group also presents large-scale musicals as part of its season, including </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">Little Women: The Broadway Musical</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> and </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">Titanic: The Musical</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">. Productions are presented regularly, with guest artists featured in the principal roles along with student and faculty soloists. Supporting roles and chorus parts are taken by students who show requisite ability. </span><a href="http://www.bju.edu/events/fine-arts/concert-operadrama/archive/" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #103cc0;">http://www.bju.edu/events/fine-arts/concert-operadrama/archive/</span></a><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3rd Place (tie):</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>LSU Turner-Fischer Opera Center</b><b> </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Dennis Jesse</b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Orson Rehearsed (Hagen)</b></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Baton Rouge LA </b></span></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0apJNz-URaRjMVygKcWLHm_6TP0LArZ1xKSYpckviZ8AG7oF9cbI8iNpz0WHjYMhMCd9D-rqj-t5om5gcXNxc8XG1uLg4wLgxHwn9Ow4I_hJXkeQ_lDWoYJiw-G3S28v2TTKmqeHguqMscbMK7EiYzAbg-c1dxU2XKqEuhMIYcVncrabqq-H_RsMRLqS/s2428/orson.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="2428" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0apJNz-URaRjMVygKcWLHm_6TP0LArZ1xKSYpckviZ8AG7oF9cbI8iNpz0WHjYMhMCd9D-rqj-t5om5gcXNxc8XG1uLg4wLgxHwn9Ow4I_hJXkeQ_lDWoYJiw-G3S28v2TTKmqeHguqMscbMK7EiYzAbg-c1dxU2XKqEuhMIYcVncrabqq-H_RsMRLqS/w640-h304/orson.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">LSU Turner-Fischer Opera Center</b></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dennis Jesse has directed several productions and scenes programs both internationally and domestically. Including She Loves me, The Mikado, Amahl and the Night Visitors, and several Children’s operas. As a professional baritone he has performed in a variety of genres for over thirty years. He began his career on the musical theater stage, moved to operetta and ultimately to grand opera and continues to perform in all these styles. He frequents the stages of many of America’s regional opera houses. He is also a frequent concert soloist with regional symphony orchestras. At Louisiana State University he is a professor of voice and is also the Manager of LSU opera productions. Additionally, he is also the Artistic and General Director of Opera Festival di Roma. </span><p></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3rd Place (tie):</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Moores Opera Center—University of Houston </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Buck Ross </b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Giulio Cesare in Egitto (Handel)</b></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Houston TX </b></span></div></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFHyAgp2twlE26nXSy0PVIDuCrOcxolEOq9YFv3o2wXwSH9HogkNdaJzPOlQaZwaV-h8OHD4_NWqzZlfIHQ_jf8E2mPcrBhyBjieFL5bzkUTNFmCWS6MUcX-auSQZxrT3ERmRzfWKQo19ioctB9qBXimerccNVaThhUj89fBpXwhAOx-YrrNuvWE0AeOc/s3839/Moores%20Opera%20Center%20-%20Giulio%20Cesare%20in%20Egitto.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3839" data-original-width="3665" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFHyAgp2twlE26nXSy0PVIDuCrOcxolEOq9YFv3o2wXwSH9HogkNdaJzPOlQaZwaV-h8OHD4_NWqzZlfIHQ_jf8E2mPcrBhyBjieFL5bzkUTNFmCWS6MUcX-auSQZxrT3ERmRzfWKQo19ioctB9qBXimerccNVaThhUj89fBpXwhAOx-YrrNuvWE0AeOc/w610-h640/Moores%20Opera%20Center%20-%20Giulio%20Cesare%20in%20Egitto.jpg" width="610" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Moores Opera Center—University of Houston</b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Moores Opera Center was founded by Buck Ross in 1986. The Center performs four productions per year in the spectacular Moores Opera House. The company is a champion of new opera, particularly contemporary American works. Notable new works produced by MOC have included John Corigliano’s <i>The Ghosts of Versailles</i>, Dominick Argento’s <i>Casanova’s Homecoming</i> (released on Newport Classic), Conrad Susa’s <i>The Dangerous Liaisons</i>, Robert Nelson’s <i>The School for Scandal</i><b> </b>and<i> A Room with a View</i> (released on Newport Classic DVD), Jonathan Dove’s <i>Flight</i>, and Daniel Catán’s <i>Florencia en el Amazonas</i>. We were the first university to produce Ricky Ian Gordon’s <i>The Grapes of Wrath</i>, Robert Aldridge’s <i>Elmer Gantry</i>, Daron Hagen’s <i>Amelia</i>, John Musto’s <i>The Inspector</i>, David Carlson’s <i>Anna Karenina</i>, Thomas Pasatieri’s <i>Frau Margot</i>, and Catán’s <i>Il Postino</i>. </span><p></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Finalist Honorable Mention:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Melanie Helton </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>MSU Opera Theatre</b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Three from the Hearth (Vaughan Williams/Barber/Ravel) </b></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>East Lansing MI </b></span></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjITxdA6qsJRJ1q6SUBe8-OCY5dfasUxvHbS0ldpVsBWYvDCifPvioE1LEtPjn4brJSUfacww9PkatlenuetrXDuiX6evHy9mzTXoiiPEL9uUu0cNeV5A65pgQi4B-eba4n3UF-d0epES0VlNAuEzWVH7MdNNBEGwxhpouH-1MEw2pWjMJSCJc_PHURi4/s6000/Numbers%20Child.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjITxdA6qsJRJ1q6SUBe8-OCY5dfasUxvHbS0ldpVsBWYvDCifPvioE1LEtPjn4brJSUfacww9PkatlenuetrXDuiX6evHy9mzTXoiiPEL9uUu0cNeV5A65pgQi4B-eba4n3UF-d0epES0VlNAuEzWVH7MdNNBEGwxhpouH-1MEw2pWjMJSCJc_PHURi4/w640-h426/Numbers%20Child.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">MSU Opera Theatre</b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;">Melanie Helton is professor of voice (soprano) and director of the MSU Opera Theatre. She made her international debut as Marietta/Marie in Korngold's <i>Die Tote Stadt</i> at the Brisbane (Australia) Biennial. Her successes include the title roles in <i>Lucrezia Borgia</i> at the Caramoor International Music Festival, Alice Ford at the New York City Opera, Maddalena in <i>Andréa Chénier</i>, Elsa in <i>Lohengrin </i>and Leonora in <i>Il Trovatore</i> for Seattle Opera, and the title role in <i>Norma </i>for Teatro de Colon, Bogotà. Ms. Helton has directed over 50 works in her tenure as Director/Producer of MSU Opera Theatre. Her productions of “A Room with a View”, “The Magic Flute” and “The Pirates of Penzance” won first prize honors from National Opera Association. She is a multiple finalist in production and stage director from the American Prize. The soprano earned a Bachelor of Music degree with honors from Indiana University, and a Master of Music with honors from the University of Houston. <a href="http://www.music.msu.edu/"><span style="color: #103cc0;">www.music.msu.edu</span></a>.</span><p></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Finalist Honorable Mention:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>LSU Turner-Fischer Opera Center</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Dugg McDonough</b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Orphee (Glass) </b></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Baton Rouge LA </b></span></div></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiae0mAOZfjFUJAnau8Vb5hcWLXAmzYC28KB4vfEb3Uzkx8vvm0WSi1p2SbxnZPV3DaFzAJpI88iYRAM0c4nm5sm3Y093gwhK7TTvEhzl9ln2rKcioSuh59-SzyxFJ7ol7qoFHNzN0HhL7_5alseRG2ymFeESPbmVuLT6hOgCZ-_lkHJk00qDYWBAYr5ZFa/s2048/ORPHEE%201.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="964" data-original-width="2048" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiae0mAOZfjFUJAnau8Vb5hcWLXAmzYC28KB4vfEb3Uzkx8vvm0WSi1p2SbxnZPV3DaFzAJpI88iYRAM0c4nm5sm3Y093gwhK7TTvEhzl9ln2rKcioSuh59-SzyxFJ7ol7qoFHNzN0HhL7_5alseRG2ymFeESPbmVuLT6hOgCZ-_lkHJk00qDYWBAYr5ZFa/w640-h302/ORPHEE%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">LSU Turner-Fischer Opera Center</b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Turner-Fischer Center for Opera at LSU, one of the first major university programs in the United States, has<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>produced exceptional singers who have sung on world opera stages such as the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, Lyric<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Opera of Chicago, San Francisco Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Washington National Opera, New York City Opera, The<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Santa Fe Opera, and Royal Opera House at Covent Garden. The Turner-Fischer Center annually produces four mainstage<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>productions: two fully staged and designed shows, accompanied by the LSU Symphony Orchestra, alongside smaller<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>staged works, performed with piano or chamber ensemble. Both standard and contemporary repertoire is<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>programmed, with recent highlights including multiple Collegiate Premieres. In recent years, the Turner-Fischer Center<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>has garnered numerous national awards from organizations like The American Prize and the National Opera </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Association. At LSU, in addition to private voice lessons, singers receive personal music coaching and extensive training</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">in lyric theater stagecraft.</span><p></p></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><h2><span style="color: #e06666;">The American Prize in Opera Performance—college/university (smaller program), 2023</span></h2></div><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The American Prize winner: </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>University of Central Oklahoma </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Rob Glaubitz</b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The Consul </b></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Edmond OK</b></span></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYPJ1jdYs15nzrQQWF3gO_2BABPuUxwIp-BeGV97hv9HkLZ3qJ-m1aPnNF9kPiV91KEratylJRGD010G20XoHTgaUiBm2LDR04ycepKbD7Rg89cSri13zc9hUtmuIR_5gpKuoVdlPQfHpG-1dwfrNBI5an8S-H7JbOANLewEmycvX5V3jFTmj1y1OAzD8/s1200/papers.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1118" data-original-width="1200" height="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYPJ1jdYs15nzrQQWF3gO_2BABPuUxwIp-BeGV97hv9HkLZ3qJ-m1aPnNF9kPiV91KEratylJRGD010G20XoHTgaUiBm2LDR04ycepKbD7Rg89cSri13zc9hUtmuIR_5gpKuoVdlPQfHpG-1dwfrNBI5an8S-H7JbOANLewEmycvX5V3jFTmj1y1OAzD8/w640-h596/papers.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">University of Central Oklahoma</b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;">UCO Opera is a part of the University of Central Oklahoma School of Music. UCO Opera presents three operas a year at the University of Central Oklahoma and trains undergraduate and graduate singers as pre-professional opera singers. Under the direction of Dr. Rob Glaubitz, UCO Opera has won multiple awards, including best director of a streaming production for “Cendrillion” (2021, Oklahoma Broadway World) and 2<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><sup>nd</sup></span> place in the 2020 National Opera Association opera production competition for “Cosi fan tutte”. UCO Opera’s alumni are singing professionally across the country, including at the Metropolitan Opera, as well as locally to Oklahoma at Painted Sky Opera and Tulsa Opera. UCO Opera is a educational member of Opera AMERICA. More info: <a href="http://music.uco.edu/"><span style="color: #103cc0;">music.uco.edu</span></a></span><p></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2nd Place:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Sam Houston State University</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Rebecca L. Renfro </b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Cendrillon </b></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Huntsville TX</b></span></div></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b></b></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtU7PnWVTeyGphVcAo_tllCTOg3lxmWg6x_hFMotaLNetd8lq5lZNFAMBIiWFzwdIsi67PNoV3J63rUJ3UobQr-JRwm3SOsK8tybuehoMri0dheqoQnUi_tDP5Nq4EaDGdReEUrAFy8UysOTZ7s0cYtzZGCFJgd6h5eMmhReRqze1_CRKuYS2T2wtwv2qA/s1260/cendrillon.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="772" data-original-width="1260" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtU7PnWVTeyGphVcAo_tllCTOg3lxmWg6x_hFMotaLNetd8lq5lZNFAMBIiWFzwdIsi67PNoV3J63rUJ3UobQr-JRwm3SOsK8tybuehoMri0dheqoQnUi_tDP5Nq4EaDGdReEUrAFy8UysOTZ7s0cYtzZGCFJgd6h5eMmhReRqze1_CRKuYS2T2wtwv2qA/w640-h392/cendrillon.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Sam Houston State University</b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Rebecca L. Renfro</b> is currently a Professor of Music at Sam Houston State University, where she holds the title of Director of Opera in addition to her work as a studio voice teacher. Dr. Renfro’s directing credits include productions for Greater Worcester Opera, Opera del West, University of Connecticut Opera Theater, Lone Star College, Lone Star Lyric Opera, and the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival. Under her leadership, SHSU Opera has garnered national recognition, having been selected as an NOA Collegiate Opera Scenes Competition finalist from 2011-2021, with numerous first and second place commendations. The ensemble was awarded a 2012 Production Competition prize from the National Opera Association, and was honored with the American Prize in Collegiate Opera in both 2014 and 2015, respectively. SHSU Opera made its international debut in May 2018 with a performance of <i>Dido and Aeneas</i> at Kobe College in Nishinomiya, Japan under Dr. Renfro’s direction. </span><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Benjamin Brecher </b>has gained great acclaim with his many performances on the opera and concert stages. Mr. Brecher has performed over fifty operatic roles at some of the world’s most prestigious venues specializing in the high lying lyric tenor repertoire. He has performed fifteen roles with The New York City Opera alone. As a concert singer, his “Celtic Celebration” concerts have been performed with almost every major and regional symphony in the US. Recent engagements include performances at the Ravinia Festival with The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, North Carolina Symphony, Baltimore Symphony; <i>Don Giovanni, A Cunning Little Vixen, and Manon </i>with Opera Santa Barbara; <i>Lucia di Lammermoor</i> and <i>Lakmé </i>with California Opera; and a live recital broadcast on Radio France. Brecher began teaching at University of California Santa Barbara in 2008, where he has served as Producer and Music Director for the Opera Theatre, and currently serves as Chair and Professor.</span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3rd Place (tie):</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The Crane Opera Ensemble </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Anthony Eversole </b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Mahagonny Songspiel/The Medium (Weill/Menotti)</b></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Potsdam NY</b></span></div><div><p style="background-color: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 13px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZI6O9w_8ed2K-8zbvHKVtjwMVGih2UeHi_Wn2pmIu0aXC2j_vB9iWZJWA7qd3kFJ-slYF2HpO2VwjxOISFkmZwcYzpgN5a-alF9Fcs48x8tbiL_Y51B9RFPPifFKo5uTzEJbxJzvE2K7IbjIahtOWiDWHFDF7fPs2jYul9B7PZ8Wg2mjsgQMLiJlK9Jk/s1478/medium.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1478" data-original-width="1266" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZI6O9w_8ed2K-8zbvHKVtjwMVGih2UeHi_Wn2pmIu0aXC2j_vB9iWZJWA7qd3kFJ-slYF2HpO2VwjxOISFkmZwcYzpgN5a-alF9Fcs48x8tbiL_Y51B9RFPPifFKo5uTzEJbxJzvE2K7IbjIahtOWiDWHFDF7fPs2jYul9B7PZ8Wg2mjsgQMLiJlK9Jk/w548-h640/medium.png" width="548" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">The Crane Opera Ensemble</b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;">The award-winning Crane Opera Ensemble is a significant source for opera and music theatre in the North Country region of New York State. The ensemble provides exciting opportunities for students to experience all facets of opera performance and production through rehearsals, coachings, and classes related to performance practices and production techniques. Two fully-staged productions are produced each year (one with orchestra and one with a chamber instrumental group or piano). In addition, an Opera Scenes Workshop provides students the opportunity to study a partial role and perform it in an informal venue. The ensemble enjoys a collaborative relationship with the Department of Theatre & Dance, producing a musical theatre production every other year and collaborating with the department’s designers and creative faculty.</span><p></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3rd Place (tie):</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Schwob Opera Theatre</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Joshua May </b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Amahl and the Night Visitors </b></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Columbus GA</b></span></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b></b></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXe4F689SDwEYJ0_u0H4XGO7KsbQLJXP4TRlAVRRWkJ95JHqnL72eRkTJZc3U34Zj7v2_723wRdawYGEAcixLh1anu7cum7ahekPEumaQ-8sfIAc9t0PWfVp-TtlRdxY84UL_cc4HEBy6VwSm5eThquc9fzOCFQBxaHv2LwtiQlao0vHdbpewGoNm-DuSn/s1226/AmahlSchwobOperaTheatreImage1.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="1226" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXe4F689SDwEYJ0_u0H4XGO7KsbQLJXP4TRlAVRRWkJ95JHqnL72eRkTJZc3U34Zj7v2_723wRdawYGEAcixLh1anu7cum7ahekPEumaQ-8sfIAc9t0PWfVp-TtlRdxY84UL_cc4HEBy6VwSm5eThquc9fzOCFQBxaHv2LwtiQlao0vHdbpewGoNm-DuSn/w640-h406/AmahlSchwobOperaTheatreImage1.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Schwob Opera Theatre</b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Schwob Opera Theatre </b>is a nationally award winning ensemble at the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University. This ensemble performs opera scenes & full productions from the standard literature, a touring educational opera production, workshops of new operas, and musical theatre. Schwob Opera Theatre is under the direction of Dr. Joshua May. As part of our artistic training, undergraduate and graduate students work with faculty and guest artists on the development of their stagecraft through acting, dance/movement, stage combat, and stage makeup for the singing actor. Annual productions of opera, operetta, or musical theater provide a culminating experience for the young artists in our program. Recent productions from our opera seasons include <i>Speed Dating Tonight!</i> (Ching), <i>Cendrillon</i> by (Viardot), <i>La Finta giardiniera</i> (Mozart), <i>Dido and Aeneas </i>(Purcell), and <i>L’elisir d’amore</i> (Donizetti). For more information, please visit our vocal arts homepage <a href="https://music.columbusstate.edu/voice/"><span style="color: blue;">https://music.columbusstate.edu/voice/</span></a></span><p></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3rd Place (tie):</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Baylor University Opera </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Jen Stephenson</b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The Tender Land</b></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Waco TX</b></span></div></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4zxTlRCkm-PUGjDkOmTO3Y2c75AYl0IwrdekxbqS1BqMz9f8RooG2092wErviOAYUzleHw7jO3XaSHwkW5zudC8G3OmeqCvynfnEcU1m3zf1vvoRHDoI5mEMcHHAzHXkfw6DQsikJKFspI9_Pvi0SFbbDriZBtooFofrlB6Pt2394rRDQj7u3FFp9QAH/s1846/tl.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1168" data-original-width="1846" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4zxTlRCkm-PUGjDkOmTO3Y2c75AYl0IwrdekxbqS1BqMz9f8RooG2092wErviOAYUzleHw7jO3XaSHwkW5zudC8G3OmeqCvynfnEcU1m3zf1vvoRHDoI5mEMcHHAzHXkfw6DQsikJKFspI9_Pvi0SFbbDriZBtooFofrlB6Pt2394rRDQj7u3FFp9QAH/w640-h404/tl.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Baylor University Opera </b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jen Stephenson enjoys a multifaceted career as stage director, producer, soprano, educator, and arts administrator. She has worked with the Baylor Opera Theatre, Wichita Grand Opera, Chicago Summer Opera, Opera Seme, Lawrence Opera Theatre, Harrower Summer Opera, Druid City Opera, Opéra du Perigord, Utah Lyric Opera, New Century Opera, The University of Alabama Opera Theatre, and Tabor College Opera, which she founded in 2015. Recent directing credits include productions of <i>The Tender Land</i>, <i>Gianni Schicchi</i>, <i>Suor Angelica</i>, <i>La finta giardiniera</i>, <i>Amahl and the Night Visitors</i>, and <i>Hansel and Gretel</i>. Praised for her thoughtful characterization and impeccable comedic timing, she is currently chair of the awarding committee of the National Opera Association's JoElyn Wakefield Wright Stage Director Internship, of which she was the recipient of in 2015. For more information, please visit <a href="http://www.jenstephenson.com/">www.jenstephenson.com</a></span><p></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Finalist Honorable Mention:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>University of South Dakota Opera </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Tracelyn Gesteland </b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Alcina (Handel)</b></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Vermillion SD</b></span></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMdnSufbsJlH-gh0dsIXUpYplljL-Evr4zwAPi8yGKjJZg2lcR28tiLTah48pWOM747uo3jagolozWr_Xsmyzcv9PNkaW3IU0rggE301CZll-w-gZkl7A_1IXzNcISz_3Axv-XqvtV6jw1DTzLN88alqBuZErwhRn8joAQEAHO4FS8DS17bwxaE9q9InZ/s4456/USD%20Opera-%20Alcina.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2388" data-original-width="4456" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMdnSufbsJlH-gh0dsIXUpYplljL-Evr4zwAPi8yGKjJZg2lcR28tiLTah48pWOM747uo3jagolozWr_Xsmyzcv9PNkaW3IU0rggE301CZll-w-gZkl7A_1IXzNcISz_3Axv-XqvtV6jw1DTzLN88alqBuZErwhRn8joAQEAHO4FS8DS17bwxaE9q9InZ/w640-h342/USD%20Opera-%20Alcina.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">University of South Dakota Opera</b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;">The University of South Dakota Opera offers training and performance opportunities for students interested in the art of opera. Every semester, students have the opportunity to study and perform operatic literature from the common practice period as well as contemporary lyric theater. Annually, USD Opera presents a main stage opera with orchestra in addition to touring outreach productions and a gala. USD Opera has received national recognition every year since 2011, including two Second Place awards and an Honorable Mention from The American Prize in addition to honors from the National Opera Association. Singers from USD Opera have gone on to perform in numerous young artist programs, as part of prestigious graduate and doctoral programs, and with professional opera companies across the United States.</span><p></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Finalist Honorable Mention:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>University of Missouri-St Louis Opera</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Stella Markou </b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The Telephone </b></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>St Louis MO</b></span></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFWWPM1tacoVx3RGEWpMdmwYfxvOpGQw3KnpFIdxLfbP1VSIMb16erL3mvZ4MjGOWQf7fY4ZxZqTcZRUwXgyqvn_Q2z26qMdQ5nbn0oGzKRXeui5OeC7hoZ19bKosJ8u96ZIakptNhkW_Ez1JEnckNhUanvxWZdn-eYYb3XTkb8IU68UrDzt7KPD1KMNq/s2328/telephone.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1210" data-original-width="2328" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFWWPM1tacoVx3RGEWpMdmwYfxvOpGQw3KnpFIdxLfbP1VSIMb16erL3mvZ4MjGOWQf7fY4ZxZqTcZRUwXgyqvn_Q2z26qMdQ5nbn0oGzKRXeui5OeC7hoZ19bKosJ8u96ZIakptNhkW_Ez1JEnckNhUanvxWZdn-eYYb3XTkb8IU68UrDzt7KPD1KMNq/w640-h332/telephone.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">University of Missouri-St Louis Opera</b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sought after as a director, performer and educator, soprano Stella Markou has built a nationally-recognized opera program from the ground up. Receiving top prizes from the National Opera Association and The American Prize, Dr. Markou has produced and directed numerous productions ranging from the Baroque to the 21st-Century. <span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Dr. Markou has performed internationally at the Paros, Naxos, Siletz Bay, Xorto, and Edinburgh Fringe Festivals, and has been a featured soloist with the Nashville Ballet, Masterworks Chorale, Dance New Amsterdam, Ambassadors of Harmony, and Union Avenue Opera, among others. She is Associate Professor of Music and Coordinator of Vocal Studies at the University of Kansas, previously serving as the Director of Vocal Studies and Opera Theatre at UM-St. Louis. She received her degrees from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, the Cleveland Institute of Music, and The University of Arizona. Her work can be found on the SEAMUS and MSR record labels. <a href="http://www.stellamarkou.com/"><span style="color: #103cc0;">www.stellamarkou.com</span></a></span><p></p></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div><i>*** </i><br /><i><br /></i><i>Congratulations!</i><b><br /></b><br /><br /></div></div><p> </p></div></div>davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10142661857434106176noreply@blogger.com0Danbury, CT, USA41.394817 -73.454011113.084583163821158 -108.6102611 69.705050836178856 -38.2977611tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903769510370841145.post-88346410273765135132023-12-01T17:00:00.005-05:002024-02-16T14:35:08.792-05:00National winners: COMPOSERS (social justice related), 2023<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEI2i0eGemuu2eN5kxML3_sIrbtoCWCi3tzjtpaHUIf5oBHLVJ1LT-wPxK2H9QSCHJWummXKGHedPgM-WbvBFjyG0aArZmTTpTyhE9wEMaXuzNl8QbqnJvM0aujD8dx2ksXvFUeAqdrJ58M-Fb9a949UArSk0l-rT0DLyK8IlwPqQQl7A0n2morCn7Hw/s714/CMPlogo.png" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="694" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEI2i0eGemuu2eN5kxML3_sIrbtoCWCi3tzjtpaHUIf5oBHLVJ1LT-wPxK2H9QSCHJWummXKGHedPgM-WbvBFjyG0aArZmTTpTyhE9wEMaXuzNl8QbqnJvM0aujD8dx2ksXvFUeAqdrJ58M-Fb9a949UArSk0l-rT0DLyK8IlwPqQQl7A0n2morCn7Hw/w194-h200/CMPlogo.png" width="194" /></a><b><b style="font-family: inherit;">The American Prize</b><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal;">National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts, David (Volosin) Katz, founder and chief judge, is honored to announce the winners, runners-up and honorable mentions of </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(224, 102, 102); color: #e06666; font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal;"><b>The American Prize in Composition, </b></span><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"><span>2023, SOCIAL JUSTICE related</span></span><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"><span>. </span></span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal;">Congratulations! </span></b>Questions, or to make us aware of any misprints in the listings below, please email: <a href="mailto:theamericanprize@gmail.com" target="_blank">theamericanprize@gmail.com </a></p><p><b>The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts</b> is the nation's most comprehensive series of contests in the performing arts. The American Prize is unique in scope and structure, designed to recognize and reward the best performing artists, directors, ensembles and composers in the United States at professional, college/university, community and high school levels, based on submitted recordings. Now in its thirteenth year, <span>The American Prize was founded in 2010 and is awarded annually in many areas of the performing arts. Thousands of artists from all fifty states have derived benefit from their participation in the contests of The American Prize, </span>representing literally hundreds of communities and arts organizations across the nation.<span> </span><span> </span>(<a href="http://theamericanprize.org">http://theamericanprize.org</a>)</p><h2><span><span style="color: #e06666;">The American Prize in Composition—SOCIAL JUSTICE related, 2023 (professional division)</span></span></h2><div><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>The American Prize winner:</b></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Daniel Cavanagh</b></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Arlington TX </b></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><b>Even if the Last Bullet Hits My Chest </b> </i></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: #1e1d1e; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MeirJy-i6alfTzRI4uCs1BnUtoIDmqbULS9d31xsq_KRiq8UalKwjXDzlpQzh6gUZM3tjSZRgIJ8oyFc_xnTJutjlBoBvHhUnJ7xNeICSX8zfdKfmgX3FWgQkdkEWQBFObutg-lZoCwx0KaleChff0dUrIWUcuDqcGHtSpMSRoXcf5Wq7NNGQbTBVndj/s994/dan%20c.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="822" data-original-width="994" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MeirJy-i6alfTzRI4uCs1BnUtoIDmqbULS9d31xsq_KRiq8UalKwjXDzlpQzh6gUZM3tjSZRgIJ8oyFc_xnTJutjlBoBvHhUnJ7xNeICSX8zfdKfmgX3FWgQkdkEWQBFObutg-lZoCwx0KaleChff0dUrIWUcuDqcGHtSpMSRoXcf5Wq7NNGQbTBVndj/w640-h530/dan%20c.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Daniel Cavanagh</b></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dan Cavanagh is a composer and pianist who has garnered numerous awards in both areas. As a composer Cavanagh has been commissioned to write for Latin Grammy-winning AfroBop Alliance, the legendary Patti LaBelle, and a wide range of classical and jazz performers across North America and Europe. He has released five jazz recordings as a leader, including Pulse and Heart of the Geyser on Seattle’s OA2 Records, and two recordings with Minnesota-based vibraphonist Dave Hagedorn, Horizon and 20 Years. His most recent recording with James Miley and John Hollenbeck was released on Japan’s S/N Alliance Records in November 2022 to critical acclaim. His music can be heard on many other recordings both classical and jazz. His film scoring work can be heard in the documentary The Beat Hotel, a film exploring the hotel in Paris in the late 1950s and early 1960s where the beat poets, led by Allen Ginsberg, lived and created much of their famous work. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cavanagh continues to be commissioned and programmed around the world, with recent performances by the Dallas Wind Symphony, the UT Arlington Wind Symphony, bassoonist Laura Bennett Cameron, duality (Vanessa Sielert and Catherine Anderson), Tracy Cowden and Tabatha Easley, the John Brown Big Band, and many more. Cavanagh’s compositions for wind symphony and saxophone/piano are published by Murphy Music Press, and his works for jazz big band are published by UNC Jazz Press, Sierra Music Publications, and E-Jazz Lines. </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cavanagh is the Pamela O. Hamel/Board of Advisors Director of the Mead Witter School of Music and Professor of Composition and Jazz Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Prior to his time at UW-Madison he held numerous appointments at the University of Texas at Arlington, where he served for eighteen years. From 2015-2020, he served as the Co-Chair of Region VI for the Society of Composers, Inc., an international organization dedicated to new and contemporary music and composers. Cavanagh serves as the Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Dallas Winds, a five-time Grammy nominated professional Wind Symphony, and serves on the boards of the Madison Symphony Orchestra at the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; margin: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">2nd Place (tie):</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Composer: <span class="il">Madeline</span> <span class="il">Styskal</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Concept: Nicole Kenley-Miller</span></b></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Baytown TX </span></b></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Women Have Something to Say</span></i> </b></p><p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #292929;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGcRM5t4URLItuZ6Epg4ZH1L3hWVRA6R-shgGhNxRML1bUU55OwcsJIApIGQl_xOaLWmqf-00OWzYfJ-Tf7ayew_CCynPdJb0pQG5ye3_hfm2uCP3_nVQ-XhCGDW47Yt-27qh8l0glDAyRXEqQ_bfBXI3Jgg3ZYJ-aGQxECy68kXp4myW5NVenLwA25Hpd/s782/styskal.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="782" data-original-width="562" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGcRM5t4URLItuZ6Epg4ZH1L3hWVRA6R-shgGhNxRML1bUU55OwcsJIApIGQl_xOaLWmqf-00OWzYfJ-Tf7ayew_CCynPdJb0pQG5ye3_hfm2uCP3_nVQ-XhCGDW47Yt-27qh8l0glDAyRXEqQ_bfBXI3Jgg3ZYJ-aGQxECy68kXp4myW5NVenLwA25Hpd/w460-h640/styskal.png" width="460" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="il">Madeline</span> <span class="il">Styskal</span></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #292929;">Madeline Styskal is a Texas composer whose </span>works are grounded in storytelling. She finds inspiration for composition, stories, and research in Eastern-European musical nationalism, Soviet classical and popular musics, and Soviet history. In addition to her professional composition career, she is a student of Donald Grantham at the University of Texas.<p></p>
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<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i></i></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8XxxaY2NqqK6ovjT47SRITxajSEKQEBN8Ie_w2D61yhbLTYKtxYyOunTwOYGMEfepi6HPcLHSe7c9SNcp_QFHzVCvX4RaBgTDlLRHno2KKgg1pG3HqmnL8I_Uu6S1L4x8tbYWqZ4DPKPYx6zEUaE3KEfGQztzJuB095Lyipj3002YzKvw-N-XTj7ugZj/s1046/kenley-miller.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1046" data-original-width="712" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8XxxaY2NqqK6ovjT47SRITxajSEKQEBN8Ie_w2D61yhbLTYKtxYyOunTwOYGMEfepi6HPcLHSe7c9SNcp_QFHzVCvX4RaBgTDlLRHno2KKgg1pG3HqmnL8I_Uu6S1L4x8tbYWqZ4DPKPYx6zEUaE3KEfGQztzJuB095Lyipj3002YzKvw-N-XTj7ugZj/w436-h640/kenley-miller.png" width="436" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; text-align: left;">Nicole Kenley-Miller</b></td></tr></tbody></table><i>The Women Have Something to Say</i> tells the stories of women finding their voices through monologues and song texts written by the musicians themselves. Women musicians, especially singers, traditionally experience a kind of silencing inherent in our work, because we are always interpreting the words and music of someone else - that "someone else" usually being male.<p></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><b>2nd Place (tie):</b></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Scott Perkins</b></p><p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Roseville CA<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></b></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><i>Alive Poems: Stories of Our American Heritage</i></b></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2X0iud1erKYFdk3B9tiOlar-HZ7ATMikFPJqpbmTMxwhfy_Riq3-2-_xAcuag0E51m_t5XuRN2yh17FKjV3QrjWprwoWhUJBXwLUuQFkBlNdr2C8Uj_U5fPtpW24NTu-QMsrZhoGMTAVaoU1hxsYNqcCYnrs4X6A39bbY2dYeXiiiWmy0i7mSNnO55wY/s4000/Scott%20Perkins%20-%20Headshot.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2667" data-original-width="4000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2X0iud1erKYFdk3B9tiOlar-HZ7ATMikFPJqpbmTMxwhfy_Riq3-2-_xAcuag0E51m_t5XuRN2yh17FKjV3QrjWprwoWhUJBXwLUuQFkBlNdr2C8Uj_U5fPtpW24NTu-QMsrZhoGMTAVaoU1hxsYNqcCYnrs4X6A39bbY2dYeXiiiWmy0i7mSNnO55wY/w640-h426/Scott%20Perkins%20-%20Headshot.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Scott Perkins</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Connecticut native Scott Perkins enjoys a multifaceted career as an international prize-winning composer of vocal music, an award-winning scholar, and a dynamic, innovative educator. His “beautifully crafted” compositions (<i>American Record Guide</i>) have been called “dramatic” and “colorful” (<i>The Washington Post</i>), and “perfectly orchestrated” and “haunting” (<i>The Washington Times</i>). He has been commissioned by organizations ranging from the Washington National Opera to the American Guild of Organists, and his work has been performed throughout North America and Europe. He has released three discs on the Gothic and Navona labels, and he is published by E. C. Schirmer, Augsburg Fortress, and Paraclete Press. Scott is Associate Professor of Music at California State University, Sacramento, where he is Head of Music Theory and Composition. Scott holds a PhD (composition) and two MA degrees (music theory and theory pedagogy) from the Eastman School of Music. <a href="http://www.scott-perkins.com/"><span style="color: #0e24b2;">www.scott-perkins.com</span></a>.<p></p>
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<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>3rd Place (tie):</b></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Matthew Recio</b></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Chicago IL </b></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><i>The Puppy Episode</i><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></b></p><p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4gjmb304YUNresm-_cP-H7vKQl0XJysOsbB2nr3qA78-09z-GNey1NbMg4KJbx7GyCnHbf2rw7vvgYAE1g3aC7ocMLfQPZmL_QrTFYtxgxlKpXkhaSKKxmkDKRJTEjHOPw25kb9bxdiiV9035jtvDIgA05Z0Vc4Q-QzMhqTT3Gjr6KFj9UU95IuKjiD1/s2048/Matthew%20Recio_Headshot.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4gjmb304YUNresm-_cP-H7vKQl0XJysOsbB2nr3qA78-09z-GNey1NbMg4KJbx7GyCnHbf2rw7vvgYAE1g3aC7ocMLfQPZmL_QrTFYtxgxlKpXkhaSKKxmkDKRJTEjHOPw25kb9bxdiiV9035jtvDIgA05Z0Vc4Q-QzMhqTT3Gjr6KFj9UU95IuKjiD1/w426-h640/Matthew%20Recio_Headshot.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Matthew Recio</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Recio (G. Schirmer published artist) recently finished his post as the Vanguard emerging composer with Chicago Opera Theater, developing operas with Royce Vavrek and Stephanie Fleischmann. He looks forward to a new commission from Chicago Fringe Opera for the Decameron Opera Coalition as well as the LYNX project. This past year he was a returning resident artist at West Edge Opera, a feature on The American Prize winner Laura Stricking’s “40x40” project, and a commission for Queer In(n) dedicated to Chicago elder trans icon, Mama Gloria. He has worked with the Chicago Fringe Opera, Oberlin Conservatory, the Metropolitan Youth Chorus, Fourth Coast Ensemble’s SongSlam and wrote an immersive choral cantata “The Hollow” for Stare at the Sun. He was a winner of the IU Georgina Joshi Vocal Composition prize, the American Prize in choral writing and the first selected commissioned artist for the Cincinnati Song Initiative. Recio has worked with organizations such as BMP, New Voices Opera Company, Cincinnati Camerata, NOTUS and The Crossing. <a href="http://www.matthewrecio.com/"><span style="color: #20175c;">www.matthewrecio.com</span></a><p></p>
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<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>3rd Place (tie):</b></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Peter Xifaras</b></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Charlestown RI </b></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><i>Children of Conflict </i></b> </p><p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJiusGADr7FjuLPuD1CCFaAB9JBYO2Befr722QWZfnaJwade-gdOfph9O9xE_BDNDUFZOKivS3tg-4ZfDGzogVDoIWpHSZA2CH2v8ZMN1rfQubedcUM6XtU60FHs7woKZN75uGfK0U3AuuHSZJkFVyjfEbOG0DPw56XUy4b6_xbIg1cwSXR-sslJ52cMw8/s1500/PeterXifaras.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJiusGADr7FjuLPuD1CCFaAB9JBYO2Befr722QWZfnaJwade-gdOfph9O9xE_BDNDUFZOKivS3tg-4ZfDGzogVDoIWpHSZA2CH2v8ZMN1rfQubedcUM6XtU60FHs7woKZN75uGfK0U3AuuHSZJkFVyjfEbOG0DPw56XUy4b6_xbIg1cwSXR-sslJ52cMw8/w426-h640/PeterXifaras.png" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Peter Xifaras</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Peter Xifaras, the creative force behind the SymphoneX Orchestra®, is an award winning artist whose music has topped Billboard's Classical and Crossover charts. Whether it's Classical, Contemporary, Film-Score or Cinematic, Peter's compositions has garnered rave reviews for successfully crossing over music genres. Peter refers to his latest offering, Children Of Conflict, as a classical work comprised of six movements to bring attention to the plight of 'Children Of Conflict' around the globe. For more information you can visit Peter’s web site at: <a href="https://peterxifaras.com/"><span style="color: #20175c;">PeterXifaras.com</span></a> <p></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Finalist Honorable Mention:</b></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Jacob Dalager</b></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Las Cruces NM </b></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><i>3futures </i> </b></p><p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpv3tbP81oY8zTzyH3tIjjRfD_A-yXSBGacdRnk_AgWvu5-logp1fZfOi-mvWKX8KP28TwgjQSln4kh7jA7h5J9IWD4MlXiZ1SWFXm0gWA3YEeMJPTmKjVwT_Yzcorr20pfYbAz9Hptk5OBEgyAH0lbBRQDCL15nvVOa-0UYeQiggEE2K9F_kFtL7e3swp/s2200/Jacob%20Dalager.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1467" data-original-width="2200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpv3tbP81oY8zTzyH3tIjjRfD_A-yXSBGacdRnk_AgWvu5-logp1fZfOi-mvWKX8KP28TwgjQSln4kh7jA7h5J9IWD4MlXiZ1SWFXm0gWA3YEeMJPTmKjVwT_Yzcorr20pfYbAz9Hptk5OBEgyAH0lbBRQDCL15nvVOa-0UYeQiggEE2K9F_kFtL7e3swp/w640-h426/Jacob%20Dalager.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Jacob Dalager</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Dr. Jacob Dalager is an award-winning composer, international soloist, recording artist, and Professor of Trumpet and Jazz at New Mexico State University. His works have been commissioned and performed by the Austin Symphony Orchestra, St. Olaf Band, Lirica Chamber Orchestra, Parkway Brass, and Violetta Duo, among many others. Dalager’s style is accessible yet innovative; it’s rhythmically-driven with ear-catching melodies and jazz-inflected harmony. Recent accomplishments include winning second prize in the Robert Avalon International Competition for Composers for his brass quintet, <i>Suite Analogique</i>; and <i>3ɟutures for trumpet and orchestra</i> winning second prize at the Music International Grand Prix. Dalager’s newest concerto for trumpet and wind ensemble, <i>Organ Mountain Fantasia, </i>was premiered this April by the NMSU Wind Symphony. His latest projects include five new jazz big band arrangements based on the music of Raffy Bushman and a new original mixed chamber symphony.<p></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Finalist Honorable Mention:</b></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Heather Gilligan</b></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Keene NH </b></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><b>Southern Dissonance: Portraits of a New South </b> </i></p><p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwd6xC0uakLZQTkv5UtsFjv9TonEOoOnOmqyBjnyUjy1uu-79sbyDuFr5O6RjtbRimo6bv7Kh1Pd0xkti6ZRSUu-2cbUc91CVL2YDp7c95CABTO042eGHut92DkOYLTjEx9keHOb9QkLdcW0nCjHWVjDkFAX4ATMljmkBr1hQqrJC5LwsdwSZJHk0GrXi/s2048/Gilligan%20-%20photo.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1367" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwd6xC0uakLZQTkv5UtsFjv9TonEOoOnOmqyBjnyUjy1uu-79sbyDuFr5O6RjtbRimo6bv7Kh1Pd0xkti6ZRSUu-2cbUc91CVL2YDp7c95CABTO042eGHut92DkOYLTjEx9keHOb9QkLdcW0nCjHWVjDkFAX4ATMljmkBr1hQqrJC5LwsdwSZJHk0GrXi/w428-h640/Gilligan%20-%20photo.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Heather Gilligan</b></td></tr></tbody></table>American composer Heather Gilligan writes music that is honest, compassionate, and relevant. Her album of vocal chamber music “capably demonstrates that the art song is not only alive and well but thriving in the early decades of the 21st century” (Jonathan Blumhofer, The Arts Fuse). Her newest vocal work, Southern Dissonance: Portraits of a New South, focuses on themes of civil rights and was toured by the Kinnara Ensemble in Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia in 2022. Her woodwind quintet, Six of One, was performed at the 2022 Women’s Festival of Hartford. Her song cycle, Living in Light, won the Los Angeles-based Kaleidoscope Orchestra’s 2019 Call for Scores, a contest that accepted 2,200 entries across 90 countries. Her song "I'm a Girl. What's your superpower?" won second place in the 2019 NYC SongSLAM Festival and she won the Boston-based Juventas New Music Ensemble's Call for Scores in 2018 and 2019. <a href="http://www.heathergilligan.com/"><span style="color: #0e24b2;">www.heathergilligan.com</span></a><span style="color: #262626;"> </span><p></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Finalist Honorable Mention:</b></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Wiliam Hawkins</b></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Madison WI </b></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><i>Looking Up</i></b></p><p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRj0t-hQUyT22qKKUq7NVMhWSQRIOSHdM3as23k7gKizoDrpZ-PvIa5bgfJm9ZixqRfvSKaXYiFQcs2yZ7nLvEqYoNbf1E3X5EKzyovx8MgRbjrNGlXmrAH_IBW3psak8Dx9r9dsqzzNWVpZuISq-kDnDIEz_ams4EUMNjlNY6-VAey2Al7VzdnTzTVdhr/s1478/William%20Hawkins%20Headshot.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1478" data-original-width="1316" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRj0t-hQUyT22qKKUq7NVMhWSQRIOSHdM3as23k7gKizoDrpZ-PvIa5bgfJm9ZixqRfvSKaXYiFQcs2yZ7nLvEqYoNbf1E3X5EKzyovx8MgRbjrNGlXmrAH_IBW3psak8Dx9r9dsqzzNWVpZuISq-kDnDIEz_ams4EUMNjlNY6-VAey2Al7VzdnTzTVdhr/w570-h640/William%20Hawkins%20Headshot.jpeg" width="570" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Wiliam Hawkins</b></td></tr></tbody></table>William Hawkins (b. 1997) is a composer, violist, dancer, and visual artist with a BA in Music from Brown University. Currently, he is exploring the human relationship with nature and outer space, considering offshoots such as nihilism, climate-change, and god. His music seeks to create catharsis and introspection in the listener through combining the time-honored counterpoint between harmony and line with innovative structure and texture. Hawkins has had works performed by chamber groups including the American Modern Ensemble, Mivos Quartet, the Momenta Quartet, the Neave Trio, the Walden School Players, and violinist Nigel Armstrong. His work has also been presented at the Mostly Modern Festival, Atlantic Music Festival. At Brown University, Hawkins studied composition with Eric Nathan and Wang Lu; in the past he has worked with Rodney Lister, Shawn Jaeger, and, through masterclasses, John Harbison and Michael Daugherty.<p></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Finalist Honorable Mention:</b></p><p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Chris Prather </b></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Edmond OK </b></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><i>No Justice, No Peace</i></b></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghrvVTYuQV_9NnUmGOpNDtJS2SNsHs-nkmzNDCrwOYfHR6LALAPRw8IwefNizv8aG8jbXtei-mdnRbr-rjZZmN6wwPeOl-EnIGgubyahgKX2JEr7ION84nodwTivKxO9Y6DxmaZJo9Flb-P9SK9FefLYus9IwIBl2VJplVNWMDFHd5ur_OZq7lkjyFrrcP/s1856/prather.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1856" data-original-width="1138" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghrvVTYuQV_9NnUmGOpNDtJS2SNsHs-nkmzNDCrwOYfHR6LALAPRw8IwefNizv8aG8jbXtei-mdnRbr-rjZZmN6wwPeOl-EnIGgubyahgKX2JEr7ION84nodwTivKxO9Y6DxmaZJo9Flb-P9SK9FefLYus9IwIBl2VJplVNWMDFHd5ur_OZq7lkjyFrrcP/w392-h640/prather.png" width="392" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Chris Prather</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Oklahoma based composer and percussionist Chris Prather (b. 1995) graduated with his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Central Oklahoma and his Master of Music degree from Oklahoma City University. Recently, he had his percussion ensemble piece <i>Emerging Victoriously (2020) </i>selected as runner-up in the 2020 OU Percussion Press Composition Competition as well as his marimba solo <i>Embracing Uncertainty (2019) </i>selected as the winner of the 2020 Great Plains International Marimba Composition Competition. In June of 2022, he worked alongside Opera on Tap-OKC to present the world premiere of his new one act opera <i>No Justice, No Peace</i>, written alongside librettists Megan Prather and Kenneth R. Woods. This timely work engages with the effects of police brutality in America through the lense of a fictional black family and seeks to sensitively widen the scope to encompass more than the tragic event itself.<p></p>
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<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Finalist Honorable Mention:</b></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Randall Standridge</b></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Jonesboro AR </b></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><i>Stonewall: 1969; unBroken</i></b></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRjT0kVzPeAQvqXCXz288oqNoR-6r8TmPNjoCUYG-QDqTTLYdgeEnaCzxzRuwaUeOjZJwAXUk0nbVOhuxDN1wsSUJIC84l3x_g0reiPigyeJ0_r2lZ_hz3PK91_UY1IfB7CqvgkSXLMsG5evY8CKiCz9NMIhaNkxOcP0bl8BFmjXdLUS25T-jo708OawAt/s1948/standridge.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1948" data-original-width="1692" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRjT0kVzPeAQvqXCXz288oqNoR-6r8TmPNjoCUYG-QDqTTLYdgeEnaCzxzRuwaUeOjZJwAXUk0nbVOhuxDN1wsSUJIC84l3x_g0reiPigyeJ0_r2lZ_hz3PK91_UY1IfB7CqvgkSXLMsG5evY8CKiCz9NMIhaNkxOcP0bl8BFmjXdLUS25T-jo708OawAt/w556-h640/standridge.png" width="556" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Randall Standridge</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Randall Standridge (b.1976) received his Bachelor's of Music Education from Arkansas State University. During this time, he studied composition with Dr. Tom O'Connor before returning to Arkansas State University to earn his Master's in Music Composition, studying with Dr. Tom O'Connor and Dr. Tim Crist. He has had numerous works performed at the prestigious Midwest Clinic in Chicago, Illinois. His work is performed internationally, and his work Stonewall: 1969 was premiered at the National LGBA conference in 2019. In addition to his career as a composer, Mr. Standridge is the owner and editor of Randall Standridge Music Publishing. He lives in Jonesboro, Arkansas with his husband, Steven.<p></p>
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<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Finalist Honorable Mention:</b></p><p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Clint A. Williams </b></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Norman OK </b></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><b>Greenwood, Archer & Pine</b> </i></p>
<p style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHduTbZkyHxXJiUsAI8uAC_IHLXdYMw4lBotb4AB_OeSve3BrHL_RdX2IlXQUzZ0GpXvNeEfIzuGBvIsNwHs1eaRBBcxMHpH-trzRnGi0xYyW8kiqBA7VsGo71wb4U5S4GTVKVbXHH0NrvLnvqpKIZtHFTZG1t6J789p6iYsI5OYjF-R2FAVqEfxa3d9A/s375/clint-williams.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="300" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHduTbZkyHxXJiUsAI8uAC_IHLXdYMw4lBotb4AB_OeSve3BrHL_RdX2IlXQUzZ0GpXvNeEfIzuGBvIsNwHs1eaRBBcxMHpH-trzRnGi0xYyW8kiqBA7VsGo71wb4U5S4GTVKVbXHH0NrvLnvqpKIZtHFTZG1t6J789p6iYsI5OYjF-R2FAVqEfxa3d9A/w512-h640/clint-williams.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Clint A. Williams</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Clint Williams is an award-winning Resident Composer with the Oklahoma Chamber Symphony, performer of voice (Bass) & Tuba, and adjunct Professor of Music Composition at Oklahoma City University. Clint has also worked professionally with the Enid Symphony, Duo Rhodinia, the Oklahoma Youth Orchestra, El Sistema OKC, the Oklahoma Composers Association, Windsong Chamber Chorus, Lawton Pro Musica and Southwest Oklahoma Opera Guild.Mr. Williams has an extensive background in chamber music, primarily specializing in contemporary works of all styles. Mr. Williams currently has three published works all with Imagine Music Company. Clint earned his Bachelors of Music Composition degree from Cameron University in Lawton, Oklahoma and earned his Masters of Music Composition degree from Oklahoma City University.<p></p></span></span></div><div><span><span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span></span></div><div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #e06666;">The American Prize in Composition—SOCIAL JUSTICE related, 2023 (college/university division)</span></h2><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The American Prize winner:</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Emily Clements</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Oxford MS </b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Letters to Lily</i></b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPfHrihSBLMOYdlgh6j4i4M7fDaov7fBp91NLxSgB-Kl08YvD2-DVndg_E4WCnBQ0NAerAWti3JI-iZ66_vYMJMLxetroBnAm4o4fvTq1787RYJKwJSqSxV13ra4gZ74do-lVT-BvYbzkCRehdduLotJywFGxH8XoPiKdmWL-3KvpwfCpnxjktivmbib6/s2808/clements.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2808" data-original-width="2767" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPfHrihSBLMOYdlgh6j4i4M7fDaov7fBp91NLxSgB-Kl08YvD2-DVndg_E4WCnBQ0NAerAWti3JI-iZ66_vYMJMLxetroBnAm4o4fvTq1787RYJKwJSqSxV13ra4gZ74do-lVT-BvYbzkCRehdduLotJywFGxH8XoPiKdmWL-3KvpwfCpnxjktivmbib6/w630-h640/clements.jpg" width="630" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Emily Clements</b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9;">Soprano and composer Emily Clements is a recent graduate of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where studied voice with Dr. Linda Lister, and composition with The American Prize winner Dr. Jennifer Bellor. </span>Clements was inspired to compose Letters to Lily after participation in young artist programs and singing in new works at UNLV. She originated the role of Felicity in Linda Lister’s world premiere opera State of Grace (2018) and sang in the workshop premiere of Cynthia Wong’s No Guarantees (2018). Opera Las Vegas included Letters to Lily in its 2022 Women Composers Festival to great acclaim and sold-out audiences at the LGBTQ Center in Las Vegas. Ms. Clements is currently a Master of Music candidate at the University of Mississippi where she will perform Morgana in Handel’s Alcina this Spring. She has performed with the Harrower Opera Program, Vegas City Opera, and Music Theatre Bavaria. </span><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></b></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></b></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><b style="font-family: inherit;">2nd Place:</b></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Andres Luz</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Chino Hills CA </b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Bulosan: On American Democracy</i></b> <span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS03U1o_pLCWDZ0-YuaUprqu8IrATAqnxE1SkVh8HkP3wVaJvx4oL2C2GimaoRf1kyCCES-G-CJDnAJgomTJhpmmVqg1QvBWq6OFhG5aLJxKD-gMrknQJkJaX10DoNrVXfKWNfUBgVBtnFJ4Yc3xEnWdd6qt2hXfPmDGlIYHdrK4lggoGzYzIEuDxdpM1I/s510/ARL%20-%20Headshot.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="505" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS03U1o_pLCWDZ0-YuaUprqu8IrATAqnxE1SkVh8HkP3wVaJvx4oL2C2GimaoRf1kyCCES-G-CJDnAJgomTJhpmmVqg1QvBWq6OFhG5aLJxKD-gMrknQJkJaX10DoNrVXfKWNfUBgVBtnFJ4Yc3xEnWdd6qt2hXfPmDGlIYHdrK4lggoGzYzIEuDxdpM1I/w634-h640/ARL%20-%20Headshot.JPG" width="634" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Andres Luz</b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;">Harnessing the energetic sounds of contemporary postmodernism, Andres R. Luz develops his artistic idiom from the legacy of music history, stretching back to Renaissance stylistic practice, up to those of the present-day.<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9;"> </span>Andres Luz studied with Jeffrey Miller at California State University, East Bay (B.A. Music, magna cum laude, 2013) and took private lessons in electroacoustic music with Ian Dicke. Andres Luz completed the Master of Music Composition at the University of Redlands in 2016, studying with Anthony Suter.<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9;"> </span>Recently, Andres Luz completed the Doctorate in Musical Arts in Composition at the University of Georgia, studying with Adrian Childs, Peter Van Zandt Lane, and Emily Koh. Andres Luz served as Visiting Assistant Professor of Theory and Electronic Music at the University of Redlands. Dr. Luz is a member of ASCAP, SEAMUS, Millennium Composers Initiative, and Society of Composers, Inc., and is published by Murphy Music Press and Post-Classical Music.<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9;"> <a href="https://andresrluz.weebly.com/"><span style="color: #0e24b2;">https://andresrluz.weebly.com/</span></a></span></span><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3rd Place (tie):</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Evan Blache</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Pflugerville TX<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></b></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Voices of Power </b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSGETCUmFZ53_XX1MQjAijhbg7oP2-DBhaS8wRwQyme9plN1YOyl7uSYYJ0AMvuLpCKp7YQMshduBggnu34Rl68yJcIVOMtYlNG5-rGIBTRH1j0lELONS4ol5F_I1GKXfeiRuKeR_2ICByYQNtBlhFkHA-CfMo7MaclbM0g4UmbHOsKwhy-6SP_EGBvfcY/s588/blache.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="586" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSGETCUmFZ53_XX1MQjAijhbg7oP2-DBhaS8wRwQyme9plN1YOyl7uSYYJ0AMvuLpCKp7YQMshduBggnu34Rl68yJcIVOMtYlNG5-rGIBTRH1j0lELONS4ol5F_I1GKXfeiRuKeR_2ICByYQNtBlhFkHA-CfMo7MaclbM0g4UmbHOsKwhy-6SP_EGBvfcY/w638-h640/blache.png" width="638" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Evan Blache</b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;">Evan Blaché is a non-binary choral composer and choral singer based out of San Marcos, Texas. Never known to mince words, Evan has composed a lot of work combining the classical style with topics of social justice. Evan studied music at Austin Community College. While there, they were a part of the Austin Community College Chamber choir and was a part of the Texas Two Year All-State Choir for three years as the bass two section leader. Their most recent accomplishment includes being invited to Orange County, California for a one week residency with the choral ensemble, The Choral Arts Initiative and San Antonio, Texas with the chamber ensemble, Unheard of Ensemble. They are currently in the undergraduate program at Texas State University for their B.M in Music Studies and Composition while singing in the Texas State University Chorale under the direction of Joey Martin and studying composition with Dr. Jack Wilds. While at Texas State, Evan has been commissioned by various groups, including Conspirare, led by Craig Hella Johnson and Vocem Cordis, led by Texas State Graduates, Nathan Thompson & Christian Clow. Evan currently sings in the groups, Tinsel Singers, Inversion Ensemble, and is an Insight Fellow in Conspirare.</span><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3rd Place (tie):</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Elillian Daugherty</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Bellbrook OH </b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>I Wake in the Morning to Sing with the Lark</i></b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdE7yG4SHkW2SOOhvYK3CVJpvNepwljE6K_VISpI-7Gp9mBdWxrAflAQZi3rk0O2J35vtY9rrpODtQS3EbAmV_fdxKpyvyD0b45NsJDm-KNSN-99cL4NFElL-K38rfkM747oRsMVBhfgpgouwjYy2wjO9ox7ylMmYrluesUFKHbZ_f3ujLImhQyE5K4eD-/s1518/EJDaugherty.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1331" data-original-width="1518" height="562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdE7yG4SHkW2SOOhvYK3CVJpvNepwljE6K_VISpI-7Gp9mBdWxrAflAQZi3rk0O2J35vtY9rrpODtQS3EbAmV_fdxKpyvyD0b45NsJDm-KNSN-99cL4NFElL-K38rfkM747oRsMVBhfgpgouwjYy2wjO9ox7ylMmYrluesUFKHbZ_f3ujLImhQyE5K4eD-/w640-h562/EJDaugherty.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Elillian Daugherty</b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;">Elillian Daugherty’s music, described as “colorful and charming”, has many inspirations, including jazz, spirituals, and, occasionally, atonality. Her works have been performed by the Wright State University Chamber Orchestra, and by chamber groups at two annual “She Scores” concert series in Cleveland, Ohio. Awards for her compositions include First Prize in the Ohio Federation of Music Clubs’ 2022 competition, First Place in the 2022 “Silver Melted Into Sound” competition at Wright State University, and placement as an American Prize Finalist for the past three years. She recently completed a commission for a work for reed quintet. A retired physician, she is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Oboe Performance at Wright State University School of Music in Dayton, Ohio, where she has received the Spinney scholarship for student composers for the past two years. She studies Composition with Steven Aldredge and Oboe/English Horn with Katherine deGruchy.</span><p></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #1d1e1f; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span></p><div><span style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div><div><p style="background-color: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">***</span></p></div><p><i style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: inherit;">Congratulations!</i> </p>davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10142661857434106176noreply@blogger.com0Danbury, CT, USA41.394817 -73.454011113.084583163821158 -108.6102611 69.705050836178856 -38.2977611tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903769510370841145.post-74233032534524788972023-11-30T17:00:00.002-05:002023-11-30T17:00:00.124-05:00National winners: COMPOSERS (COVID related), 2023<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEI2i0eGemuu2eN5kxML3_sIrbtoCWCi3tzjtpaHUIf5oBHLVJ1LT-wPxK2H9QSCHJWummXKGHedPgM-WbvBFjyG0aArZmTTpTyhE9wEMaXuzNl8QbqnJvM0aujD8dx2ksXvFUeAqdrJ58M-Fb9a949UArSk0l-rT0DLyK8IlwPqQQl7A0n2morCn7Hw/s714/CMPlogo.png" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="694" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEI2i0eGemuu2eN5kxML3_sIrbtoCWCi3tzjtpaHUIf5oBHLVJ1LT-wPxK2H9QSCHJWummXKGHedPgM-WbvBFjyG0aArZmTTpTyhE9wEMaXuzNl8QbqnJvM0aujD8dx2ksXvFUeAqdrJ58M-Fb9a949UArSk0l-rT0DLyK8IlwPqQQl7A0n2morCn7Hw/w194-h200/CMPlogo.png" width="194" /></a><b><b style="font-family: inherit;">The American Prize</b><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal;">National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts, David Volosin Katz, founder and chief judge, is honored to announce the winners, runners-up and honorable mentions of </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(224, 102, 102); color: #e06666; font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal;"><b>The American Prize in Composition, </b></span><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"><span>2023, works COVID related</span></span><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"><span>. </span></span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal;">Congratulations! </span></b><b style="caret-color: rgb(224, 102, 102); color: #e06666; font-family: inherit;"><i style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-weight: normal;"></i></b>Questions, or to make us aware of any misprints in the listings below, please email: <a href="mailto:theamericanprize@gmail.com" target="_blank">theamericanprize@gmail.com </a></p><p><b>The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts</b> is the nation's most comprehensive series of contests in the performing arts. The American Prize is unique in scope and structure, designed to recognize and reward the best performing artists, directors, ensembles and composers in the United States at professional, college/university, community and high school levels, based on submitted recordings. Now in its thirteenth year, <span>The American Prize was founded in 2010 and is awarded annually in many areas of the performing arts. Thousands of artists from all fifty states have derived benefit from their participation in the contests of The American Prize, </span>representing literally hundreds of communities and arts organizations across the nation.<span> </span><span> </span>(<a href="http://theamericanprize.org">http://theamericanprize.org</a>)</p><h2><span><span style="color: #e06666;">The American Prize in Composition—works COVID related, 2023 (professional division)</span></span></h2><div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">The American Prize winner:<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Joao Pedro Oliveira <br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Santa Barbara CA <br /></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>The 70th Week </i> </b><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQ-A2BJnePR4QWOW1P3QSHKU6-010IgLbsYe59BUl22lFeCfk5vUr0UTOM3yo5kw37ZSWyZ8uen838CFLgAV6soAaBLB8ZhVhT_PGwKpExctN8DyC5wjfQbFtTo4T1_saMMoMunsdnk-AY5md3JhLAGuBZnvxoI584uwmhNRF2Mv8hWsNpF5G3iMajPAt/s1712/joao.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1712" data-original-width="1234" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQ-A2BJnePR4QWOW1P3QSHKU6-010IgLbsYe59BUl22lFeCfk5vUr0UTOM3yo5kw37ZSWyZ8uen838CFLgAV6soAaBLB8ZhVhT_PGwKpExctN8DyC5wjfQbFtTo4T1_saMMoMunsdnk-AY5md3JhLAGuBZnvxoI584uwmhNRF2Mv8hWsNpF5G3iMajPAt/w462-h640/joao.png" width="462" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Joao Pedro Oliveira</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Composer João Pedro Oliveira holds the Corwin Endowed Chair in Composition for the University of California at Santa Barbara. He studied organ performance, composition and architecture in Lisbon. He completed a PhD in Music at the University of New York at Stony Brook. His music includes opera, orchestral compositions, chamber music, electroacoustic music and experimental video. He has received over 70 international prizes and awards for his works, including three Prizes at Bourges Electroacoustic Music Competition, the prestigious Magisterium Prize and Giga-Hertz Special Award, 1st Prize in Metamorphoses competition, 1st Prize in Yamaha-Visiones Sonoras Competition, 1st Prize in Musica Nova competition. He taught at Aveiro University (Portugal) and Federal University of Minas Gerais (Brazil). His publications include several articles in journals and a book on 20th century music theory. <a href="http://www.jpoliveira.com/">www.jpoliveira.com</a><span style="color: #262626;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">2nd Place:<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Luke Flynn <br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Asbury IA <br /></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Unease</i> </b></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqs9f9AGgl7RoDJYjFCln7pmlP35t9nO-Vb4wrMeoEwRoD685yEergXuyRtEUJpaBeJ_e9TzB1X3z2EuP7TPxGpJfFqNr7O7VIPT4wyu_J1ynua9ebBHO-czpy8Tr64RxGC7XmWIgauOXHpB-hc6BnRFXJTRoAk590b6Ge7O2ArNE-r4cH2E14mzDD3WOT/s3936/Luke%20Flynn%20Headshot%202022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3936" data-original-width="2624" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqs9f9AGgl7RoDJYjFCln7pmlP35t9nO-Vb4wrMeoEwRoD685yEergXuyRtEUJpaBeJ_e9TzB1X3z2EuP7TPxGpJfFqNr7O7VIPT4wyu_J1ynua9ebBHO-czpy8Tr64RxGC7XmWIgauOXHpB-hc6BnRFXJTRoAk590b6Ge7O2ArNE-r4cH2E14mzDD3WOT/w426-h640/Luke%20Flynn%20Headshot%202022.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Luke Flynn</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Luke Flynn </b>(b. 1988) is a composer, arranger, and conductor with a highly active career in film, television, and the concert hall. In the media music industry, Flynn has composed and orchestrated the scores for a variety of films and television shows, and his Hollywood music department credits include over 100 of the biggest movies and television series of his lifetime, including <i>Avatar 2: The Way of Water, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Frozen II</i>, and many others. As a concert composer, his works are performed regularly throughout the world, including commissions and performances by major symphony orchestras, choirs, and ensembles in over 20 different countries as well as throughout the U.S. He is also an active guest lecturer and conductor, visiting professional ensembles, universities, and high schools around the globe. Flynn is a graduate of Butler University, Clarke University, and The International University of Kagoshima in Japan. His primary composition mentors include Michael Schelle, Amy Dunker, and Tadashi Kubo. He resides in Iowa with his wife and daughter, where he conducts all of his work from his studio.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">3rd Place:<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Deon Nielsen Price <br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Arroyo Grande CA <br /></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Chamber Symphony</i></b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtDY72H0Xc_9_6KUAZxWu_C60Vpy9CagX7wfdh9fGTcvn4QlPR5en92cIzpIi7e8lVEjXv0MhcieidtTQifmMqvp-wMfNEVYAIWvUngRsSa-ldzD_YB_VAZ0GHBdw1w5ERRgPD-mJ9oJAhZ5y9FXTu5aEGbgtZ9hG_N0BucFKN1as8ayb1FzmqamiRuSP/s461/Deon%20Nielsen%20Price.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="461" data-original-width="248" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtDY72H0Xc_9_6KUAZxWu_C60Vpy9CagX7wfdh9fGTcvn4QlPR5en92cIzpIi7e8lVEjXv0MhcieidtTQifmMqvp-wMfNEVYAIWvUngRsSa-ldzD_YB_VAZ0GHBdw1w5ERRgPD-mJ9oJAhZ5y9FXTu5aEGbgtZ9hG_N0BucFKN1as8ayb1FzmqamiRuSP/w344-h640/Deon%20Nielsen%20Price.jpg" width="344" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Deon Nielsen Price</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Deon Nielsen Price</b> (BA Brigham Young University; MM University of Michigan; DMA </span>University of Southern California) is a commissioned and published composer and author, award-winning pianist, recording artist, conductor, church musician, veteran educator, and advocate for women in music and for living composers as a former president of The National Association of Composers, USA and The International Alliance for Women in Music. Her Cambria CD recordings, sheet music for her 280 compositions, reviews, videos, chamber operas, interviews, and her book, <i>Accompanying Skills for Pianists</i> 2nd Ed., are available at <a href="http://www.culvercrest.com/"><span style="color: #0b4cb4;">www.culvercrest.com</span></a><span style="color: #0b4cb4; text-decoration: underline;">.</span> As Board member and Resident Composer of the Interfaith Center at the Presidio, she curates the ICP Sunday Concerts beginning its 6th year in Fall 2022, both in-person and live streamed. After a 45-year residence in Culver City, California, Deon relocated to the Presidio of San Francisco for three years. Now she resides on the Central California Coast. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Finalist Honorable Mention:<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Aaron Alter <br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Carlsbad CA <br /></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Lament, Prayer and Renewal</i></b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoedGnxiSBPr6_LEwt1kywi1yCmSembJWy2oD1nfFHRYUlxTuv1cHAUKlysRN1DYEWwrJIzdDsTHZl56Db6tTYJvYLQYj41CF7EjDmjxKF4inJp8SkcJrR7QTRcMRkQWjU8mz_Zq70LuiLppIdDt1xfYFRdoPYfYR0xB7Dbv7qK8iFOs-GlAstbmoTErOv/s3264/Aaron%20Alter%20Photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoedGnxiSBPr6_LEwt1kywi1yCmSembJWy2oD1nfFHRYUlxTuv1cHAUKlysRN1DYEWwrJIzdDsTHZl56Db6tTYJvYLQYj41CF7EjDmjxKF4inJp8SkcJrR7QTRcMRkQWjU8mz_Zq70LuiLppIdDt1xfYFRdoPYfYR0xB7Dbv7qK8iFOs-GlAstbmoTErOv/w640-h480/Aaron%20Alter%20Photo.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Aaron Alter </b></td></tr></tbody></table>Chicago-born composer Aaron Alter received his Bachelor of Music degree from Northwestern University, where he studied piano with Frances Larimer and Gui Mombaerts, and composition with Lynden DeYoung and David Noon. He received his Master of Fine Arts Degree from Princeton University, where he studied with Milton Babbitt and Jim Randall.<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Aaron’s new music, first performed in 2015, which Aaron calls his “New Beginning,” is an exploration of a new style and energy that defies categorization. Aaron’s music has been performed throughout the world and has won awards from the Global Music Awards and The American Prize.<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Aaron is a regular contributor of compositions to the repertoire of the flutist Iwona Glinka, the pianist and Steinway artist, Susan Merdinger, the Cracow Duo, the ÉxQuartet, the pianist Vania Pimentel, The New Mexico Performing Arts Society and Composers Concordance in New York. For more information about Aaron’s music, please visit <a href="https://aaronalter.com/"><span style="color: #103cc0;">https://aaronalter.com</span></a> .</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Finalist Honorable Mention:<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bruce Babcock <br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pasadena CA <br /></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>Time and Again</b> </i></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvy3QgY2aU9MOVdmonM9wkEDnhxxUmVLTM75zg8aAG1ua0IRBNtHHwSG06NtS2hbsQIltuZRygkjskiawV6e79RCfEhhdfnDAzob3G3k5uXZiw2KNP0SK038oE30PfKGuvYrd_B9U7MzuREuhVx5f6SRLWm2mrZ5WZeuPRlqxPeH6GOe-KrgKyRB3RL-a/s1200/Bruce%20Babcock%20photo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvy3QgY2aU9MOVdmonM9wkEDnhxxUmVLTM75zg8aAG1ua0IRBNtHHwSG06NtS2hbsQIltuZRygkjskiawV6e79RCfEhhdfnDAzob3G3k5uXZiw2KNP0SK038oE30PfKGuvYrd_B9U7MzuREuhVx5f6SRLWm2mrZ5WZeuPRlqxPeH6GOe-KrgKyRB3RL-a/w512-h640/Bruce%20Babcock%20photo.jpeg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Bruce Babcock</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Bruce Babcock is an Emmy-winning composer who has been successful in both film and television, and the concert hall. He holds B.A. and M.A. degrees in music composition from California State University, Northridge. His mentors in Hollywood included Hugo Friedhofer, Paul Glass, and Earle Hagen. Bruce's music has been performed at Carnegie Hall and Boston Metro Opera, and recorded by The Crossing, the Debussy Trio, Juliana Gondek, Doug Masek, and the Altius and Sirius string quartets, and performed by Hila Plitmann, the Antioch Ensemble, the Donald Brinegar Singers, the Haga Motettkör of Göteborg, Sweden, the Space Coast Symphony, and at the Santa Barbara Chamber Music Festival and the Beverly Hills International Music Festival, as well as inside the dome of the 100-inch telescope at Mount Wilson Observatory. His music is included on ten different albums on the Navona Recordings label. <a href="http://www.musicbybrucebabcock.com/"><span style="color: #103cc0;">http://www.musicbybrucebabcock.com/</span></a></span></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-kerning: none;">
</span></p><p style="color: #262626; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="color: #1d1e1f; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;"></span></span></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="color: #e06666;">The American Prize in Composition—works COVID related, 2023 (college/university division)</span></span></h2><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The American Prize winner:</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Kevin Xing Ru Li</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Cincinnati OH</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>The Ghost That Haunts Us</i></b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXH4Lm0rpBAaDw47QjbU1ApwQ2c2RH6Gz_KC-SRl4vRh76mdHu4DSwrBXVJAmBsRNu2zN49dZtPDZ9s_mCtZePITO5lPuEOTuIdDi1d7z0G7dIMCvGvQezpSqGR6hpbz1G_Etbhsp2ve8tVF9xmqGWWOyLjjhjs7cYdzpE_1CUsRHJyQKZTm0N7RlnlR8/s2929/Composer-Kevin%20Xing%20Ru%20Li.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2929" data-original-width="2929" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXH4Lm0rpBAaDw47QjbU1ApwQ2c2RH6Gz_KC-SRl4vRh76mdHu4DSwrBXVJAmBsRNu2zN49dZtPDZ9s_mCtZePITO5lPuEOTuIdDi1d7z0G7dIMCvGvQezpSqGR6hpbz1G_Etbhsp2ve8tVF9xmqGWWOyLjjhjs7cYdzpE_1CUsRHJyQKZTm0N7RlnlR8/w640-h640/Composer-Kevin%20Xing%20Ru%20Li.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Kevin Xing Ru Li</b></td></tr></tbody></table>The Chinese American composer Kevin Xing Ru Li (b.1997) composes lush andemotionally expressive music that invites his listeners on an unforgettable journey.<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>He sees music as a metaphorical tool to convey and reflect the human psychological condition and social issues of the present day. Aside from Mahlerian romanticism, his musical language includes many cultural references to Chinese folk, American jazz, and European classical music traditions.<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>He earned a Master of Music in composition at the College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati (CCM). Currently, he is pursuing his Doctoral degree in CCM, studying under Award-winning composer Douglas Knehans.<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="color: #0d0d14;">Web: <a href="http://www.kevin-x-li.com/"><span style="color: black;">www.kevin-x-li.com</span></a></span></span></p></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #1d1e1f; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;"><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2nd Place:</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Andrew Sharrock </b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Fairfax VA</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Brass Quintet No. 2: Life in the Time of COVID-19</i></b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisB5YfGvMVejl-ptHxIfDCIk7Vr6xUlVFlqw5Gm3bvlg8iLniqggWp4lswJ_smV0cqJfY4HSFDbAMnjrcBbPSDBYrpjeSDsRBzFbb7B1TfbRaBqnUHescgi8o4niDfnFgVJQR_c35lJvQxVeH2EAgO2iYTWjselQxISDB5N5yX9LOo8EGcLRLykGZkUidP/s3000/Sharrock.Headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="2400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisB5YfGvMVejl-ptHxIfDCIk7Vr6xUlVFlqw5Gm3bvlg8iLniqggWp4lswJ_smV0cqJfY4HSFDbAMnjrcBbPSDBYrpjeSDsRBzFbb7B1TfbRaBqnUHescgi8o4niDfnFgVJQR_c35lJvQxVeH2EAgO2iYTWjselQxISDB5N5yX9LOo8EGcLRLykGZkUidP/w512-h640/Sharrock.Headshot.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Andrew Sharrock</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Andrew Sharrock is a music educator and composer, originally from Central Islip, NY. He has earned degrees in Music Education (B.M. 2016) and Composition (M.M. 2022) from George Mason University. Sharrock has been the Director of Bands at Glasgow Middle School in Alexandria, VA since 2018. Sharrock’s compositions have been performed across the country including performances at the VMEA Conference, Charlotte New Music Festival, and the Composing for Percussion Seminar. Sharrock’s composition teachers include Dr. Michael Nickens, Dr. Robert Gillam, Mark Camphouse, and Ivan Trevino. Sharrock holds membership in the National Association for Music Educators, Virginia Music Educators Association, Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. In 2019 he was selected for the VMEA Leadership Symposium. He currently lives in Oakton, VA with his fiancé and their dog, Evie. In his free time Sharrock enjoys hiking, camping and rooting for the New York Yankees.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3rd Place:</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Wenbin Lyu </b></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Cincinnati OH </b></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Turbulent Mind </i></b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7n7aoMKAgm5KpWuOCyvGqcLL3NP6nrtWlNIEXR9oVPW3nfpOur1oW5-Nfy-gpDrv_nMzJL1Qq8nUd26BR_9MYU7HCD0Q2jav-ABIcZAs25SfhRpPGHPnjUNFbAaG2m-HOrRDOuS8e0jBSufp74VeCwlYw8pwqpMgimQet1xUQQae2wwsfLbOoXdsBW1w/s2176/Photo-Wenbin%20Lyu.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2176" data-original-width="2176" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7n7aoMKAgm5KpWuOCyvGqcLL3NP6nrtWlNIEXR9oVPW3nfpOur1oW5-Nfy-gpDrv_nMzJL1Qq8nUd26BR_9MYU7HCD0Q2jav-ABIcZAs25SfhRpPGHPnjUNFbAaG2m-HOrRDOuS8e0jBSufp74VeCwlYw8pwqpMgimQet1xUQQae2wwsfLbOoXdsBW1w/w640-h640/Photo-Wenbin%20Lyu.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Wenbin Lyu</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Wenbin Lyu is a US-based Chinese composer. Lyu has received fellowships from Tanglewood Music Center, Cabrillo Festival Composers Workshop, and Britten-Pears Young Artist Programme. Lyu’s works have been performed at many events, including ICMC, EMM, NYCEMF, TUTTI, Alba, SPLICE, among others. His music has been performed by Beijing Symphony, Tianjin Symphony, Fifth House Ensemble, Del Sol Quartet, icarus Quartet, and Transient Canvas. Lyu is the recipient of the 2021 ASCAP Young Composer Awards. Two VR movies he composed premiered at the Cannes International Film Festival in 2016. Lyu serves as a composer-in-residence at HAcappella based at Harvard University, and the all-female musician group New Downbeat in Cincinnati. Lyu received his degrees from China Conservatory (BA) and New England Conservatory (MM), and he is currently pursuing a Doctorate at Cincinnati-College Conservatory. <span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://wenbinlyu.com/">wenbinlyu.com</a></span></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p></span></div><div><p style="background-color: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">***</span></p></div><p><i style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: inherit;">Congratulations!</i> </p>davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10142661857434106176noreply@blogger.com0Danbury, CT, USA41.394817 -73.454011113.084583163821158 -108.6102611 69.705050836178856 -38.2977611tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903769510370841145.post-73326296602469951042023-11-28T09:29:00.003-05:002023-11-28T09:29:52.879-05:00 The American Prize Update: 11/28/23<p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimg_RMTS79GnAmt8f9hnaf9yBQYvuhRcudjLBDrw5mMQ2vnj_e091d-wwcnDvhQ9tThX3Qiy0WdxZJWTZlLu3EgjdwqYMjkSqdlzEDyYPXsSMdMNTi5Ely_LRwpC3SWdZcEu9dyy26shJ48SZOzpKSWZ-LP9jdz1JBuKsbXgXkA8v0jGDSl1hHUZW5eHH7/s925/sealonblack.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="925" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimg_RMTS79GnAmt8f9hnaf9yBQYvuhRcudjLBDrw5mMQ2vnj_e091d-wwcnDvhQ9tThX3Qiy0WdxZJWTZlLu3EgjdwqYMjkSqdlzEDyYPXsSMdMNTi5Ely_LRwpC3SWdZcEu9dyy26shJ48SZOzpKSWZ-LP9jdz1JBuKsbXgXkA8v0jGDSl1hHUZW5eHH7/s320/sealonblack.png" width="320" /></a></div>The final WINNER ANNOUNCEMENTS of the 2023 season:<p></p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Winners and runners-up: </span><br /><b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The American Prize in Composition (covid related), 2023</span><br /></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Thur Nov 30, 5pm on our blog</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Winners and runners-up: </span><br /><b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The American Prize in Composition (social justice related), 2023</span><br /></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Fri Dec 1, 5pm on our blog</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Winners and runners-up: </span><br /><b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The American Prize in Opera Performance, 2023</span><br /></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Mon Dec 4, 5pm on our blog</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Winners and runners-up: </span><br /><b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The American Prize in Directing (opera)—The Charles Nelson Reilly Prize, 2023</span><br /></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Wed Dec 6, 5pm on our blog</span><br /><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="http://theamericanprize.blogspot.com/"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">http://theamericanprize.blogspot.com/</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Awards and certificates are now being prepared for 2023 laureates. All voice and piano packages have been sent. (If your address has changed since you applied, please send us the information by putting “NEW ADDRESS” in the subject line of an email to us at <a href="http://theamericanprize@gmail.com.">theamericanprize@gmail.com.</a>)</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The December edition of “What’s on TAP,” the e-newsletter of The American Prize, will feature links to the complete list of 2023 winners.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Questions? <a href="mailto:theamericanprize@gmail.com">theamericanprize@gmail.com</a>. Many thanks.</span>davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10142661857434106176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903769510370841145.post-88439981229122554052023-11-21T17:00:00.002-05:002023-11-21T17:00:00.139-05:00National winners: COMPOSERS (instrumental chamber music), 2023<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgA27LqzHVmI5qotL_87Y1uzJjvKmDiYOruz_n6x3KGqC9J9qlnATGP_4sTzrxzJOzbB72Q-aqXUM1QeFq8jN1QERdKh0RURHXbQXTGxOhPqpJgnykQnJf-AxOnyoWV1qQk8FesgxT5N4/s1600/composer.png" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgA27LqzHVmI5qotL_87Y1uzJjvKmDiYOruz_n6x3KGqC9J9qlnATGP_4sTzrxzJOzbB72Q-aqXUM1QeFq8jN1QERdKh0RURHXbQXTGxOhPqpJgnykQnJf-AxOnyoWV1qQk8FesgxT5N4/w200-h200/composer.png" width="200" /></a><b>The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts</b>, David Volosin Katz, founder and chief judge, is honored to announce 2023 national winners, runners-up and honorable mentions in The American Prize in Composition—instrumental chamber music divisions. Congratulations! Questions, or to make us aware of any misprints in the listings below, please email: <a href="mailto:theamericanprize@gmail.com">theamericanprize@gmail.com</a></p><div><span><span><div><span><b>The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts</b> is the nation's most comprehensive series of contests in the performing arts. The American Prize is unique in scope and structure, designed to recognize and reward the best performing artists, directors, ensembles and composers in the United States at professional, college/university, community and high school levels, based on submitted recordings. Now in its thirteenth year, <span>The American Prize was founded in 2010 and is awarded annually in many areas of the performing arts. Thousands of artists from all fifty states have derived benefit from their participation in the contests of The American Prize, </span>representing literally hundreds of communities and arts organizations across the nation.<span> </span><span> </span>(<a href="http://theamericanprize.org">http://theamericanprize.org</a>)</span></div><div><div><br /></div></div></span></span><h2><span style="color: #e06666;">The American Prize in Composition—instrumental chamber music (PROFESSIONAL division), 2023</span></h2><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The American Prize winner:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Sturdivant Adams </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Mill Valley CA </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Redwood</i> </b></span></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kV7nC9Wya9ePZM47mCbzuNqdj4Jkgev72bBv328ZhRwc03ecApwGJJsss2875k_sK1kNEo6mmAsmYrGUbaewew5ATyPvL90MU0Jo4YYZB3T6Rtp-0YhyDuBWjty5qJagqSeXnmznjPNZpwJ4W82DDylCRLye1daXGdNWRerOHK_H9ZbTBXkLYs1fCnOu/s825/Sturdivant%20Adams%20-%20photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="803" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kV7nC9Wya9ePZM47mCbzuNqdj4Jkgev72bBv328ZhRwc03ecApwGJJsss2875k_sK1kNEo6mmAsmYrGUbaewew5ATyPvL90MU0Jo4YYZB3T6Rtp-0YhyDuBWjty5qJagqSeXnmznjPNZpwJ4W82DDylCRLye1daXGdNWRerOHK_H9ZbTBXkLYs1fCnOu/w622-h640/Sturdivant%20Adams%20-%20photo.jpg" width="622" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Sturdivant Adams</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Sturdivant Adams is a recipient of a 2020 ASCAP Morton Gould Award, a two-time nominee of the Hollywood Music in Media Awards, winner of the 2020 ScoreLive Composer of the Year Award, and the winner of the Royal Northern Sinfonia’s 2018 “New Year, New Music” Award. His <i>Symphony 2</i> was commissioned by Warsaw’s Polin Museum, premiering in 2019 by the Sinfonia Varsovia Orchestra. He has also composed for the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Northern Sinfonia, London’s Orchestra for the Earth, and Brightwork Newmusic/LA HearNow Festival. An active film composer, his score for adventure romance feature <i>Prisoners of Paradise</i> (2024) was recorded at Abbey Road Studios, and he works for renowned film composer Benjamin Wallfisch as an additional composer. He holds an MPhil in Music Composition from the University of Oxford, an MM in Screen Scoring from the USC Thornton School of Music ‘19, and a BA <i>magna cum laude</i> from Columbia University ’16.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: inherit;">Website: <a href="https://sturdivantadams.com/"><span style="color: black;">https://sturdivantadams.com</span></a></span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2nd Place (3-way tie):</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Jeffrey Bowen </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Seattle WA </b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What Will Sound (was already sound)</b></span></i></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25VEjOtPHPpT4pR6UFxmv7OdFi_bY46UiOLw9LRos40XW2LwgOj4bUZeGOn58pkWwAEnnjvkKvyrJw1FTCqWfPR2q4PwqMew9ouc0lDPB-8mLlQ9vm1N94ckU6PlCXbMyLXHoEh2L8CaoVHwuNJhdjkiAHt5EbxtTTbbTEPVoVVtvnR_5cortsIix2CR-/s1761/Bowen,%20Jeffrey%20-%20Headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1558" data-original-width="1761" height="566" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25VEjOtPHPpT4pR6UFxmv7OdFi_bY46UiOLw9LRos40XW2LwgOj4bUZeGOn58pkWwAEnnjvkKvyrJw1FTCqWfPR2q4PwqMew9ouc0lDPB-8mLlQ9vm1N94ckU6PlCXbMyLXHoEh2L8CaoVHwuNJhdjkiAHt5EbxtTTbbTEPVoVVtvnR_5cortsIix2CR-/w640-h566/Bowen,%20Jeffrey%20-%20Headshot.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Jeffrey Bowen</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Jeffrey Bowen is a composer of acoustic and electroacoustic music, whose works have been performed by Pascal Gallois, Beta Collide, and the Luminosity Orchestra, among others. He was awarded First Prize in the 30th International Composition Competition “Città di Barletta,” and has presented work at the Darmstadt Courses for New Music, the International Computer Music Conference, and as a resident artist at the Atlantic Center for the Arts. In 2019 he received a Jack Straw Artist Support grant to record his work for the Harry Partch Instruments, Where All That’s Solid Melts Into Air, and his piece What Will Sound (was already sound), for violin and electronics, was released by Parma Records in 2020. He lives in Seattle, where he teaches music theory and guitar at Seattle University and is co-director of the Inverted Space Ensemble. He completed a DMA in composition at the University of Washington under Joël-François Durand.</span></p></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></div><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2nd Place (3-way tie): </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Peter Dickson Lopez </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Oakland CA </b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>MISE-EN Series II; Episode 1</b></span></i></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXpYVAg7mxMVajFrT6q192wRn5N9I0radpUWgppdnpugeDUjPg_ADDVVjCi4213haXtLNrplLeak3CbZIJCAK_j0nUaBS4aToFmtwqxxSWZzJBFaLR2ZBaLeZ26JH6DvELYmz9liEHZU0Cfz1100mR3w-CoVFCDvCArQhyphenhyphentIN1uQjRuh2kGeHmYtrhCaPu/s1014/lopez.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="970" data-original-width="1014" height="612" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXpYVAg7mxMVajFrT6q192wRn5N9I0radpUWgppdnpugeDUjPg_ADDVVjCi4213haXtLNrplLeak3CbZIJCAK_j0nUaBS4aToFmtwqxxSWZzJBFaLR2ZBaLeZ26JH6DvELYmz9liEHZU0Cfz1100mR3w-CoVFCDvCArQhyphenhyphentIN1uQjRuh2kGeHmYtrhCaPu/w640-h612/lopez.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Peter Dickson Lopez</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Lopez studied at the University of California at Berkeley (USA), was a fellowship composer at Tanglewood (USA), and was awarded the George Ladd Prix de Paris (1976-78). Most influential to Lopez’s artistic development was his residence in Paris and attendance at IRCAM events. Later, his <i>Ship of Death</i> received its world premiere by the Dutch Radio Chamber Orchestra conducted by Ernest Bour, later released on the 1750 Arch Records Label in 1980 by the Arch Ensemble. His works have been performed internationally. World premieres of recent works have been performed by the Sydney Contemporary Orchestra in Sydney, Australia (2017, 2018), the Ensemble MISE-EN in Seoul, South Korea (2018), and by the KLK String Orchestra in Lviv, Ukraine (2022). <i>MISE-EN Series II Episode I for Amplified String Quartet and Acousmatic Sound</i> will be released in 2022 on the Navona Record Label, performed by the Sirius String Quartet. <a href="https://peterdicksonlopez.com/">https://peterdicksonlopez.com</a> <a href="https://peterdicksonlopez.net/">https://peterdicksonlopez.net</a></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2nd Place (3-way tie):</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Christopher Lowry </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Hoover AL </b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Etym/Entom}ology - A Metamorphosis for Flute, Viola, and Harp </b></span></i></div></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgC6vjp5Q3RaTxS4ZAfZ4sklb1G6fjiOJ62QCqrdrXeHLEpQdmDAd1u2Zt3H2jRGy_mGAmZ05r_PG2dzbhG6A1UYVRAxzdDoGTL6IJaP7Z0YO8x3Hp2xSYFASPZ5jpkQSDoDw0NTpeMH8gz9a56NwXCETJXABbQ1gSaYl0bTPzR7XpMAkJLHBDw5p8yGuA/s4225/C%20Lowry%20-%20Headshot%202021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3544" data-original-width="4225" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgC6vjp5Q3RaTxS4ZAfZ4sklb1G6fjiOJ62QCqrdrXeHLEpQdmDAd1u2Zt3H2jRGy_mGAmZ05r_PG2dzbhG6A1UYVRAxzdDoGTL6IJaP7Z0YO8x3Hp2xSYFASPZ5jpkQSDoDw0NTpeMH8gz9a56NwXCETJXABbQ1gSaYl0bTPzR7XpMAkJLHBDw5p8yGuA/w640-h536/C%20Lowry%20-%20Headshot%202021.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Christopher Lowry</b></td></tr></tbody></table>A two-time prizewinner in the Lionel Tertis International Viola Competition, Grand Prize winner in the 2015 Lewisville Lake Symphony International String Competition, winner of the 2017 Sousa/ABA/Ostwald Composition Award, and winner of Cuarteto Jose White’s 2018 “Nuestra America” Award, <b>Dr. Christopher Lowry </b>maintains a busy performing schedule throughout the United States and Mexico. He is currently principal violist of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra; previously, he served as principal violist of the Amarillo, Baton Rouge, and Acadiana Symphony Orchestras. Lowry is also the violist of the Lagniappe Trio and an in-demand session musician in Nashville. He recently led a consortium of 20 violists to commission the first major Mexican viola concerto by Eduardo Gamboa, which he will premiere with the Orquesta Sinfónica Sinaloa de las Artes in 2023. Lowry’s self-produced debut solo CD, <i>Milestones: New Music for Viola from the Third Millennium</i>, released April 2021 on Centaur Records and is available on all major streaming platforms. Lowry’s music has been performed in venues such as Carnegie Hall, Walt Disney Hall, the Chicago Symphony Center, and the Kennedy Center by ensembles such as the Nashville Symphony, Alabama Symphony, West Point Band, Central Band of the Royal Air Force, and many others.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3rd Place (3-way tie):</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Oliver Caplan </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Medford MA </b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Watershed </b></span></i></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQb4muwWrO0BXtulBAo1Z3RRKn2r6BusBBjX1AnmfRFwSZdvq3ulhVQlXpzJ3SEy54Q3OX4qqJ1yRIgSwkMuHIeCKN_zZWmgpaxOl__6YjH6j3iMX1lkuJfZUeiSAmCjVVkxgN8bfvAe7vldxubu5SzL72kuU4QJXnMUy7lRJOctA75fhYX-974pY99oC/s640/Oliver_Caplan_Headshot_2022.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQb4muwWrO0BXtulBAo1Z3RRKn2r6BusBBjX1AnmfRFwSZdvq3ulhVQlXpzJ3SEy54Q3OX4qqJ1yRIgSwkMuHIeCKN_zZWmgpaxOl__6YjH6j3iMX1lkuJfZUeiSAmCjVVkxgN8bfvAe7vldxubu5SzL72kuU4QJXnMUy7lRJOctA75fhYX-974pY99oC/w428-h640/Oliver_Caplan_Headshot_2022.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Oliver Caplan</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Award-winning American composer Oliver Caplan writes melodies that nourish our souls, offering a voice of hope in an uncertain world. <span style="color: #262626;">Inspired by the resiliency of the human spirit and beauty of the natural world, his music celebrates stories of social justice, conservation and community.</span> Mr. Caplan’s works have been performed in over 175 performances nationwide. He has been commissioned by the Atlanta Chamber Players, Bella Piano Trio, Bronx Arts Ensemble and New Hampshire Master Chorale, among others. Winner of a Special Citation for the American Prize in Orchestral Composition, additional recognitions include two Veridian Symphony Competition Wins and the Fifth House Ensemble Competition Grand Prize. Caplan’s 2017 album <i>You Are Not Alone</i>, was has featured on Apple Music’s Classical A-list and streamed over 200,000 times. Additional recordings include his 2021 release <i>Watershed</i>, and tracks on Trio Siciliano’s <i>Exploring Music </i>(2018, U07 Records) and the Sinfonietta of Riverdale’s <i>New World Serenade </i>(2016, Albany Records). <a href="http://www.olivercaplan.com/"><span style="color: #103cc0;">www.olivercaplan.com</span></a></span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3rd Place (3-way tie):</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Jacob Dalager </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Las Cruces NM </b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Suite Analogique </b> </span></i></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSp1T3phaACNFn6Q2YEhKEpKAhwbKRiVWP0k-g-8U29jOYA6PxuolZZ_QApnddCe2K518p5izvssp2HxWonEGYucxGzATbQvLNqilK2YSg8x13mYuuMPwbArKCKS9qpDeRvUM9F0XZ3-83mKIQdEJUlu0mBYfXMcXzm08xT4dIvFy0WF8-Ze9dK2414Fuv/s2200/Jacob%20Dalager.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1467" data-original-width="2200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSp1T3phaACNFn6Q2YEhKEpKAhwbKRiVWP0k-g-8U29jOYA6PxuolZZ_QApnddCe2K518p5izvssp2HxWonEGYucxGzATbQvLNqilK2YSg8x13mYuuMPwbArKCKS9qpDeRvUM9F0XZ3-83mKIQdEJUlu0mBYfXMcXzm08xT4dIvFy0WF8-Ze9dK2414Fuv/w640-h426/Jacob%20Dalager.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Jacob Dalager</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Dr. Jacob Dalager is an award-winning composer, international soloist, recording artist, and Professor of Trumpet and Jazz at New Mexico State University. His works have been commissioned and performed by the Austin Symphony Orchestra, St. Olaf Band, Lirica Chamber Orchestra, Parkway Brass, and Violetta Duo, among many others. Dalager’s style is accessible yet innovative; it’s rhythmically-driven with ear-catching melodies and jazz-inflected harmony. Recent accomplishments include winning second prize in the Robert Avalon International Competition for Composers for his brass quintet, <i>Suite Analogique</i>; and <i>3ɟutures for trumpet and orchestra</i> winning second prize at the Music International Grand Prix. Dalager’s newest concerto for trumpet and wind ensemble, <i>Organ Mountain Fantasia, </i>was premiered this April by the NMSU Wind Symphony. His latest projects include five new jazz big band arrangements based on the music of Raffy Bushman and a new original mixed chamber symphony.</span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3rd Place (3-way tie):</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Heather Gilligan</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Keene NH </b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Rhapsody for violin and piano </b></span></i></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2AAz7Prx-n1m0BoIEihNX10S9ekEmC1UbxafkA6Vrxm_cVuU5VqGv85kdSsQ3m6QUK_6M3trR2oFNYSE_qBLpEtOvlf1K_dQkJMaAKXAli5LmJQkWZgR4qiI8XLTHBBt1neQni6ldgh7FQ7S9rsfRKCrVIcsK8ms6YR_OoVwboACtLCbL95uYU8jrn0PA/s2048/Gilligan%20-%20photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1367" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2AAz7Prx-n1m0BoIEihNX10S9ekEmC1UbxafkA6Vrxm_cVuU5VqGv85kdSsQ3m6QUK_6M3trR2oFNYSE_qBLpEtOvlf1K_dQkJMaAKXAli5LmJQkWZgR4qiI8XLTHBBt1neQni6ldgh7FQ7S9rsfRKCrVIcsK8ms6YR_OoVwboACtLCbL95uYU8jrn0PA/w428-h640/Gilligan%20-%20photo.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Heather Gilligan</b></td></tr></tbody></table>American composer Heather Gilligan writes music that is honest, compassionate, and relevant. Her album of vocal chamber music “capably demonstrates that the art song is not only alive and well but thriving in the early decades of the 21st century” (Jonathan Blumhofer, The Arts Fuse). Her newest vocal work, <i>Southern Dissonance: Portraits of a New South</i>, focuses on themes of civil rights and was toured by the Kinnara Ensemble in Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia in 2022. Her woodwind quintet, <i>Six of One</i>, was performed at the 2022 Women’s Festival of Hartford. Her song cycle, <i>Living in Light</i>, won the Los Angeles-based Kaleidoscope Orchestra’s 2019 Call for Scores, a contest that accepted 2,200 entries across 90 countries. Her song "I'm a Girl. What's your superpower?" won second place in the 2019 NYC SongSLAM Festival and she won the Boston-based Juventas New Music Ensemble's Call for Scores in 2018 and 2019. <a href="http://www.heathergilligan.com/"><span style="color: #103cc0;">www.heathergilligan.com</span></a></span></p></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></div><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Finalist Honorable Mention:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Sheila Gail Bristow </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Tacoma WA </b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Six Preludes on a Theme </b></span></i></div></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BwTPUCqV5W68M1_RRXe7Rl3wt8BcRK51AJqXMq30oXN13sDzihyphenhyphenBUT2v72Iqv50gzIEm-gUtbrDgFkXcp5WVkPfxnnQAayST4s87vR2zX7GNUSNbgcxvMl4HDgi550J3fXHbyr40YSVu3__vAQ7-t8P_V8v5N7TRgYRUYOW-Y6S_fVyk5cmsAHzVJboR/s4032/Bristow%20Headshot%20(Ruston).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BwTPUCqV5W68M1_RRXe7Rl3wt8BcRK51AJqXMq30oXN13sDzihyphenhyphenBUT2v72Iqv50gzIEm-gUtbrDgFkXcp5WVkPfxnnQAayST4s87vR2zX7GNUSNbgcxvMl4HDgi550J3fXHbyr40YSVu3__vAQ7-t8P_V8v5N7TRgYRUYOW-Y6S_fVyk5cmsAHzVJboR/w480-h640/Bristow%20Headshot%20(Ruston).jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Sheila Gail Bristow</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Sheila Bristow is a composer, church musician, and collaborative keyboardist living in Tacoma, WA. She is particularly known for her skill in text setting, and her solo songs and choral works have been performed throughout the Pacific Northwest. Recent commissions include When Music Sounds, a work in three movements for chamber orchestra, chorus, and tenor solo for Seattle-based Harmonia Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by William C. White. Sheila studied composition with Bern Herbolsheimer as a Kreielsheimer Scholar at Cornish College of the Arts. After receiving her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Composition, Sheila honed her skills as a collaborative keyboardist, including earning a Master of Music in Organ Performance from the University of Washington, where she studied with Dr. Carole Terry. Sheila has continued studying with John Muehleisen and in workshops sponsored by American Composers Forum, Art Song Lab, Lehigh University, and Vancouver Pro Musica.</span></p></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></div><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Finalist Honorable Mention:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Timothy Corpus </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Chicago IL </b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>This is What Democracy Looks Like </b></span></i></div></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8iQO_vkPgkUmv6s8awBQ5_hvccpiWDnwWKDzakANpm2fWW2xAkL0o2ICbwDzJHiyb_Hy5YRZNHagThQUR2kIV8xRMMMPxpSpJBleBS6a0xB5sGt6_xTQ7DNV_qv65Zs82WDXYB7OiOC-WnuU8Ek81AQW4W-0KHkJz7E_j1TOhSRJGiIWOjZNc87_hEMSp/s2532/corpus.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1978" data-original-width="2532" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8iQO_vkPgkUmv6s8awBQ5_hvccpiWDnwWKDzakANpm2fWW2xAkL0o2ICbwDzJHiyb_Hy5YRZNHagThQUR2kIV8xRMMMPxpSpJBleBS6a0xB5sGt6_xTQ7DNV_qv65Zs82WDXYB7OiOC-WnuU8Ek81AQW4W-0KHkJz7E_j1TOhSRJGiIWOjZNc87_hEMSp/w640-h500/corpus.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Timothy Corpus</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Timothy Corpus is an internationally performed composer, sound designer, and arts administrator who calls Chicago home. Highlights include performances at Carnegie Hall, the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, the Kennedy Center, Federal Justica Cultural Center of Brazil, the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, and many more. In addition to concerts, he has been featured on CNN Money, 98.7 WFMT, the Connecticut Historical Society, the Sound of Silent Film Festival, and Classical King FM: Second Inversion. His diverse career in the arts has included work on and off the stage as an Executive Director, Production Manager and an educator at Loyola University Chicago and Chicago City Colleges. As a composer for visual media, he has written for films, commercials, and interactive media. His most recent album, “MMXX”, was shortlisted for the 2022 Grammy awards and hailed as “a striking disc” by critic Robert Hugill. Learn more at <a href="http://www.timcorpus.net/"><span style="color: #103cc0;">www.timcorpus.net</span></a></span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Finalist Honorable Mention:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Jorge Machain </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Henderson NV </b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Adelante </b></span></i></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BJWJQXKr0hMFwbBl10-VGnyAZB1g_MjqSt5_-heqo7brHYsV6vHzyOpRvlpBGreYZ-iR4sILTfQdBeW4ekVi54Tz-XCssGaTjrqWEKene578aDK554godbRydBR3q87IHv0il0ikAPWF2_s6Y-L4o8gzLvbaJBbnjrASf295h45Ns0h1o51bEs9633Mu/s1333/Jorge%20Machain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BJWJQXKr0hMFwbBl10-VGnyAZB1g_MjqSt5_-heqo7brHYsV6vHzyOpRvlpBGreYZ-iR4sILTfQdBeW4ekVi54Tz-XCssGaTjrqWEKene578aDK554godbRydBR3q87IHv0il0ikAPWF2_s6Y-L4o8gzLvbaJBbnjrASf295h45Ns0h1o51bEs9633Mu/w480-h640/Jorge%20Machain.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Jorge Machain</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Jorge Machain is a Mexican native who currently calls Las Vegas his home. He is an active musician in the Las Vegas scene having played shows such <i>Showstoppers </i>at the Wynn, <i>Zombie Burlesque</i> in Planet Hollywood, Georgia On My Mind at the Venetian Hotel, to name a few. Jorge graduated from UNLV with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Composition and Master of Music in Jazz Composition. In addition to performing, he composes for both classic and jazz ensembles. He has won multiple Downbeat awards for his arrangements and was a finalist in the 2018 NBA Revelli competition for his piece <i>Bite the Bullet</i>, commissioned by Thomas Leslie, Director of Bands UNLV, finalist of the Morton Gould Young Composer Competition for 2019, winner of the 2019 NBA Young Composers Jazz Composition Contest for his original composition <i>Por Ahora,</i> winner of the 2020 American Prize composer in the band category (student division), Finalist for the 2021 NGC Lab Composition Competition, Morton Gould Composer Award recipient for 2021 and recently received 1st place for the 2021 “International Young Talented Composers Competition”. Recent commissions include a drum set concerto written for Bernie Dresel, commissioned by Thomas Leslie, and a trombone solo commissioned by Joseph Alessi, principal trombonist of the New York Phil, and was featured at the <i>Cutting Edge Music Festival</i> in New York of April 2021. Jorge’s music has been performed in notable concert halls such as Reynolds Hall at the Smith Center, Artemus Hall at UNLV, Symphony Space in NY, and in premier jazz festival such as the Monterey Jazz Festival.</span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Finalist Honorable Mention:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Stephen Mallon </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Wyndmoor PA </b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Divinum Mysterium</b></span></i></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xN9Iw6T0mYhjaV0nQ2AK-gqSnZULdT8lInPj4HQT7APB0E42lfzhdGgPEieXi6ZuIPGdPaEFmRyc9TyY7n5C3lNwhtSxJbtv7NkQoH9f2lmxT4ZTpR3w38O4xOwI0A-GfjZ5_hhdsw7s8ZEzxVGPz36jIcuWxjDBkCElswZtnpANesfnDAMmOHP_WnBP/s400/StephenMallon-400x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xN9Iw6T0mYhjaV0nQ2AK-gqSnZULdT8lInPj4HQT7APB0E42lfzhdGgPEieXi6ZuIPGdPaEFmRyc9TyY7n5C3lNwhtSxJbtv7NkQoH9f2lmxT4ZTpR3w38O4xOwI0A-GfjZ5_hhdsw7s8ZEzxVGPz36jIcuWxjDBkCElswZtnpANesfnDAMmOHP_WnBP/w640-h640/StephenMallon-400x400.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Stephen Mallon</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Stephen Mallon is a composer, vocalist and digital artist with a background in architecture and theater design. Many of his choral compositions are settings of his own poems. In addition to writing for choral and instrumental ensembles, he has created experimental music and art noise using found sounds, digital synthesis, pattern generators and home-made instruments. A native of New Jersey, he is currently based in southeastern Pennsylvania.</span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Finalist Honorable Mention:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Sydney Elise Moore </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Buford GA </b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The Mask </b></span></i></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8a9l7JLRC0mPBZQI0kJOQtWnDyM2DCKCk6owNq2yu8fjAKPDZmMXHHmK5wpsNL31y9N625vaJNwqLZ3r9qOcsiR885okltLCpWtL6ibC6chIR3N_dWqX-7f6s3IUL35XB9EWHyyrbEFtqpkLRrdeeACvXUtwAuQrnU38WXt5oGgHQ_24iQenlcmd69Trh/s1532/Sydney%20Moore_Photograph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1532" data-original-width="1056" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8a9l7JLRC0mPBZQI0kJOQtWnDyM2DCKCk6owNq2yu8fjAKPDZmMXHHmK5wpsNL31y9N625vaJNwqLZ3r9qOcsiR885okltLCpWtL6ibC6chIR3N_dWqX-7f6s3IUL35XB9EWHyyrbEFtqpkLRrdeeACvXUtwAuQrnU38WXt5oGgHQ_24iQenlcmd69Trh/w442-h640/Sydney%20Moore_Photograph.jpg" width="442" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Sydney Elise Moore</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Sydney E. Moore first discovered her passion for composition while completing a music theory assignment at Valdosta State University (VSU). The assignment in question was a fugue written for a string quartet entitled Fugue in G minor. Her music theory professor, Dr. Jim Morris was so impressed with her work that he suggested that the piece be performed in the up-and-coming student recital. Moore followed Dr. Morris’ advice and had Fugue in G minor programed. The positive reception of her work subsequently encouraged her to pursue a career in composition. Starting in 2018, Moore attended graduate school at Georgia State University (GSU) where she earned an M.M in Music Composition. While at GSU, Moore studied mostly under Dr. Nickitas Demos, the Coordinator of Composition Studies. When working on a composition, Moore aims to create an experience that will provoke thought and evoke an emotional response. </span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Finalist Honorable Mention:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Robert Anton Strobel </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Elizabeth CO </b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Vortex Soup </b> </span></i></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2g8D-N_jOqH-tPyyXpRqqWtpQE11X_rt8vypvvw-DaYqiguYqYp7FQNiBtLStWEj93gfL7p-1Rsbt3ihZR5_F2oeKe0oYoViOMfP2TRkAoa_phl-MsyTj_SY7x0OaBWjA7hFw2eH4gXgIkGjEQPcnqrHI0OzdS9Q3vcJF7KkHFVF02pA11mlAv7UrfIr3/s3088/Robert%20Anton%20Strobel%20Headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2g8D-N_jOqH-tPyyXpRqqWtpQE11X_rt8vypvvw-DaYqiguYqYp7FQNiBtLStWEj93gfL7p-1Rsbt3ihZR5_F2oeKe0oYoViOMfP2TRkAoa_phl-MsyTj_SY7x0OaBWjA7hFw2eH4gXgIkGjEQPcnqrHI0OzdS9Q3vcJF7KkHFVF02pA11mlAv7UrfIr3/w480-h640/Robert%20Anton%20Strobel%20Headshot.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Robert Anton Strobel</b></td></tr></tbody></table>According to Navona Records, Robert Anton Strobel’s music “...explores the human drama...in profoundly thought-out rhythmic and melodic structures.” He writes music with deep emotional underpinnings and innovative forms of expression. The over 20 commissions he has received through time include a work for the Ladyslipper Ensemble, two commissions from the Barlow Endowment, a Mizzou New Music Initiative-funded work for chamber players of the St. Louis Symphony, [TriO], among many others. He has won an NFA award for his published music twice, among other placements in festivals and competitions. His music can be found on Spotify, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/2NhM5M2aRw13ckRRoSEnyu"><span style="color: #103cc0;">https://open.spotify.com/artist/2NhM5M2aRw13ckRRoSEnyu</span></a>, TikTok @strobelcomposer, and Instagram @strobelcomposer. His works can be found published by Forton Music. </span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Finalist Honorable Mention:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Michael Twomey </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>San Antonio TX </b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>String Quartet No. 5: "Rosa Mystica" </b></span></i></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabDRJvUnV2o52YV8-VvAYjFa5tyzhZS15gncZlRqgcbrHhMWABZ4S2L92NsjzJ6NZXQCYV22gRVehoW3lfU39MiAQDv-mTfYqeuCtcxySr8c0cM0o29YtAZcNQxL4QZex-u_-6g8uqowfPrhQpICeG5V0sA6iLWH15rRXywCjRQ8_WnCBOHUmEL5hjysF/s576/TwomeyAmericanPrizePic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="576" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabDRJvUnV2o52YV8-VvAYjFa5tyzhZS15gncZlRqgcbrHhMWABZ4S2L92NsjzJ6NZXQCYV22gRVehoW3lfU39MiAQDv-mTfYqeuCtcxySr8c0cM0o29YtAZcNQxL4QZex-u_-6g8uqowfPrhQpICeG5V0sA6iLWH15rRXywCjRQ8_WnCBOHUmEL5hjysF/w640-h426/TwomeyAmericanPrizePic.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Michael Twomey</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Described by Robert C. Marsh of the Chicago Sun-Times as “a composer of considerable imagination and talent,” Michael Twomey began composing at age 13. At 17, he became the youngest recipient of a Montana Arts Council Grant, continuing to win the Great Falls Symphony Concerto Competition at 18.After graduating with high honors from the University of Montana (where he received a full scholarship to study composition with Donald O. Johnston and violin with Walter Olivares), he was 1 of 20 national recipients of a Community Concerts Young Artists Fellowship which covers total tuition to the school of the student’s choice. After master’s studies at Northwestern University, as a student of Stephen Syverud and Alan Stout, he went on to receive the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University, continuing further studies with George Tsontakis and Justin Dello Joio .He has served as a faculty member at the Cantabile Music School, Northern Michigan University, Dickinson College, West Virginia University, Our Lady of the Lake University (where he received the Provost’s “Over The Top” award for excellence in service to the university community), and St. Mary’s University. Twomey has been the recipient of many awards in composition, among these are awards from NACUSA, Society of Composers (1st prize), Mu Phi Epsilon, the William Fairicy Award for Creative Music, the Lowndes Maury Award in Composition, the Walla Walla Symphony New Music Competition (1st prize), the Virginia Carty-DeLillo Competition (2nd prize), the Bergen Music Festival International Competition (3rd prize), the Britten-On-the-Bay Competition (3rd prize), and was 1 of 6 finalists for the Ladislav Kubik International Prize in Composition as well as a composer fellow to the Aspen Music Festival. Twomey has had his music premiered/performed in 28 of the 50 U.S. states, as well as performances in Canada, Ireland, Australia, and the Czech Republic. His music is published by C.F> Peters?SCI, Brazinmusikanta Publications, and Ars Nova Music. <a href="http://www.mtwomey.com/">www.mtwomey.com</a></span></p></div><div><br /></div></div><div><h2><span style="color: #e06666;">The American Prize in Composition—instrumental chamber music (COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY division), 2023</span></h2><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The American Prize winner:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Alan Mackwell </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Boston MA</b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Remains of a Permian Gas Station </b></span></i></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7z9OCG1BKOtaJQxl9-IwXpxn3br_kW-7UN9EC-IvakhkybvizAwsEo1hpGLvk0LzRerz4hrlOyy-Yuihzd5yaG0dJ1ds5_8DoLVCDbbTzAXWnq8-Rtzhv4csvIfP6vw4CnZy0ttAazEJeCZVkXsF8mzLKtGhrzuridcaoI3U8V6wa1kxKGpOG3hBxQ1W1/s1920/alan5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1920" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7z9OCG1BKOtaJQxl9-IwXpxn3br_kW-7UN9EC-IvakhkybvizAwsEo1hpGLvk0LzRerz4hrlOyy-Yuihzd5yaG0dJ1ds5_8DoLVCDbbTzAXWnq8-Rtzhv4csvIfP6vw4CnZy0ttAazEJeCZVkXsF8mzLKtGhrzuridcaoI3U8V6wa1kxKGpOG3hBxQ1W1/w640-h428/alan5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Alan Mackwell</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Described as "an original composer with new ideas and a command of complex symphonic writing" (<span style="color: #103cc0;">BroadStreet Journal</span>), New Zealander-American Alan Mackwell (b. 1998) is a BMI award-winning young composer and banjo-player based in Boulder, Colorado. In his work, Alan seeks to explore a unique blend of atmospheres inspired by his experiences in the Permian Basin, northern New Mexico, and Appalachian North Carolina using a highly resonant and bluegrass-influenced musical language, as well as the utilization of original field recordings and interactive/generative digital interfaces. He earned his BM at the Boston Conservatory, where he studied with John Murphree, Dr. Eun Young Lee, Dr. Curtis Hughes, and Dr. Marti Epstein, and earned his MA at Tufts University where he studied with John McDonald and Kareem Roustom. Alan is currently pursuing his DMA at the University of Colorado Boulder where he teaches an Intro to Music Technology course. Alan’s music has been played on three different continents, and several US states. His compositions have been played by high-achieving groups such as The Philadelphia Youth Orchestra, The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, The Boston Conservatory Contemporary Music Ensemble, Hub New Music, and the Corvus Ensemble. He was the grand prize winner of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra’s Inaugural Young Composers’ Competition in addition to being a two-time finalist for the Todd Corporation Young Composers’ Awards hosted by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. </span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2nd Place (3-way tie):</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Younje Cho </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Bloomington IN</b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Nostalgia </b></span></i></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Fi8S8lX8bJhQzOgnZ0ps28H_crhT4g1RYsot_SW0JOnnY5YYC4Kom_ylQxF6fK6Z7rchqNglST5MQfHkDPsWFSSH7x8cscGqK3zgHz6JUi75vuNDIiTXA0FFFl0QNJ-UtcV5qCKrZCRW91D3cSX7gc4lvfI_XI-c-84Qvexhh5-UL5Pq5ABKKfniXZU-/s1029/YounjeCho_headshot.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1029" data-original-width="937" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Fi8S8lX8bJhQzOgnZ0ps28H_crhT4g1RYsot_SW0JOnnY5YYC4Kom_ylQxF6fK6Z7rchqNglST5MQfHkDPsWFSSH7x8cscGqK3zgHz6JUi75vuNDIiTXA0FFFl0QNJ-UtcV5qCKrZCRW91D3cSX7gc4lvfI_XI-c-84Qvexhh5-UL5Pq5ABKKfniXZU-/w582-h640/YounjeCho_headshot.jpeg" width="582" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Younje Cho</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Younje Cho (b. 1990) is a Korean composer whose in-depth exploration of music is based on a profound interest in the wide variety of diverse changes resulting from the psychological and instinctual processes that occur in the brain when people encounter a sound. The motivation for such exploration is derived most likely from his deep love of nature, the environment, and animals, whereby the composer is eager to contribute via the medium of sound to creating a world of ideas in which people will understand that human beings are part of nature, not superior to it, and live their lives without an anthropocentric perspective. With such an idea, Younje strives to search for a profound truth of the essentials and instincts of nature, including humans, giving shape to a pan-natural sound by exploring common emotions and sentiments people feel when hearing a particular sound and music, as well as how sounds trigger those emotions. He was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in both composition and computer music composition as a double major at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music where he holds the position of a Music Theory Associate Instructor, and where he studies under the guidance of Dr. David Dzubay, John Gibson and Chi Wang.<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></p></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></div><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2nd Place (3-way tie):</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Jack Yagerline </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Fairfax VA</b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Skylights </b></span></i></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpg0UkoN_JKf4y91-RvyJ49Zx6LMh5WV0FJj1YPIcngUmimIY3cp7dE-zvIFDPnQ-WqFEmX2vx6MYXgg074NZkc0QtywFj-AzRxE8m6JK_53sPa_4o4LA8HApEYVoL7v5wEGm9M_3oLdFdtfeDE4-vbK_GBDAhhHA-QHDxzfgxW9q_xpLGbYJLfpol3Xq/s1000/Jack%20Yagerline%20Headshot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpg0UkoN_JKf4y91-RvyJ49Zx6LMh5WV0FJj1YPIcngUmimIY3cp7dE-zvIFDPnQ-WqFEmX2vx6MYXgg074NZkc0QtywFj-AzRxE8m6JK_53sPa_4o4LA8HApEYVoL7v5wEGm9M_3oLdFdtfeDE4-vbK_GBDAhhHA-QHDxzfgxW9q_xpLGbYJLfpol3Xq/w480-h640/Jack%20Yagerline%20Headshot.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Jack Yagerline </b></td></tr></tbody></table>Jack Yagerline is a composer whose music spans a wide variety of genres, with influences ranging from contemporary composers Max Richter and John Cage, to rock bands like The Beatles and Sonic Youth, and Weezer. Jack loves making collaboration a major part of his compositional process. Recent collaborations include his work "Nature Scenes" with the JMU Percussion Ensemble, and "Skylights", a saxophone quintet commissioned by Anthony Cincotta. Recently, Jack was selected as the winner of the JMU New Music for Wind Ensemble Competition for his piece, "Distant Mountains", which was premiered by the JMU Wind Symphony in April 2022. Jack earned his B.M. in Music Composition from James Madison University in 2022, studying with Dr. Eric Guinivan and Dr. Jason Haney. Jack currently attends the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where he is pursuing his M.M. in Music Composition studying with Dr. Mark Engebretson and Dr. Alejandro Rutty.</span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2nd Place (3-way tie):</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Guang Yang </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Los Angeles CA</b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Nonsense Toolbox </b></span></i></div></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwT2uoCCIoCVgfPKe7CxcyTV6ghFhiiRv0PN5dj50hT1PEyEk8aAVP8DaGfr8vkLK51uQs8rPSh0X0jJKtCSbGoKNaCedCprgIrjP7UZcZ-17ucUrnIJ4Ifgo5dCNLhonmFibvUatLQSGZiMCdWPqpQZ4wvhFz7wOAZagZVgjWE0lSypQG-o2JzQ61kfGS/s562/Guang%20photo%20copy%202.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwT2uoCCIoCVgfPKe7CxcyTV6ghFhiiRv0PN5dj50hT1PEyEk8aAVP8DaGfr8vkLK51uQs8rPSh0X0jJKtCSbGoKNaCedCprgIrjP7UZcZ-17ucUrnIJ4Ifgo5dCNLhonmFibvUatLQSGZiMCdWPqpQZ4wvhFz7wOAZagZVgjWE0lSypQG-o2JzQ61kfGS/w546-h640/Guang%20photo%20copy%202.jpeg" width="546" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Guang Yang</b></td></tr></tbody></table>USC International Artist Fellow, Guang Yang is an award-winning composer of orchestra, opera, chamber, and multidisciplinary projects. Her music has been performed around the world in China, US, and Europe, and in music festivals such as Music Composition Class at Frebis University Berlin (2012, 2013) Etchings Festival - VCCA-France (2013), Atlantic Music Festival, Maine U.S. (2013), and Shanghai Contemporary Music Week (2011). Her recent commissions include LA Opera Connects, music for Amy Jo Rhine of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the White Snake Project, and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles. </span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3rd Place (tie):</b></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Ethan Resnik</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Bedford NY</b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Time's Up</b></span></i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-Spgi3ZIUwLcRWch8MKD6p1I6ZAduUaYjakw0w2eeZtMJOk6h8qmCDZNsSnKmXcVA_Ukge4kTFMH12LhBntZWEmPgWpeZrln1km5MJJoQamHzbYkub9LV__YbFlx0GD-mCEzT5-2Y48Gwehd-Tkbzxebo9wzMb_JuAZNYHCm6XROMFIkp7tBYkS9RL-x/s3216/Ethan%20Resnik%20-%20Headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3216" data-original-width="2136" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-Spgi3ZIUwLcRWch8MKD6p1I6ZAduUaYjakw0w2eeZtMJOk6h8qmCDZNsSnKmXcVA_Ukge4kTFMH12LhBntZWEmPgWpeZrln1km5MJJoQamHzbYkub9LV__YbFlx0GD-mCEzT5-2Y48Gwehd-Tkbzxebo9wzMb_JuAZNYHCm6XROMFIkp7tBYkS9RL-x/w426-h640/Ethan%20Resnik%20-%20Headshot.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Ethan Resnik</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Ethan Resnik is currently pursuing a BM Degree in Composition at the Eastman School of Music. His music has been performed by several ensembles, including the North/South Chamber Orchestra, the Akron Symphonic Winds, the New England Music Camp Symphony Orchestra, the Julius Quartet, and The Rhythm Method String Quartet. His music has been performed and recorded across the United States. He was featured as a composer on NPR's From The Top, which aired in February of 2020.<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>He won several piano competitions, performed from NYC Paris, and was a soloist with the North Shore Symphony Orchestra. His experience also includes performing chamber music, accompanying, conducting, and arranging.<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>For two years, Ethan studied composition with Eric Ewazen at The Juilliard School Pre-College Division. During his senior year of high school, he participated in the New York Youth Symphony Composition Program. He also participated in several summer programs and music festivals.</span></div></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3rd Place (tie):</b></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Benjamin Rieke </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Naperville IL</b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Bloom </b></span></i></div></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUUZp8I4fXJL65j5-q3ZG6BIsnyOJqd6Hsh_Ntp6jAURwVC4UHe-ofTahWCJP5kQAvrobZx-X54TVOTEHk822CT7YhgeEkKCO1McILWMMP_FO3U-Vigp89mHvG5-OcGMYPmniN6KO9bZmXpBMj1lWCWB_TMiEDFRUsKUdyG4CNAZWfLtHmeDde7Agr9MQ/s3663/Ben%20Rieke%20headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3663" data-original-width="3198" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUUZp8I4fXJL65j5-q3ZG6BIsnyOJqd6Hsh_Ntp6jAURwVC4UHe-ofTahWCJP5kQAvrobZx-X54TVOTEHk822CT7YhgeEkKCO1McILWMMP_FO3U-Vigp89mHvG5-OcGMYPmniN6KO9bZmXpBMj1lWCWB_TMiEDFRUsKUdyG4CNAZWfLtHmeDde7Agr9MQ/w558-h640/Ben%20Rieke%20headshot.jpg" width="558" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Benjamin Rieke</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Ben Rieke (b. 2000) is a composer and pianist from Naperville, Illinois. He is currently a senior at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music where he has studied composition with P.Q. Phan, David Dzubay, Claude Baker and Don Freund as well as piano with Roberto Plano. He has previously won awards from Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra, ASCAP, Tribeca New Music and NYC's Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, and has participated in masterclasses with Georg Friedrich Haas, Du Yun, and David Ludwig. Ensembles that have performed Ben's work include JACK quartet, Wet Ink Ensemble, Bent Frequency, the Resonance Collective, Brightwork Ensemble, and the Indiana University Concert Orchestra. Ben is also pursuing a B.S. in computer science at IU's Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering. Musical influences include a bend towards rock, a constant internet-age need for stimulation, and an enduring infatuation with jazz piano. <span style="color: #1a1a1a;">(</span><a href="http://benrieke.com/"><span style="color: black;">benrieke.com</span></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">)</span></span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Finalist Honorable Mention:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Kian Ravaei</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Bloomington IN</b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Unstoppable </b></span></i></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FVpVjMfWZRVLjHtvu2rz32oDZ_0TLMZm2fXWYnl3uK_nudU7-cfs5x-IEaZIYf6rrM-ltdF00B8WUcXs3TB_rGr1uYlRKEe3V1HxwktwGXWNM7YU8ylabH9ceGQtCKPnYmQ4GW1bvgZazwWZXw5DCV87ibMbU8uPShn1huhxdwPHLQ_CwgruslY3QlKl/s3937/Kian%20Ravaei%20-%20Headshot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1986" data-original-width="3937" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FVpVjMfWZRVLjHtvu2rz32oDZ_0TLMZm2fXWYnl3uK_nudU7-cfs5x-IEaZIYf6rrM-ltdF00B8WUcXs3TB_rGr1uYlRKEe3V1HxwktwGXWNM7YU8ylabH9ceGQtCKPnYmQ4GW1bvgZazwWZXw5DCV87ibMbU8uPShn1huhxdwPHLQ_CwgruslY3QlKl/w640-h322/Kian%20Ravaei%20-%20Headshot.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Kian Ravaei</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Kian Ravaei (b. 1999) composes music that evokes the fantastic and the quotidian, engages with dreams and politics, and leverages music's power over the emotions. Ravaei's works have been inspired by advertisements in early American periodicals, books of etiquette in polite society, Persian poetry, lunar cycles, and a thirteenth century cosmographical treatise. His identity as a second-generation Iranian-American is reflected in his music, often embodying the spirit of both cultures. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree at The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, where he studies with Richard Danielpour. His works may be found at <a href="http://kianravaei.com/"><span style="color: #103cc0;">kianravaei.com</span></a>.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Finalist Honorable Mention:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Chris Shelton </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Newberry FL</b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Just Under the Surface</b></span></i></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FAo3EHSsewW6KDGJUIOp715QBpIULNytzXk3Ib3pJ7Eb9ZNqb00Sne30QuBHuJfDPXg6uVXQVEPbwMcNZthbv2PAO5zpOGf4gK1jCdWHC5ASoCudLG-J89F-0FRLNpHHUcPf0dvlU0_q5BsxXrUvQ_R9i4ZccbF-VWkTAeY15vjn6fPU4lsEVfreeSm6/s750/shelton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FAo3EHSsewW6KDGJUIOp715QBpIULNytzXk3Ib3pJ7Eb9ZNqb00Sne30QuBHuJfDPXg6uVXQVEPbwMcNZthbv2PAO5zpOGf4gK1jCdWHC5ASoCudLG-J89F-0FRLNpHHUcPf0dvlU0_q5BsxXrUvQ_R9i4ZccbF-VWkTAeY15vjn6fPU4lsEVfreeSm6/w426-h640/shelton.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Chris Shelton</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Chris Shelton is an award-winning, internationally performed composer and teacher of guitar and music theory. His music has been performed by ensembles such as: PHACE, the SOLI Chamber Ensemble, and Quinteto Pierrot. He is currently a doctoral student in composition at the University of Florida and has earned a Bachelor of Music degree in composition from Berklee College of Music and a Master of Music degree in Theoretical Studies from New England Conservatory. His composition and theory teachers include: Pozzi Escot, John Bavicchi, Paul Richards, James Sain, Roger Graybill, and Vuk Kulenovic. Additional studies with: Justin Dello Joio, George Tsontakis, and Oliver Weber. He has had works performed in South America, Europe, and throughout the United States. As a founding member of the Boston-based composers’ group </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">Aggregate</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> he has had pieces, ranging from solo piano to string orchestra, performed in and around the Boston area and in New York.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></p></div><div><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p></div><div><br /></div><h2><span style="color: #e06666;">The American Prize in Composition—instrumental chamber music (HIGH SCHOOL division), 2023</span></h2><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The American Prize winner:<br />Elisa Johnson <br />Seattle WA<br /></b><i><b>Divide and Concur</b><br /></i><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVPSSxno11XFIs0dc5iJT6iQg5oeTYB_mh6piQdWzX8yOdf63tvkKGIgwHWupgwK04sa022_1ws51RD6oPKNqNIxvlpkIFlbM-9KPcCn990IaNlnrTGrwAOZi9lCBymkicwKsXRPuKjkT5Jz1FdqGJRNa0NKpB4nPn8Hxr-XcvY80VAt8i3IkKOD0kfGS/s1000/Elisa%20Kain%20Johnson%20Headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVPSSxno11XFIs0dc5iJT6iQg5oeTYB_mh6piQdWzX8yOdf63tvkKGIgwHWupgwK04sa022_1ws51RD6oPKNqNIxvlpkIFlbM-9KPcCn990IaNlnrTGrwAOZi9lCBymkicwKsXRPuKjkT5Jz1FdqGJRNa0NKpB4nPn8Hxr-XcvY80VAt8i3IkKOD0kfGS/w640-h640/Elisa%20Kain%20Johnson%20Headshot.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Elisa Johnson</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Elisa Kain Johnson (b. 2004) is a composer, pianist, and singer-songwriter from Seattle, Washington whose music often explores elements of social justice and identity. She studies classical and jazz piano and musical theater voice. Her music has been performed by several student and professional performers, including the Northwest Girlchoir, the New England Music Camp Chamber Choir and Chorale, The Overlake School Chamber and Concert Choirs, and members of the Seattle Symphony. In 2021, she was selected as one of six national fellows by the New York City based Luna Composition Lab run by Missy Mazzoli and Ellen Reid, in which was mentored by inti figgis-vizueta. She has been honored to receive awards and honorable mentions from The American Prize, the Washington State Music Teachers Association, the National Federation of Music Clubs, and The Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of New York. She studies with The American Prize winner Angelique Poteat.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2nd Place:<br />Haeon Lee <br />New York NY<br /></b><i><b>infinity in paint and ribbons</b> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtPHIY6GtIrdQbdY7VBGSFXvZRkUPhehdwvWmuVPXJjARLAzmcJ50wJQC02YIOgi6f-m62SRnD8Xf9DhKlChdXvBfTLXD913JkR0oZlmMTFbB-4yqnHGu8O1AyYKiDg6v7eVnQDAIQfar3NZL2s-JYKq6iDNxDXrcYhrGSFH375iKK9tXTVqYxkfYv6Sky/s640/HLee%20headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtPHIY6GtIrdQbdY7VBGSFXvZRkUPhehdwvWmuVPXJjARLAzmcJ50wJQC02YIOgi6f-m62SRnD8Xf9DhKlChdXvBfTLXD913JkR0oZlmMTFbB-4yqnHGu8O1AyYKiDg6v7eVnQDAIQfar3NZL2s-JYKq6iDNxDXrcYhrGSFH375iKK9tXTVqYxkfYv6Sky/w480-h640/HLee%20headshot.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Haeon Lee</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Haeon Lee is a composition major at the Juilliard Pre-College in NYC, currently studying composition with Manuel Sosa. As a composer, her priority is to craft stories through music that can be visualized in the listener’s mind. Her work has been recognized by numerous awards including an honorable mention at the ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Award, 1st place nationally at the NFMC Junior Composers Award, and 1st place at the New York MTNA. She has also been playing the piano since age 4, has performed at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, DiMenna Center, Ernst C. Stiefel Concert Hall.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3rd Place:<br />Abigail Grace Harris<br />Kew Gardens NY<br /><i>Chlorophyllament</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjksnASNqsebZnZ9r95zJjSVXpoAN_5EB1ln-gxZvgtYc2X9xiNxnLyXyE2rT3EbpIbEAn0SO-_1GCFKmianZVpETP3BfmevUm4JLbOle1QVHtI-wFJwEDGikNACm3rWxsfbBs6A2nbDVueDY3GOIhvXCldGJKyx_dT5f97EBKrgGmeMr9LoU2yzW-uyrSi/s599/abbyharrisphoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjksnASNqsebZnZ9r95zJjSVXpoAN_5EB1ln-gxZvgtYc2X9xiNxnLyXyE2rT3EbpIbEAn0SO-_1GCFKmianZVpETP3BfmevUm4JLbOle1QVHtI-wFJwEDGikNACm3rWxsfbBs6A2nbDVueDY3GOIhvXCldGJKyx_dT5f97EBKrgGmeMr9LoU2yzW-uyrSi/w428-h640/abbyharrisphoto.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Abigail Grace Harris</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Abby Harris is a seventeen year old composer and pianist based in New York City. She has been composing music since she was eight years old. She presently studies music composition with Ricardo Zohn-Muldoon, and piano with Yu-Pin Hsu. Since 2018, she also has been studying with Kevin James at the American Composers Orchestra’s composition program. Her music has earned recognition from Luna Composition Lab, MATA, Jr., NFMC, Robert Avalon, and others.<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"> </span></span>Abby’s chamber work “Chlorophyllament” was performed at the American Composers Orchestra Fall Gala this year. She is a senior in high school.<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Finalist Honorable Mention:<br />Rachael Kim <br />Sammamish WA<br /><i>Altair and Vega </i></b><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWMOpyc5jX9eRy0TIu74V5sCNW4L5n5Qvslkmig-teu3qT8CwHmBx8_NhJGOT56VtQTZ_nLSw_5u7IX0Rj06KN3nPRuDLJhoqrGMfRtpJjGBrACZSJ_bxJqBez4cmUMQW9fn9o1viRn1lDvBr4SYGg8qoJXXzq3MOFv-8Tbx5mDVWCYCghIuHFVf8fzxL/s1632/Rachael%20Kim's%20Photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1632" data-original-width="1088" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWMOpyc5jX9eRy0TIu74V5sCNW4L5n5Qvslkmig-teu3qT8CwHmBx8_NhJGOT56VtQTZ_nLSw_5u7IX0Rj06KN3nPRuDLJhoqrGMfRtpJjGBrACZSJ_bxJqBez4cmUMQW9fn9o1viRn1lDvBr4SYGg8qoJXXzq3MOFv-8Tbx5mDVWCYCghIuHFVf8fzxL/w426-h640/Rachael%20Kim's%20Photo.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Rachael Kim</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Rachael Kim is 16 years old and a resident of Sammamish, WA. She started violin and piano when she was 5 years old and began studying music composition under Mrs. Sharon Van Valin since 2017. She has won numerous awards in composition including the 2018 NFMC National winner, 2019 WSMTA The Marsha Wright Commissioned Sonata Award, 2020 MTNA WA State winner, 2021 The American Prize finalist receiving "Career Encourage" citation, 2022 Golden Key International Composition Competition 3rd</span><span style="background-color: white;"> diploma, 2022 NYCC Finalist, 2022 Guild International Piano Composition Competition winner, 2022 NFMC State/West Regional winner. </span>Always infusing her own music with the inspiration that she receives, Rachael strives to create original pieces that resonate deep within. <span style="background-color: white;">When she’s not creating music, she loves to read, crochet, and hang out with her friends.</span> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><i>*** </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Congratulations!</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div>davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10142661857434106176noreply@blogger.com0Danbury, CT, USA41.394817 -73.454011113.084583163821158 -108.6102611 69.705050836178856 -38.2977611tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903769510370841145.post-86680671468484117462023-11-17T08:41:00.003-05:002023-11-17T08:41:49.673-05:00 The American Prize Update: 11/17/23<p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJJWnwA8MEP0MSF6F-WNY0SuvB-kkdXlgTSGcRfSsodTBlSgUAdrlMzAUAo3ReAzBaMraI_6vviV-Gy0J_5i06tCzg69cdZIKrbVRl4tsnvMxPDWX2MMfh3hMVz4Sva-24pLfSsJqHvqX7w6Y5ZorZ5SEL7dSFp9hkniLYHxxuPBialpZkSSa_sLIKEPy/s925/sealonblack.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="925" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJJWnwA8MEP0MSF6F-WNY0SuvB-kkdXlgTSGcRfSsodTBlSgUAdrlMzAUAo3ReAzBaMraI_6vviV-Gy0J_5i06tCzg69cdZIKrbVRl4tsnvMxPDWX2MMfh3hMVz4Sva-24pLfSsJqHvqX7w6Y5ZorZ5SEL7dSFp9hkniLYHxxuPBialpZkSSa_sLIKEPy/s320/sealonblack.png" width="320" /></a></div>2023 WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT:<p></p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Winners and runners-up: </span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>The American Prize in Composition (instrumental chamber music), 2023</b></span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Tue Nov 21, 5pm on our blog</span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="http://theamericanprize.blogspot.com/"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">http://theamericanprize.blogspot.com/</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Awards and certificates are now being prepared for 2023 laureates. All voice and piano packages have been sent. (If your address has changed since you applied, please send us the information by putting “NEW ADDRESS” in the subject line of an email to us at <a href="mailto:theamericanprize@gmail.com">theamericanprize@gmail.com</a>.)</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The American Prize office will be closed from Wednesday, November 22 until Monday, November 27 in recognition of the Thanksgiving Holiday.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Questions? <a href="mailto:theamericanprize@gmail.com">theamericanprize@gmail.com</a>. Many thanks.</span>davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10142661857434106176noreply@blogger.com0Danbury, CT, USA41.394817 -73.454011113.084583163821158 -108.6102611 69.705050836178856 -38.2977611tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903769510370841145.post-54643938315946411092023-11-15T17:00:00.002-05:002023-11-15T17:00:00.131-05:00National winners: ORCHESTRAS, 2023<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9C0ehxUrjVO1pbmUXa8nCwb3rKuaK7Lney4L8f_sxbjiXEtoWaWT9Ea7JAgtOWQWvPMpL2P6VPQHGYWamVk88bF181LjqKgCI6EAFj-1QBrt3hHIy1mRf4JBymRJGi_GIRmmiMxv-zNE/s1600/orch.jpeg" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9C0ehxUrjVO1pbmUXa8nCwb3rKuaK7Lney4L8f_sxbjiXEtoWaWT9Ea7JAgtOWQWvPMpL2P6VPQHGYWamVk88bF181LjqKgCI6EAFj-1QBrt3hHIy1mRf4JBymRJGi_GIRmmiMxv-zNE/s1600/orch.jpeg" width="160" /></a><b>The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts,</b> David (Volosin) Katz, founder and chief judge, is honored to announce NATIONAL winners and runners-up of The American Prize in Orchestral Performance, 2023. Congratulations! Questions, or to make us aware of any misprints in the listings below, please email: <a href="mailto:theamericanprize@gmail.com" target="_blank">theamericanprize@gmail.com </a></p><p><span><b>The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts</b> is the nation's most comprehensive series of contests in the performing arts. The American Prize is unique in scope and structure, designed to recognize and reward the best performing artists, directors, ensembles and composers in the United States at professional, college/university, community and high school levels, based on submitted recordings. Now in its thirteenth year, <span>The American Prize was founded in 2010 and is awarded annually in many areas of the performing arts. Thousands of artists from all fifty states have derived benefit from their participation in the contests of The American Prize, </span>representing literally hundreds of communities and arts organizations across the nation.<span> </span><span> </span>(<a href="http://theamericanprize.org">http://theamericanprize.org</a>)</span></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #e06666;">The American Prize in Orchestral Performance (professional division), 2023</span></h2><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">The American Prize winner: <br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kevin Sutterlin<br /></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Appleton WI </b> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuBmn-Di1awpX79JRo947bs170rdvoTzxORD6cS8s7X9dx7B3E5_1dpnZ2JLqQ0_mA6Kugw_upElY7rXg27UOFxOTMeRJr9Ji0PQa5d2AreASV8J41sCfmQKXhmBIakYETqUwHdlCXMyf1bbmsernvKPZvMG9x401DIwOLHjKpd_1JwB6CTrpf2VG4ll7q/s1000/fvso-spring-2022-014-print24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuBmn-Di1awpX79JRo947bs170rdvoTzxORD6cS8s7X9dx7B3E5_1dpnZ2JLqQ0_mA6Kugw_upElY7rXg27UOFxOTMeRJr9Ji0PQa5d2AreASV8J41sCfmQKXhmBIakYETqUwHdlCXMyf1bbmsernvKPZvMG9x401DIwOLHjKpd_1JwB6CTrpf2VG4ll7q/w640-h426/fvso-spring-2022-014-print24.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra</b></td></tr></tbody></table>The Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra, established in 1966, is a regional professional orchestra that enriches and nurtures the human spirit through inclusive symphonic music and education programming. They seek to build bridges of accessibility to orchestral music to make a positive impact on the lives of everyone in their community. The orchestra is made up of 75 local and regional musicians and performs at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, as well as many locations in the Fox Valley region. FVSO also has many outreach programs, including ongoing weekly and monthly work with special needs adults and students, assisted living facilities, and elementary, middle and high schools. Their dedication to education is shown with their three Youth Orchestras supporting over 100 area music students.<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">2nd Place:<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Baltimore Chamber Orchestra<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Markand Thakar<br /></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Baltimore MD </b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySLf3Ic2xd3SHw56JvyLnJ-LJcotBhGn4AydEoD_B-DPM35pfPaavMOotUxvxiY82bQW1Ao0BkbE6U1ME4Jr_V0rSzmJwmWmYxjau735JR5DmEQ8N7pRtadKLJ02vfbFeDGCrwfAKn-DJQwVYG2P_B9jrGiwXdLfD8dvziHmPlGEUIhJIpTluu3y2iVjv/s3710/Baltimore%20Chamber%20Orchestra%20photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1589" data-original-width="3710" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySLf3Ic2xd3SHw56JvyLnJ-LJcotBhGn4AydEoD_B-DPM35pfPaavMOotUxvxiY82bQW1Ao0BkbE6U1ME4Jr_V0rSzmJwmWmYxjau735JR5DmEQ8N7pRtadKLJ02vfbFeDGCrwfAKn-DJQwVYG2P_B9jrGiwXdLfD8dvziHmPlGEUIhJIpTluu3y2iVjv/w640-h274/Baltimore%20Chamber%20Orchestra%20photo.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Baltimore Chamber Orchestra</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Baltimore Chamber Orchestra [<a href="http://thebco.org/">thebco.org</a>] is one of the East Coast’s premiere small orchestras. Our superb musicians have performed under the direction of Music Director Markand Thakar since 2004. With a New York performance praised by the New York Times for its “great warmth and substance,” other highlights include a five-concert tour of China. BCO’s commercial recordings include music by Classical Era masters Stamitz, Pleyel, and Hoffmeister, plus a disc of works by composer-in-residence Jonathan Leshnoff, awarded Best of the Best of Naxos. With BCO Maestro Thakar leads two annual conductor training programs that attract participants from across North American and around the globe.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">3rd Place:<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">McKinney Philharmonic Orchestra<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jason Lim<br /></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Denton TX</b> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1yGgFHqs8qtQm0PC1jnv54L3CM5oeBiTrGdmVup2saiz9jKyePRUsI2qxA9z1UjmPRAEI2h6xXDbCgl87KHU7iPtybXatZeH033oHlSzJheTC5oFqlVgQ8I7aZJz4WHJhKKbKQGaiTtn-TT5gJ2QmnbQbf-a6YmhUoKvkI3Dh5GQo5hwy34370O_xPQ3/s3042/lim.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="3042" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1yGgFHqs8qtQm0PC1jnv54L3CM5oeBiTrGdmVup2saiz9jKyePRUsI2qxA9z1UjmPRAEI2h6xXDbCgl87KHU7iPtybXatZeH033oHlSzJheTC5oFqlVgQ8I7aZJz4WHJhKKbKQGaiTtn-TT5gJ2QmnbQbf-a6YmhUoKvkI3Dh5GQo5hwy34370O_xPQ3/w640-h190/lim.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">McKinney Philharmonic Orchestra</b></td></tr></tbody></table>The McKinney Philharmonic Orchestra was founded by Artistic Director Jason Lim as the Odysseus Chamber Orchestra in May 2012 in Denton, Texas. The orchestra consists of professional classical musicians from the Dallas/Fort Worth area dedicated to building a strong community through music and the arts. Its successful inaugural performance in 2012 featured local soloists such as Christopher Deane, Professor of Percussion at the University of North Texas. Soon after, Artistic Director, Jason Lim, commissioned the world premiere of “Breathe” by Brad Robin. In 2019 the orchestra performed the US premier of Musica Con Cello, by Pavel Karmanov with Principal Cellist, Tess Crowther as soloist. The orchestra then embarked on innovative collaborations such as: staging a full ballet performance of Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf” with the Denton City Contemporary Ballet; the North Texas premiere performance of Igor Stravinsky’s “A Soldier’s Tale” with ae:mp Amity Perry and Company; teaming with world renowned double bassist Jeff Bradetich to feature the Tango music of Astor Piazzolla; and a collaboration with legendary guitarist Andy Timmons. In 2018, the orchestra shared the stage with Grammy Award winning Polka band, Brave Combo! Today the McKinney Philharmonic has expanded its concert season, performing up to seven subscription concerts, which includes series that is innovative and diverse including Pops, Family, Chamber Music, Recital and Classical. The programming of the McKinney Philharmonic has reached national recognition with Artistic Director, Jason Lim winning the The 2021 American Prize in Orchestral Programming / Vytautas Marijosius Memorial Award—professional division. <br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Finalist Honorable Mention:<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Oconomowoc Chamber Orchestra <br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Roberta Carpenter<br /></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Oconomowoc WI </b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiy1LXQoFBY32hJ9bsZK4dxTIKEtmdbYQ8BYHgySdOuFk_5POxe8GriJUcgeaHrh-Xi17qEPQbcGbi2DzjTRPvYVn4196_abyfnoFTa3BxWhDyR40zt_S8RqmBVnL6O5dj0xa3CUohb08BeqAifGNEMU6QR7Hi8nLaCdS8FjY_24ZIkGt3NzPHJRiQK84s/s1120/roberta.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1120" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiy1LXQoFBY32hJ9bsZK4dxTIKEtmdbYQ8BYHgySdOuFk_5POxe8GriJUcgeaHrh-Xi17qEPQbcGbi2DzjTRPvYVn4196_abyfnoFTa3BxWhDyR40zt_S8RqmBVnL6O5dj0xa3CUohb08BeqAifGNEMU6QR7Hi8nLaCdS8FjY_24ZIkGt3NzPHJRiQK84s/w640-h358/roberta.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Oconomowoc Chamber Orchestra</b></td></tr></tbody></table>In its 12th Season, the Oconomowoc Chamber Orchestra (OCO) brings together high caliber musicians to perform engaging concerts and commissions music depicting its community. Under Music Director and Conductor Roberta Carpenter, the OCO published 60+ performance and outreach videos. In its 2022 Memorial Day Weekend Concert the OCO celebrated Americana tunes and the sport of baseball - welcoming a new team and their stadium to our town. The OCO honored a local veteran for his service and awarded a local community foundation with its Chatfield Award to recognize its vision and support for the Arts. The OCO enriches local heritage by maintaining the visibility of existing musical pieces, serving as a recognizable cultural landmark, and inspiring and enhancing lives, through music education and performance. <a href="http://www.oconchamberorch.org/">www.oconchamberorch.org</a> <a href="https://facebook.com/OconOrch">facebook.com/OconOrch</a>.</span></div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><div><h2><span style="color: #e06666;">The American Prize in Orchestral Performance (college/university division—larger program), 2023</span></h2><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The American Prize winner:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>University of Tennessee Symphony Orchestra</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>James Fellenbaum </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Knoxville TN </b></span></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4KinOwoskHC99-4afPKLl74-GYTUH_g7zjHNUP7zAc8irbZAC9cWealXM7GJ8aj72uek6AOrVs752ZNy70KAJIVWXwNOocgttShlZgVWrxpI96kdAQ07YwjRdry2kjItuPrLmgCpzrBUtteXzApJbG691ndcndkVi3FX_dPMXCttW54q2rsYdDEKtiIjW/s5263/Fellenbaum-UTSO-ORCH22-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3509" data-original-width="5263" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4KinOwoskHC99-4afPKLl74-GYTUH_g7zjHNUP7zAc8irbZAC9cWealXM7GJ8aj72uek6AOrVs752ZNy70KAJIVWXwNOocgttShlZgVWrxpI96kdAQ07YwjRdry2kjItuPrLmgCpzrBUtteXzApJbG691ndcndkVi3FX_dPMXCttW54q2rsYdDEKtiIjW/w640-h426/Fellenbaum-UTSO-ORCH22-23.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">University of Tennessee Symphony Orchestra</b></td></tr></tbody></table>The University of Tennessee Symphony Orchestra is one of the most prominent collegiate orchestral ensembles in the state of Tennessee. The UTSO presents several performances each academic year, performing repertoire that spans from the Baroque era to the present, featuring faculty soloists as well as national and international guest artists. The orchestra has performed at regional and state conferences, and has performed on tours. The UTSO hosts Composer Reading Sessions for composition students to read and record new works, and is the accompanying ensemble for the School of Music’s annual Concerto Competition. The UTSO is part of the Orchestra Program, which includes a Chamber Orchestra, an Opera Orchestra that performs in collaboration with UT Opera Theatre productions, and a Contemporary Music Ensemble, dedicated to repertoire composed after 1950 with an emphasis on living composers. The University of Tennessee Symphony Orchestra is conducted by James Fellenbaum, Director of Orchestras.</span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2nd Place (there was a tie):</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Rutgers Symphony Orchestra</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Michael Avagliano</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>New Brunswick NJ </b></span></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6y7ixtFYrSYKmT9Y8As61yPqAPt0hVHK2HYyhpbA0iZgllt-n1XgNxyxCBh4B_YIVrn15Kv0CmNnmbT0c6S_i_gH_w1rmOVSNRfDvPg95EugBRFFh4R5ngNZtp3d4bx1kLiO1B5A3lbaXJRk5o5jkFoAi8e2lVPNI8YCn4RNp0KG57otT1915HZBgNvTZ/s2048/RSO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6y7ixtFYrSYKmT9Y8As61yPqAPt0hVHK2HYyhpbA0iZgllt-n1XgNxyxCBh4B_YIVrn15Kv0CmNnmbT0c6S_i_gH_w1rmOVSNRfDvPg95EugBRFFh4R5ngNZtp3d4bx1kLiO1B5A3lbaXJRk5o5jkFoAi8e2lVPNI8YCn4RNp0KG57otT1915HZBgNvTZ/w640-h426/RSO.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Rutgers Symphony Orchestra</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Rutgers Symphony Orchestra (RSO) is composed of musicians enrolled in the undergraduate and graduate music programs at the Mason Gross School of the Arts. Its annual concert season includes six symphonic programs, one main-stage opera, and two popular programs. RSO aims to prepare students for professional careers as orchestral musicians by tackling major symphonic repertoire. In recent seasons, that has included the Mahler, Strauss, Beethoven, and Brahms symphonic cycles. The orchestra hosts student composition readings and recordings every season. In addition, its annual concerto competition provides winners solo performance opportunities the following season. The flagship ensemble of the Mason Gross instrumental program, RSO has performed at Carnegie Hall, David Geffen Hall, New York’s Symphony Space, and New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC). RSO has recorded on the Naxos label. Its concerts are broadcast nationally on WWFM, 89.1.</span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2nd Place (there was a tie):</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Purdue Philharmonic Orchestra</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Adam Bodony</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;">West Lafayette</span> IN </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8UYrXtINzro2Vnwi3QXe431hOn3WzBOuOWwax2MCNWTF51sx6F1PDMFy42Sp9yBuB8SMLVAXkIMr205WuAjqkBQ_1jmakU91BoXQDtA0zQsD5e4n7IzeZuXYg-MK-EIciDRo3E8u5p0BSQ6kq1pFI7ss1nCYSKgaOhWJR-ihglfjinbFVkzzMEbXCKF3T/s640/Purdue%20Philharmonic%20Orchestra%20Pic-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="640" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8UYrXtINzro2Vnwi3QXe431hOn3WzBOuOWwax2MCNWTF51sx6F1PDMFy42Sp9yBuB8SMLVAXkIMr205WuAjqkBQ_1jmakU91BoXQDtA0zQsD5e4n7IzeZuXYg-MK-EIciDRo3E8u5p0BSQ6kq1pFI7ss1nCYSKgaOhWJR-ihglfjinbFVkzzMEbXCKF3T/w640-h368/Purdue%20Philharmonic%20Orchestra%20Pic-2.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Purdue Philharmonic Orchestra</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Established in 1971, the Purdue orchestra program has grown from a single 60 member-group to four large ensembles: Philharmonic Orchestra; Symphony Orchestra; Concert Orchestra; and University Orchestra. Under the direction of Assistant Professor Adam Bodony, the orchestra program is a thriving part of Purdue University Bands and Orchestras, which serves approximately 1,200 student musicians, all of which are non-music majors. The Philharmonic Orchestra is Purdue’s flagship orchestra, comprised of approximately 90 highly-skilled musicians from all over the world, with members ranging from undergraduate to post-graduate. Purdue orchestras have completed several European tours over the last decade as part of the university’s study abroad program, including trips to Spain, Greece, Austria, and Czechia. Most recently, Purdue orchestras have also performed special concerts for the Indiana Music Education Association at its annual convention, have collaborated with the Purdue Musical Organizations in performances at the Hilbert Circle Theatre, and have performed at the Palladium in Carmel, Indiana in partnership with local public schools. The Purdue Philharmonic is the proud winner of the 2021 American Prize for best collegiate orchestra (large university division).</p></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div><br /></div><div><b>3rd Place:</b></div><div><b>Baylor Symphony Orchestra </b></div><div><b>Stephen Heyde </b></div><div><b>Waco TX</b> </div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdy-I1mMhKluXVuRXcBP6T7kDCoLyuBf5GUCLm37hGmUZoDMx0HEBaXt21m3XbVx5DPb-tYdNHvr8zwghLgdJP3_N5SkDreO6yjCu0R5GujJto1pE8uBAGG4AwKd93UmVCsNqxOR6xviQNpgI7pzvksqsIeuk72wVgIqfyhCVKwzXjVU-fXZgw_S5xxj1/s1024/baylor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdy-I1mMhKluXVuRXcBP6T7kDCoLyuBf5GUCLm37hGmUZoDMx0HEBaXt21m3XbVx5DPb-tYdNHvr8zwghLgdJP3_N5SkDreO6yjCu0R5GujJto1pE8uBAGG4AwKd93UmVCsNqxOR6xviQNpgI7pzvksqsIeuk72wVgIqfyhCVKwzXjVU-fXZgw_S5xxj1/w640-h320/baylor.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Baylor Symphony Orchestra</b></td></tr></tbody></table>The 90 students of the Baylor Symphony annually present six concerts of standard repertoire, opera productions, concerto accompaniments, new music readings, choral collaborations and children's concerts which reach 6000 area schoolchildren. The Symphony has appeared at the T.M.E.A. Convention nine times, at Piccolo Spoleto and national conventions of A.S.T.A and CODA and recorded a PBS Special seen by six million viewers. The BSO has collaborated with many distinguished American performers including Van Cliburn, Joseph Gingold, Robert Shaw, Corey Cerovsek, Jacob Druckman, Lorin Hollander, Roberto Diaz, Andrew Balio and Peter Schickele among others, taken international tours of Costa Rica (2004) and Belgium (2010) and has won the prestigious American Prize five times. Former members of the BSO have won positions in many professional orchestras including New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Seattle, Cincinnati and Fort Worth among others. After 38 years under the direction of Stephen Heyde, the Baylor Symphony will be under the leadership of Maestro Miguel Harth-Bedoya beginning in the fall of 2022.</p></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Finalist Honorable Mention:</b></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>James Madison University Symphony Orchestra</b></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Foster Beyers</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Harrisonburg VA </b></span></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEUQrAoxwA5g_1wL1BI0U-mT2ZMlZlbpDjJGTRfbFhFSOrKEGeStl2NKPHAX8S-2TMS-CNuorRzED_BDZrf5erGji0rZJiEJrHv9Q2vTEP7RD0LqXOYLn3IsrYkFBC7d8auT3BVJT_0rIkIu9oL7COuZJCELd6srd3kCjzNFJJtvBvgUqqQ53tUXXDkONM/s5624/JMU%20Symphony%20Orchestra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3749" data-original-width="5624" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEUQrAoxwA5g_1wL1BI0U-mT2ZMlZlbpDjJGTRfbFhFSOrKEGeStl2NKPHAX8S-2TMS-CNuorRzED_BDZrf5erGji0rZJiEJrHv9Q2vTEP7RD0LqXOYLn3IsrYkFBC7d8auT3BVJT_0rIkIu9oL7COuZJCELd6srd3kCjzNFJJtvBvgUqqQ53tUXXDkONM/w640-h426/JMU%20Symphony%20Orchestra.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">James Madison University Symphony Orchestra</b></td></tr></tbody></table>The JMU Symphony is the premier orchestra within the School of Music at James Madison University. Membership is open, through the audition process, to all JMU students who attend the University. String sections include music majors, music minors, as well as other/non-major students. Wind, Brass and Percussion sections are made up of some of the School of Music's top music majors. This select group of 70-80 musicians presents approximately seven to ten performances during each academic year. Music programmed is challenging, and covers a broad range of time periods and nationalistic styles. The JMU Symphony has made numerous appearances at VMEA, Virginia’s state Music Conference and has participated in conjunction with Carnegie Hall (NY) in their “LinkUp” Youth Concert series. Major works recently performed include: Stravinsky’s Petrushka, Respighi’s Pines of Rome, and Mahler’s Symphony No. 2.</span></p></div><div><br /></div><div><h2><span style="color: #e06666;">The American Prize in Orchestral Performance (college/university division—smaller program), 2023</span></h2></div><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The American Prize winner:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Cornell University Symphony Orchestra & Chamber Orchestra</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Michelle Di Russo </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Ithaca, NY </b> </span></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBNGy7kVhc8-cEZXTJ_JBPu_5rtDezFy91EwGKkHyegR4Oqjhr4hEpfFQgl80R3hNJHhT7kV0yr2XrWo5oDO-axp5bxNl6NOgQ7KbB0hXv4kqN431P4d5gcIEhFW87KIRfS2zXeMSm-sf_i7exgtHU8odjPLdq14QcsHge8UoWh84l_ThpENpJjKn2JKs/s7952/Cornell%20Symphony%20Orchestra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5304" data-original-width="7952" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBNGy7kVhc8-cEZXTJ_JBPu_5rtDezFy91EwGKkHyegR4Oqjhr4hEpfFQgl80R3hNJHhT7kV0yr2XrWo5oDO-axp5bxNl6NOgQ7KbB0hXv4kqN431P4d5gcIEhFW87KIRfS2zXeMSm-sf_i7exgtHU8odjPLdq14QcsHge8UoWh84l_ThpENpJjKn2JKs/w640-h426/Cornell%20Symphony%20Orchestra.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Cornell University Symphony Orchestra</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Founded in 1871 as the “University Orchestra,” the Cornell Orchestras is one of the oldest college orchestras in the country. Made of approximately 100 young musicians, most members are non-music majors dedicated to a tradition of symphonic performance. The Cornell Orchestras tour both domestically and internationally; recent destinations have included Taiwan, Argentina, Ireland, Puerto Rico, and Germany, and recent overseas partners have included the Taipei Symphony Orchestra, the Neuquen Symphony Orchestra, and the Royal Irish Academy of Music. Guest conductors have included the late Leon Fleisher, Johannes Schlaefli, and Larry Rachleff. Recent collaborators include Roberto Sierra, the late Steven Stucky, and Wynton Marsalis. The orchestras present premieres and commissions of new music each season, and has been distinguished with six awards in seven years with the ASCAP prizes in the Collegiate Division by the League of American Orchestras, most recently in the 2017-18 season. Visit them at <a href="https://cuorchestra.org/">https://cuorchestra.org</a>.</span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2nd Place:</b></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Concordia University Ann Arbor Orchestra </b></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>William M. Perrine </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Ann Arbor MI </b></span></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxr7C4FM2oXOXncLdVuvKLx1yvUC-Tjys4enkNT497Hankyq90Ep2bgL-nTtp1tZ5XHqRGV5fGXYbYCoaSY-PeMqHCOXxBE5rtNmHl-6B1yuV2HedOeUHnkj2kyYWuHGs7KOdy5Izo50gp3LYoKSd4tWqIaup6iCUyDgCWJ8618Eok5qq7850v9PPBXP-/s936/concordia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="936" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxr7C4FM2oXOXncLdVuvKLx1yvUC-Tjys4enkNT497Hankyq90Ep2bgL-nTtp1tZ5XHqRGV5fGXYbYCoaSY-PeMqHCOXxBE5rtNmHl-6B1yuV2HedOeUHnkj2kyYWuHGs7KOdy5Izo50gp3LYoKSd4tWqIaup6iCUyDgCWJ8618Eok5qq7850v9PPBXP-/w640-h426/concordia.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Concordia University Ann Arbor Orchestra</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Under the direction of Dr. William Perrine, the Concordia University Ann Arbor Orchestra is an auditioned group of musicians that performs two full concert programs each semester. Members include current CUAA students, guest and dual enrollment students from the community, and faculty brought in for concerts. The orchestra’s repertoire includes both the masterworks of the classical repertoire, as well as more contemporary works. The orchestra has recently performed symphonies and concertos by Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven as well as orchestral works by Handel, Bach, Dvorak, Tchaikovsky, and others. Recent premieres have included the orchestral versions of Kevin Walczyk’s Eloi Eloi and Katherine Bergman’s Superior. Concordia University Ann Arbor (CUAA) is a private, liberal arts university in Ann Arbor, Michigan affiliated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. More information can be found at our website, <a href="http://www.cuaa.edu/music">www.cuaa.edu/music</a>.</span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3rd Place:</b></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Grove City College Symphony Orchestra<i> </i></b></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Jeffrey Tedford </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Grove City PA </b></span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQLtbm3yCJd12VXDtCbLQAnVzvwDo5UcUUD_zinsH6Ul2sAT7bcOgN3dcZbYxvRm2VHPFht7ZdVbHMLQhfawndwLN8cUFtm3GTA7gw2GFinsiwvLdvPz4WFhhxjKyfvzIDSHZksJJpb2UrwZC1tL0Bq8CUJxa8KUK0ol27_wAXhvRlc2Z18QsrZKFmVW9t/s5184/Grove%20City%20College%20Orchestra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQLtbm3yCJd12VXDtCbLQAnVzvwDo5UcUUD_zinsH6Ul2sAT7bcOgN3dcZbYxvRm2VHPFht7ZdVbHMLQhfawndwLN8cUFtm3GTA7gw2GFinsiwvLdvPz4WFhhxjKyfvzIDSHZksJJpb2UrwZC1tL0Bq8CUJxa8KUK0ol27_wAXhvRlc2Z18QsrZKFmVW9t/w640-h426/Grove%20City%20College%20Orchestra.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: left;">Grove City College Symphony Orchestra</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Dr. Jeffrey Tedford is the Chair of the Department of Music at <span class="il">Grove</span> <span class="il">City</span> College where he also serves as the Director of Orchestral Activities. He conducts the Symphony and Chamber Orchestras and teaches a pedagogy and conducting courses. His orchestras have performed at state and national conferences and have produced three recordings available on Spotify, Apple Music, and other streaming platforms.<u> </u>In addition to his work at <span class="il">Grove</span> <span class="il">City</span> College, Dr. Tedford is the Past-President of the Pennsylvania-Delaware String Teachers Association (PADESTA) and was the organization’s Orchestra Director of the Year in 2017. From 2003-2011 he was the Director of Orchestras at Williamsport Area High School where he conducted the Millionaire Strolling Strings and was the 2010-2011 WAHS Teacher of the Year. The <span class="il">Grove</span> <span class="il">City</span> College Orchestra program is comprised of the Symphonic Orchestra and the Chamber Orchestra. These orchestras include students from over 40 degree programs. <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.gcc.edu/music&source=gmail&ust=1700152262302000&usg=AOvVaw1SyxOa9PQKJJSXTh2YT6mi" href="http://www.gcc.edu/music" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.gcc.edu/music</a> <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.jeffreytedford.com&source=gmail&ust=1700152262302000&usg=AOvVaw2OeD8JDl6oblyb9wQ7Y_vf" href="http://www.jeffreytedford.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.jeffreytedford.com</a></span></p></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="font-style: italic;"><h2 style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #e06666;">The American Prize in Orchestral Performance (community division), 2023</span></h2></div><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The American Prize winner:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Summerville Orchestra</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Wojciech Milewski </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Summerville SC </b></span></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5YChfuIM25hZer7qJHCaLeYShd-9bZs9xiG_TWPX0sNrbl7Ziq5tmY58HhwCmEuIXIimbt6dxcU6GBPgGFdNkyd4gMhxeZ9DuAO9fK8xegSVy6cOtd0iM7Fk3-sdCU9FT0OGrlyjiXZnj4JnkRZuaPis43Q2wBfpm-rg2njP6rwNwUw1MU53jvFavvU3o/s6960/Summerville%20Orchestra-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5YChfuIM25hZer7qJHCaLeYShd-9bZs9xiG_TWPX0sNrbl7Ziq5tmY58HhwCmEuIXIimbt6dxcU6GBPgGFdNkyd4gMhxeZ9DuAO9fK8xegSVy6cOtd0iM7Fk3-sdCU9FT0OGrlyjiXZnj4JnkRZuaPis43Q2wBfpm-rg2njP6rwNwUw1MU53jvFavvU3o/w640-h426/Summerville%20Orchestra-2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Summerville Orchestra</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Serving the Lowcountry of South Carolina, the Summerville Orchestra is the epitome of community serving community. Originally founded in 2003 by a small group of musicians who wanted to play for the pure joy of it, the Summerville Orchestra has transformed into one of the largest community orchestras in the nation, programming full-scale professional repertoire while also being a “rogue traditionalist” by adding newer works, different works, and creating both a classical and non-classical music experience at each concert. Directed by Wojciech Milewski, the orchestra has blossomed into transforming the community it serves by adding five large concert performances, more than ten chamber performances, a ten-part adult educational series titled “Music Chats with Wojciech,” a podcast, live-streaming opportunities, and beginning in 2022 a new youth orchestra. For more information about the orchestra, check out <a href="http://SummervilleOrchestra.org">SummervilleOrchestra.org</a>.</span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2nd Place (there was a tie):</b></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Waynesboro Symphony Orchestra </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Peter Wilson </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Waynesboro VA </b></span></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRkjHoRtPBvmXY0CQMmmfHjW54q4IbEfnOAebw0R831LRMG3GJkbYq-9JfCUA6hCg5BaO3HM0XoAtw2TK1WIdljVDC7g7WEs9wJnTEnr_2XpaMgT6VLMNP9ESm8XWXD2u2eQWEBnq85h9-gdrb0MQUmPq4y6ScdQ3CCLkzNGb0ZugrQ1a5eL4regAYRShf/s1280/Waynesboro%20Symphony%20Orchestra%20-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="1280" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRkjHoRtPBvmXY0CQMmmfHjW54q4IbEfnOAebw0R831LRMG3GJkbYq-9JfCUA6hCg5BaO3HM0XoAtw2TK1WIdljVDC7g7WEs9wJnTEnr_2XpaMgT6VLMNP9ESm8XWXD2u2eQWEBnq85h9-gdrb0MQUmPq4y6ScdQ3CCLkzNGb0ZugrQ1a5eL4regAYRShf/w640-h428/Waynesboro%20Symphony%20Orchestra%20-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Waynesboro Symphony Orchestra</b></td></tr></tbody></table>The Waynesboro Symphony Orchestra (WSO) was founded in 1996 as the Waynesboro Community Orchestra under the baton of Eric Stassen. During the final concert of the 2005-06 season, which celebrated the orchestra’s 10th anniversary, the organization officially adopted its current name. In 2006, Jean Montès succeeded Mr. Stassen, leading the ensemble for a single season. In May 2007, Peter Wilson was appointed the Symphony’s 3rd Music Director. Under Dr. Wilson’s leadership, the WSO has, several times, been recognized by The American Prize, including the award, “Best Community Orchestra” in the 2019-2020 season for a performance of the Mahler Symphony No. 1. Highlights from recent seasons include Saint-Saëns’ 3rd “Organ” Symphony and Beethoven’s Triple Concerto. In addition, the orchestra regularly collaborates with professional soloists while remaining committed to the WSO String School, which provides free violins and weekly lessons for Boys and Girls Club youths. The organization recently completed its 25th Season. </span></p></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2nd Place (there was a tie):</b></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Texas Medical Center Orchestra </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Libi Lebel </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Bellaire TX </b> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jBYakP5K9S1YP-f3u2PolwnoJCBa770apGgd1OpFmQVL2H4nyKvH7o01PdM2EwVy8V_M0Asgtd1ij9_4Ot7RQvfiqkXyJzT5p96SGexIia3pcnqZmMtNX2cRngyEbFU_YuQD4GlggWbzzaZqNbtJax7QQMhdz0jFHO5XJZlPNlfxm7ac5Qz_K2UJYHvc/s7217/TMCO%20entire%20orchestra%20photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5160" data-original-width="7217" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jBYakP5K9S1YP-f3u2PolwnoJCBa770apGgd1OpFmQVL2H4nyKvH7o01PdM2EwVy8V_M0Asgtd1ij9_4Ot7RQvfiqkXyJzT5p96SGexIia3pcnqZmMtNX2cRngyEbFU_YuQD4GlggWbzzaZqNbtJax7QQMhdz0jFHO5XJZlPNlfxm7ac5Qz_K2UJYHvc/w640-h458/TMCO%20entire%20orchestra%20photo.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Texas Medical Center Orchestra</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Started in 2000, the Texas Medical Center Orchestra (TMCO) is mainly comprised of healthcare professionals. TMCO’s mission is to provide affordable public concerts in accessible venues, the programming reflecting Houston’s diverse audience; to bring public attention to and support for medically related or educational charities; and to provide healthcare professionals with a high-quality outlet for creative expression through symphonic music. Founding Conductor Libi Lebel continues to choose challenging and varied programs. During the pandemic, TMCO has participated in uplifting music videos, among them “I’m Standing with You” international video which raised $7m for WHO COVID relief in 2020; “Thankful”, a collaborative video with the International Voices Houston in 2021; and live small-ensemble concerts at the Baylor College of Medicine in 2022. We were honored to win second place, community orchestra, in The American Prize competitions, 2020-21. Website: <a href="https://tmcorchestra.org/">https://tmcorchestra.org</a>. TMCO promo video “Just the right medicine”: <a href="https://www.youtu.be/watch?v=mJTbEYbsD6Y">https://www.youtu.be/watch?v=mJTbEYbsD6Y</a> </span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3rd Place (there was a tie):</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Williamson County Symphony Orchestra </b></span></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Robert Laguna</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Round Rock TX </b> </span></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROhpXIiLzZ4CDjEh64ZT7k0vzjtp7Ui6j2lZLCkBCkMihbG8Ofwa4Eqax2JlwrJnP5M1LeiJ14I92CdmOri6Y5gL1HDBVPvFbvnCXzJM93Ou_-u4usQ67oOcRfeLK8I7Ks-CZm8YPiWM48zNglTgdcXcxahBGl12E_GwcTc1jJ8gOC-7_0oUkYGcHD8Vk/s2000/2022-12-17%20WCSO-GT%20KlettPac%20%232%20adj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="2000" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROhpXIiLzZ4CDjEh64ZT7k0vzjtp7Ui6j2lZLCkBCkMihbG8Ofwa4Eqax2JlwrJnP5M1LeiJ14I92CdmOri6Y5gL1HDBVPvFbvnCXzJM93Ou_-u4usQ67oOcRfeLK8I7Ks-CZm8YPiWM48zNglTgdcXcxahBGl12E_GwcTc1jJ8gOC-7_0oUkYGcHD8Vk/w640-h312/2022-12-17%20WCSO-GT%20KlettPac%20%232%20adj.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Williamson County Symphony Orchestra</b></td></tr></tbody></table>The Williamson County Symphony Orchestra is currently completing its 21st season. The 65-musician Orchestra is staffed almost entirely by volunteer musicians run by volunteer administrators. Most musicians are adults working in other professions but who have a great love of music and have performed at high levels earlier in their life. The musicians consider their efforts as a ministry to the community. The Orchestra performs FREE "pops-styled" concerts with a mixture of music from classical, movie/TV, contemporary, jazz, & religious genres of music, and new compositions from our Composer-in-Resident, Dr ML Daniels. The FREE concerts are pitched toward families, seniors, and the general public to increase appreciation for great music. The Orchestra, directed by Mr. Joshua Thompson, performed a two-concert series in March, 2022 which was submitted in the 2023-24 "The American Prize" national competition. For its 20th concert season the Orchestra performed four series of two concerts in each series with total attendance exceeding 10,000.</span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3rd Place (there was a tie):</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Carlisle Chamber Orchestra </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Allen Yost</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Carlisle MA </b></span></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJjaY_Cx5vmxWNRYCurDT3XVBbts61gCznaRwo41Gl753_1PSNeBcaeVXwdlNYONnwVY-1mozWj9MK6uXKGzq4g239rDkDxf6RcoFk1eff3cIhsy-_es9X_R_f7xdIwrVYdynJbxZVUW5NkvUX_prB79asWRDkQtY1PRhWnGZu5jcJLppOMd8Cyg5MJeEs/s1438/yost.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="1438" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJjaY_Cx5vmxWNRYCurDT3XVBbts61gCznaRwo41Gl753_1PSNeBcaeVXwdlNYONnwVY-1mozWj9MK6uXKGzq4g239rDkDxf6RcoFk1eff3cIhsy-_es9X_R_f7xdIwrVYdynJbxZVUW5NkvUX_prB79asWRDkQtY1PRhWnGZu5jcJLppOMd8Cyg5MJeEs/w640-h200/yost.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Carlisle Chamber Orchestra</b></td></tr></tbody></table>The Carlisle Chamber Orchestra (Carlisle MA) featured our string section at our Season opener on October 29, 2021. Like many community groups, our entire 6th season was cancelled due to the pandemic. As our seventh season opened, our town issued a mask mandate at all indoor occupancies. This included CCO wind players, so we took advantage of our strong string section, reprogrammed our repertoire, and performed a Strings only (with masks) program that included Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings. Our goal was to keep both our members and our audience safe while getting back to making live music again. The concert also introduced our new concertmaster who performed the Bach Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 with nine CCO members. The other piece on the program was Grieg Holberg Suite. As the pandemic wanes, we are gratified to see an increase in audience attendance, many attracted by our donation-based admissions. <a href="http://www.ccorch.org/">www.CCOrch.org</a></span></p></div><div><br /></div></div></div><div><br /></div></div><div><h2><span style="color: #e06666;">The American Prize in Orchestral Performance (youth orchestra division), 2023</span></h2></div><div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The American Prize winner:</b></span></p></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Indianapolis Youth Symphony Orchestra</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Adam Bodony</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Indianapolis IN </b> </span></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxDXDkQxT_Gn62hb9iZsqmlW2poZgb1190uwWT_vfkbpDQHSc70WENoL96XRbuhBeouGmy9Vq_06DrXCi06dvMlpeANjktXLFX9vmUUgmqMuTLuyUdU7555C-ua8BRMNqzPOJ4o0Ps9KwplH_eBAhDacheBkbKJ_6l9mngbnSawLexJyncnIP5Cnd80_4/s5930/IYO%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3518" data-original-width="5930" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxDXDkQxT_Gn62hb9iZsqmlW2poZgb1190uwWT_vfkbpDQHSc70WENoL96XRbuhBeouGmy9Vq_06DrXCi06dvMlpeANjktXLFX9vmUUgmqMuTLuyUdU7555C-ua8BRMNqzPOJ4o0Ps9KwplH_eBAhDacheBkbKJ_6l9mngbnSawLexJyncnIP5Cnd80_4/w640-h380/IYO%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Indianapolis Youth Symphony Orchestra</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Based at the Hilbert Circle Theatre in Indianapolis, the Indianapolis Youth Symphony Orchestra is the premiere youth orchestra in the state of Indiana and is currently under the direction of Adam Bodony. Founded in 1982 by Susan Kitterman, the Indianapolis Youth Orchestra consists of three leveled ensembles (Concert, Philharmonic, and Symphony) with a total membership of approximately 200 young musicians from all over the state of Indiana. The Indianapolis Youth Symphony Orchestra (<a href="https://indianapolisyouthorchestra.org/">https://indianapolisyouthorchestra.org/</a>) is made up of some of the most talented young musicians in Indiana and has performed at the American String Teachers Association’s National Orchestra Festival (2006), Carnegie Hall (2016, 2019, 2022), the Chicago Symphony’s Orchestra Hall (2017), and the Music For All National Festival (2018). In addition to IYO’s performing excellence, supplemental education opportunities including music theory, music history, chamber music, and conducting have been offered to orchestra members, as well as professional masterclasses, section coaching, performance tours, and visits to and from regional collegiate music schools. </span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2nd Place:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Houston Youth Symphony </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Michael Webster </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Houston TX </b></span></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkpJCHjPScxw0mHGVZJIG5KFUjZQRxZtu7pSwc7Olq4Oil98Rkic6A29FtnZOTZPtMsA0WogB0Vy3QNLTZRuSWaFtmjhreMV856q2tI3C4LJzxjZowBX7qFMC7ltY7nKMMX7qqJ7E0378ymnVUNBL9U573q9VXJ41DspJOGs4UsIWqrpZz1wH2uAbLHBL/s7032/HYS%20Photo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2877" data-original-width="7032" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkpJCHjPScxw0mHGVZJIG5KFUjZQRxZtu7pSwc7Olq4Oil98Rkic6A29FtnZOTZPtMsA0WogB0Vy3QNLTZRuSWaFtmjhreMV856q2tI3C4LJzxjZowBX7qFMC7ltY7nKMMX7qqJ7E0378ymnVUNBL9U573q9VXJ41DspJOGs4UsIWqrpZz1wH2uAbLHBL/w640-h262/HYS%20Photo.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Houston Youth Symphony</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Founded in 1946, Houston Youth Symphony has just completed its 25th year under the artistic direction of Michael Webster. HYS is the only youth orchestra to have placed in the top two of the American Prize for 11 years in a row, having garnered eight first and three second prizes, including first prize for 2020-21. For 12 of the last 14 years (2008-2021) HYS was the national winner of the Foundation for Music Education’s Mark of Excellence award. Serving the greater Houston area, HYS has grown to include five orchestras of approximately 400 members, ages 7- 19. In addition to the core orchestra program, HYS offers advanced musicians a chamber music training program and an annual concerto competition. In the community, HYS provides free private music lessons for talented youth in select low income communities through the Melody Program. In January 2015, HYS launched the Coda Music Program, an after-school effort modeled after El Sistema that brings graduated, intensive string instruction to seven elementary schools in the Houston area. The program uses classical music and group instruction to build community and social transformation.</span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3rd Place (there was a tie):</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Denver Young Artists Orchestra </b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Wes Kenney</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Denver CO </b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPh5lFDfp2Z6nIGjzTrWYghKcf0HD7YcnSn1MhEjedbZFUwxas6D4QvrpEUrK5gKGvjfATxdExqGP8H2lCpkGSduxAXTN0oWMdE91j0unNX-TNgo-aQIDHrofAbnAG1T__65thSYP23OiRyeU09myZO7pJFnCdAG6JkABdQj3vgnYgjVbvqoV1xlzbox_l/s2254/denveryao.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1382" data-original-width="2254" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPh5lFDfp2Z6nIGjzTrWYghKcf0HD7YcnSn1MhEjedbZFUwxas6D4QvrpEUrK5gKGvjfATxdExqGP8H2lCpkGSduxAXTN0oWMdE91j0unNX-TNgo-aQIDHrofAbnAG1T__65thSYP23OiRyeU09myZO7pJFnCdAG6JkABdQj3vgnYgjVbvqoV1xlzbox_l/w640-h392/denveryao.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Denver Young Artists Orchestra</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Founded in 1977 with the support of the Denver Symphony Orchestra, the award-winning Denver Young Artists Orchestra has been the premier option for aspiring young musicians in the front range for over 46 years. Now operating as an educational affiliate to the Colorado Symphony, the organization has a shared conducting position for its Music Director with the professional symphony. DYAO’s three orchestras, educational workshops, and after-school Tune Up violin classes train over 300 students, ages seven to twenty-three, from more than 100 schools across Colorado. DYAO performs throughout the Denver metro with large scale, collaborative, and outreach performances. Members of the orchestras graduate into conservatories and universities across the country including Brown University, The Eastman School of Music, Harvard University, The Juilliard School, Stanford University, and Yale University. Alumni who continued on to professional music careers are found in many major orchestras across the country including the Atlanta Symphony, Boston Symphony, Chicago Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Colorado Symphony, and Metropolitan Opera. To learn more, visit <a href="http://dyao.org/">dyao.org</a>.</span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3rd Place (there was a tie):</b></span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Denver School of the Arts HS Full Orchestra </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Enrique Lasansky </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Denver CO </b></span></div></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwczJcaUGmBi1vYkxf4v8kXzSOYudAp3Dt8bk62yQssGlH-SRKY0EmBE_h2Pd3_kxO_k68asyGbYXcd_Deh2WfQnWLG3UfDUM0uxE1_PVoDZMhjz-jBqvY3Yz1SNom4GOIRI4v6MR_lTHzU5gRLbKIwbR1UT2H_dmRQAxyA03DmQkWuOmjfw6oKIGRGLk9/s2048/DSA%20Full%20Orchestra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="2048" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwczJcaUGmBi1vYkxf4v8kXzSOYudAp3Dt8bk62yQssGlH-SRKY0EmBE_h2Pd3_kxO_k68asyGbYXcd_Deh2WfQnWLG3UfDUM0uxE1_PVoDZMhjz-jBqvY3Yz1SNom4GOIRI4v6MR_lTHzU5gRLbKIwbR1UT2H_dmRQAxyA03DmQkWuOmjfw6oKIGRGLk9/w640-h166/DSA%20Full%20Orchestra.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Denver School of the Arts HS Full Orchestra</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Denver School of the Arts (DSA) Orchestra offers an intensive program for string musicians seeking to develop their talent, understanding, and passion for music. As the Rocky Mountain region’s only public 6-12 school for the arts, DSA attracts promising young students seeking a challenging and inspiring environment in which to pursue their musical ambition. The course of study at DSA is a pre-conservatory, project-based model that includes daily rehearsals in large and small ensembles, music theory and musicology classes in cooperation with the other DSA music departments. One of the foundations of the DSA music program is giving students the opportunity to work with some of Denver’s most accomplished professional musicians, in weekly coaching sessions and sectional rehearsals. The DSA High School Full Orchestra is comprised of all students in the DSA Advanced Orchestra plus the most advanced students in the Band department. For more information, visit: <a href="http://www.dsa.dpsk12.org/">www.dsa.dpsk12.org</a>.</span></p></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div><div><h2><span style="color: #e06666;">The American Prize in Orchestral Performance (school orchestra division), 2023</span></h2></div><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The American Prize winner:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Seven Lakes HS Symphony Orchestra</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Desiree Overree, John Mays, Sean Carlton</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Katy TX </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIT9vZ2KnJI9dXDzqngPdaui26NKQ6wxXhopowWZYagpBdeA5TNZkiyUiTrUtQKdicyzsgwPIWcpM8Edc22kzx8vptNlWbxSfQhVUz-vPqD-mFXS9mU0Beo2SPzus60gGheX_izclMDnJSJSsndGwVt0KPh6XBW9elKRQ1cCYirFksOdbewSRktIFrkBnN/s1496/Symphony20212022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="1496" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIT9vZ2KnJI9dXDzqngPdaui26NKQ6wxXhopowWZYagpBdeA5TNZkiyUiTrUtQKdicyzsgwPIWcpM8Edc22kzx8vptNlWbxSfQhVUz-vPqD-mFXS9mU0Beo2SPzus60gGheX_izclMDnJSJSsndGwVt0KPh6XBW9elKRQ1cCYirFksOdbewSRktIFrkBnN/w640-h260/Symphony20212022.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Seven Lakes HS Symphony Orchestra</b></td></tr></tbody></table>The Seven Lakes Symphony Orchestra is comprised of the top two string ensembles and the top band at Seven Lakes High School. In its 17-year history, the ensemble has earned numerous awards and accolades at the regional, state, and national level, including being a National Winner in the Mark of Excellence / National Honors Project since 2015, winning the American Prize in Music in 2018 and 2021, and being named the state champion full orchestra for Texas Music Educators Association in 2016 and 2020. Seven Lakes HS was acknowledged by the GRAMMY Foundation in 2010-2011 as a GRAMMY Signature School. Our Fine Arts Department is built on the tenets of collaboration and excellence, bringing innovative performances to our community. The Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Desiree Overree, John Mays, and Sean Carlton.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2nd Place:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Interlake HS Chamber Orchestra </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Shira Katsman </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Seattle WA </b></span></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCwL6vHri0AkrDSWFjctQkCc7bFBq3evJN3tJ9OUwxyRelurtXacL0thjNcD86ufHNnmAEoMHlXDEapQK0waCCy3IxmQYfQ-5Ag-fZT3ewoh2IaUFxzFui0zK_68mGGUZo9i2fd3b1lMkEwsQV6qzUBpZehykIGI6iAst5Gf-uVzYUFgMa1hFaxZtq3cs/s3996/Interlake%20HS%20Chamber%20Orchestra%20March%202022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2996" data-original-width="3996" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCwL6vHri0AkrDSWFjctQkCc7bFBq3evJN3tJ9OUwxyRelurtXacL0thjNcD86ufHNnmAEoMHlXDEapQK0waCCy3IxmQYfQ-5Ag-fZT3ewoh2IaUFxzFui0zK_68mGGUZo9i2fd3b1lMkEwsQV6qzUBpZehykIGI6iAst5Gf-uVzYUFgMa1hFaxZtq3cs/w640-h480/Interlake%20HS%20Chamber%20Orchestra%20March%202022.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Interlake HS Chamber Orchestra</b></td></tr></tbody></table>The Interlake High School Chamber Orchestra is a conductorless string orchestra from Bellevue, Washington under the direction of Dr. Shira Katsman. The ensemble consistently receives superior ratings at the WMEA Eastshore Region Orchestra Festival, and orchestra members have placed at the state level in the Solo & Ensemble Festival and qualified for the All-National Honor Orchestra, the NSO Summer Music Institute and the NYO-USA. The orchestra has participated in clinics with the Miró Quartet, the Lafayette String Quartet, and the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and in masterclasses with Chin Kim, Ralph Kirshbaum, Antonio Lysy, CarlaMaria Rodrigues, Maria Sampen, and Eric Wilson. In 2018 the orchestra received a perfect score at the World Strides Heritage Festival in Anaheim, a first for an instrumental group in the forty-year history of the festival. The orchestra has also performed at the NAfME All-Northwest Conference, the ASTA National Orchestra Festival, and the United Nations. <a href="http://www.interlakemusic.org/">http://www.interlakemusic.org/</a></span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3rd Place (there was a tie):</b></span></p></div></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Beckman HS String Orchestra </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Jim Kollias </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Tustin CA </b></span></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7LsXk9OsZ6Ky3GB5oRAQFL9Ndgap24WfxSl-2u4YQCQjtY0fyA1F5yQ5YQqUrwhKEise15K-YMiEhpCi3Y_iXI-VRqJXqFgCFGlgR2iGzOody6PqqmubGCQkoYB73wlMxMhmad2HYNEWKJKqPfSIPJMtWMLeLD5a2eX8Kz_KJISUJhkTAwSkFHvnazwU/s1932/beckman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1126" data-original-width="1932" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7LsXk9OsZ6Ky3GB5oRAQFL9Ndgap24WfxSl-2u4YQCQjtY0fyA1F5yQ5YQqUrwhKEise15K-YMiEhpCi3Y_iXI-VRqJXqFgCFGlgR2iGzOody6PqqmubGCQkoYB73wlMxMhmad2HYNEWKJKqPfSIPJMtWMLeLD5a2eX8Kz_KJISUJhkTAwSkFHvnazwU/w640-h374/beckman.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Beckman HS String Orchestra</b></td></tr></tbody></table>California State Superintendent Jack O’Connell said this about the Beckman HS Orchestra: This is the reason we need to keep the arts in our public-school system. This is a tremendous group - what a talent! This group represents the best of the best. This is an extremely distinguished group - what an orchestra! The Beckman String Orchestra, under the direction of Jim Kollias, has earned acclaim as one of the finest orchestra programs in California. The orchestra has earned Superior Ratings at every music festival it has ever performed in and has performed a rich orchestral repertoire in such notable venues as Carnegie Hall, Walt Disney Hall (Los Angeles), Segerstrom Hall (Costa Mesa), Barclay Theater (UC Irvine), and Musco Center for the Arts (Chapman University). Beckman HS has been recognized as a GRAMMY Signature School Semi-Finalist and an American Prize Recipient in Orchestral Performance, HS Division.</span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3rd Place (there was a tie):</b></span></p></div></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Seven Lakes HS Sinfonia Orchestra </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Desiree Overree </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Katy TX </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgae1IAyrrCwQrJaJ8kOV_mL5W-DtQ3aaV_cT-h-3TdtQe-Oaex10IZPU_sdZjpAizKlsR9ikrNeuTtsNmpwaLuIYborSGptDIlQ01wYy_51C05iTtQOXtuymC-U8sMcSa5qRTjNi689AOEAvLl3JAuNNcivReHfVWXdhckbwD65n6clAyIy3Mm32EN2Zjl/s1364/SLHSSinfonia2021-2022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="973" data-original-width="1364" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgae1IAyrrCwQrJaJ8kOV_mL5W-DtQ3aaV_cT-h-3TdtQe-Oaex10IZPU_sdZjpAizKlsR9ikrNeuTtsNmpwaLuIYborSGptDIlQ01wYy_51C05iTtQOXtuymC-U8sMcSa5qRTjNi689AOEAvLl3JAuNNcivReHfVWXdhckbwD65n6clAyIy3Mm32EN2Zjl/w640-h456/SLHSSinfonia2021-2022.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Seven Lakes HS Sinfonia Orchestra</b></td></tr></tbody></table>The Seven Lakes Sinfonia Orchestra is the top string orchestra at Seven Lakes High School. In its 17-year history, the ensemble has earned numerous awards and accolades at the regional, state, and national level, including being a National Winner and Runner-Up in the Mark of Excellence / National Honors Project since 2015. Seven Lakes HS was acknowledged by the GRAMMY Foundation in 2010-2011 as a GRAMMY Signature School. Our Fine Arts Department is built on the tenets of collaboration and excellence, and bringing innovative performances to our community. The Sinfonia Orchestra is conducted by Desiree Overree.</span></div><div><br /></div></div><i>*** </i><br /><br /><i>Congratulations!</i><b><br /></b><br /><br /> </div>davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10142661857434106176noreply@blogger.com0Danbury, CT, USA41.394817 -73.454011113.084583163821158 -108.6102611 69.705050836178856 -38.2977611tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903769510370841145.post-6941795703852772942023-11-14T17:00:00.003-05:002023-11-15T08:12:50.290-05:00National winners: CHORUSES, 2023<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9KV0KyPqGdSmYSYNPEbZU6ImnpCQx3AI3C58tozf1NDOZYX112reSl3oYat5psaoNtwPL1SlQhuUmppPYQsLvmL2BH0IOTjXHi3vZud5WODsarAIaz1Dyt7PQ6pJAEnzlWbufgQZfkA/s1600/chorus.jpeg" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="386" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9KV0KyPqGdSmYSYNPEbZU6ImnpCQx3AI3C58tozf1NDOZYX112reSl3oYat5psaoNtwPL1SlQhuUmppPYQsLvmL2BH0IOTjXHi3vZud5WODsarAIaz1Dyt7PQ6pJAEnzlWbufgQZfkA/s200/chorus.jpeg" width="155" /></a><b>The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts, </b>David (Volosin) Katz, founder and chief judge, is honored to announce NATIONAL winners, runners-up and citation recipients of The American Prize in Choral Performance, 2023. Congratulations! Questions, or to make us aware of any misprints in the listings below, please email: <a href="mailto:theamericanprize@gmail.com" target="_blank">theamericanprize@gmail.com </a></p><p><span><b>The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts</b> is the nation's most comprehensive series of contests in the performing arts. The American Prize is unique in scope and structure, designed to recognize and reward the best performing artists, directors, ensembles and composers in the United States at professional, college/university, community and high school levels, based on submitted recordings. Now in its thirteenth year, <span>The American Prize was founded in 2010 and is awarded annually in many areas of the performing arts. Thousands of artists from all fifty states have derived benefit from their participation in the contests of The American Prize, </span>representing literally hundreds of communities and arts organizations across the nation.(<a href="http://theamericanprize.org">http://theamericanprize.org</a>)</span></p><p><span><br /></span></p><h2><span style="color: #e06666;">The American Prize in Choral Performance—professional division, 2023</span></h2><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">The American Prize winner:<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Alicia Brozovich<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Trenton NJ<br /></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The Lotus Project</b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_mimRZ1dG4Z98Jt521UJQUBX1swDfweWevxLoEbXymlMbt3mjvrHYFymTAfGzwX2S798VJDaHRqmlxGjWCZQw65SxXzAWbv4LQ4wqPzp19pfZBjUGAt5X0AIX6u2uiGhCtzyq3buq4HVJK2IZIog6LkpCw3ICx6UEeQQKqZ1zsjjis1w5n1vwL7rDOVI/s3868/The%20LOTUS%20Project%20(ensemble%20photo).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1818" data-original-width="3868" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_mimRZ1dG4Z98Jt521UJQUBX1swDfweWevxLoEbXymlMbt3mjvrHYFymTAfGzwX2S798VJDaHRqmlxGjWCZQw65SxXzAWbv4LQ4wqPzp19pfZBjUGAt5X0AIX6u2uiGhCtzyq3buq4HVJK2IZIog6LkpCw3ICx6UEeQQKqZ1zsjjis1w5n1vwL7rDOVI/w640-h300/The%20LOTUS%20Project%20(ensemble%20photo).png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">The Lotus Project</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Emerging from the silence of a worldwide pandemic, <i>The LOTUS Project</i> was founded in 2020 as we all looked to the future with questions in our minds. The mission of <i>The LOTUS Project</i> is "to craft immersive musical experiences in which we can encounter the world with new eyes and a renewed sense of wonder." This is accomplished through: immersive concerts in non-traditional performance venues; compelling stories about our shared human experience; highlighting historically excluded voices; and humanitarian partnerships that engage with and elevate the local community. <span style="background-color: white;">In its inaugural season (2021-22), the ensemble featured Trenton-based visual artist Tamara Torres as the official Artist-in-Residence, utilizing her artwork in the programming of several concerts. The season culminated in a collaborative benefit concert with the New Jersey Capital Philharmonic Orchestra, where over $12k was raised to support an orphanage in war torn Ukraine. For more information about this new ensemble, visit: </span><a href="http://www.thelotusprojectnj.org/" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #103cc0;">www.thelotusprojectnj.org</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">.</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">2nd Place:<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Baker Purdon<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Philadelphia PA<br /></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Teneo </b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisS2uJ5YVfwVtjGUckHhX8_6635rXUWkI-rR9Vb8Fy0B-sYbQ8Mm1ze7GGHdXYxewlRUdC6eVBtBJU5lRcxvWHvY2LpLaOOKUyCPO8blWUae6oitFvAHPEZspDlmYkNNRwIf38_C5G5soCuMVfp6yAVzpkw8LWHi-nAFJ83SK1kb-c-0TZLmOr3my6J4-B/s2100/purdon.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2100" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisS2uJ5YVfwVtjGUckHhX8_6635rXUWkI-rR9Vb8Fy0B-sYbQ8Mm1ze7GGHdXYxewlRUdC6eVBtBJU5lRcxvWHvY2LpLaOOKUyCPO8blWUae6oitFvAHPEZspDlmYkNNRwIf38_C5G5soCuMVfp6yAVzpkw8LWHi-nAFJ83SK1kb-c-0TZLmOr3my6J4-B/w458-h640/purdon.jpeg" width="458" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Baker Purdon</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Baker Purdon is a Ph.D. Student in Music Education and Choral Conducting at Temple University wherehe was awarded a University Fellowship. While at Temple, Baker was awarded the 2022 Presser Foundation Graduate Music Award which enabled him to record his debut album, <i>Walking Through the Valley: Choral Music from Black Composers, 1919-2022</i>. He was also named the inaugural Presser Foundation Graduate Music Fellow for 2022-2023. Baker’s research on the imposter syndrome in music education has received national attention and has been shared at conferences across the United States. In additiona to his academic pursuits, Baker is the collaborative accompanist for the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus and serves as the Director of Music at Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Atonement in Philadelphia.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">3rd Place:<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Christopher Brammer <br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Springfield MO<br /></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Springfield Chamber Chorus </b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUpdDE-vGKMK3ithSjkOLXFsXZe3fXC-jHxoFU7wK8Hygo4ZUGdfew-MMk4hGNQKBkCJkwkf97KAK-mpayVDd5eHUUQZIBHt4qH1L_czr-M9Tur2GDLBUeu96FlYSI3Vh_VlKHSZ249Y989uxkRAy8vk1Sxlvy7EZKyZRW3cuQqdRrb2bv1J0xzWL8YRz9/s1208/springfield.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="772" data-original-width="1208" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUpdDE-vGKMK3ithSjkOLXFsXZe3fXC-jHxoFU7wK8Hygo4ZUGdfew-MMk4hGNQKBkCJkwkf97KAK-mpayVDd5eHUUQZIBHt4qH1L_czr-M9Tur2GDLBUeu96FlYSI3Vh_VlKHSZ249Y989uxkRAy8vk1Sxlvy7EZKyZRW3cuQqdRrb2bv1J0xzWL8YRz9/w640-h410/springfield.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Springfield Chamber Chorus </b></td></tr></tbody></table>Founded in 2008, Springfield Chamber Chorus is dedicated to acting as ambassadors, artists, and educators, integrating choral music into the life of our community through meaningful experiences for both singer and audience. The chorus, an entirely volunteer ensemble of 40 members, exists to pursue artistic excellence while commissioning new works, supporting emerging talent, and promoting artistic collaboration throughout our region. Under the baton of Artistic Director Christopher Brammer, the chorus has released numerous recordings, including “A Springfield Christmas”, a television special featuring local school and community choirs each holiday season, and the premier of “Forgotten Voices”, a choral song cycle by composer Katie Kring, featuring the voices of Springfield’s unhoused community. Springfield Chamber Chorus’s artistic vision and growing presence in Missouri and beyond is reflected in diverse and engaging repertoire. Performances highlight a wide range of classic and contemporary choral pieces and engage choral lovers and new audience members alike.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Finalist Honorable Mention:<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Darren Dailey<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jacksonville FL<br /></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Voices of Jacksonville </b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVS8g_aZ3xyT5BxK3R3xjY9MKZU_inV5WuI_LUH0huaYRZfgRS7yRsy4nLxmukOVes94xKqcM_4QBrLeoiF1e3SnHN6ycQ_Z6pnWSGtOWkxT9cYjtPh4W2vOEMQQamp2XWTBqNVayLtB8OpbZdVkD5ZdYcj9kwAN-CuzXMzgud8QQpE9Z2AGxT6tfia9G/s1074/Voices%20of%20Jacksonville.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="367" data-original-width="1074" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVS8g_aZ3xyT5BxK3R3xjY9MKZU_inV5WuI_LUH0huaYRZfgRS7yRsy4nLxmukOVes94xKqcM_4QBrLeoiF1e3SnHN6ycQ_Z6pnWSGtOWkxT9cYjtPh4W2vOEMQQamp2XWTBqNVayLtB8OpbZdVkD5ZdYcj9kwAN-CuzXMzgud8QQpE9Z2AGxT6tfia9G/w640-h218/Voices%20of%20Jacksonville.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Voices of Jacksonville</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Voices of Jacksonville </b>is the adult professional ensemble of the Jacksonville Children’s Chorus dedicated to increasing the awareness, appreciation, and esteem of choral music through performance, outreach, and education. Voices is comprised of faculty, alumni, and friends of the JCC. Conducted by JCC’s Artistic Director Darren Dailey, and invited guest conductors such as Rollo Dilworth, Henry Leck, and more. We have sought out Northeast Florida’s best professional singers to bring you the highest level of professional choral performances. Rehearsals are monthly on Sunday afternoons.</span></div><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #e06666;">The American Prize in Choral Performance—college/university division (larger program), </span><span style="color: #e06666;">2023 </span></h2><div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">The American Prize winner:<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sean Linfors <br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ithaca NY<br /></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Ithaca College Choir </b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXy-v4r0dXtLcN_AZxI-Fz_yFAPw-n9zdsGtTYjI9eXxAeW94TUYH7agL2VTccB6MTI40YHmL3eHM_aECxAiWDhgAPVvCjXghfekgbb66P7Mc5Mu3DVtKKN2AqoackKoAplkXMK0QYw7-dj1Y3vixcFSRhuL4bIMLSnODTqMvqE5Ps4dQZUkk9r5BducFU/s2676/Sean%20Linfors.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="2676" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXy-v4r0dXtLcN_AZxI-Fz_yFAPw-n9zdsGtTYjI9eXxAeW94TUYH7agL2VTccB6MTI40YHmL3eHM_aECxAiWDhgAPVvCjXghfekgbb66P7Mc5Mu3DVtKKN2AqoackKoAplkXMK0QYw7-dj1Y3vixcFSRhuL4bIMLSnODTqMvqE5Ps4dQZUkk9r5BducFU/w640-h430/Sean%20Linfors.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Sean Linfors</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Sean Linfors is an Assistant Professor of Music Education and Interim Director of Choral Activities at Ithaca College, where he directs ensembles and has taught graduate and undergraduate choral conducting, choral literature, and choral methods. He enjoys collaborating with his many colleagues and local artists in creating unique concert experiences. He received his undergraduate degree in trumpet performance from University of Richmond and graduate degrees in conducting and music education from Florida State University, studying with André Thomas. Prior to graduate study, he taught in Florida and Virginia. He is the Artistic Director of the Cayuga Vocal Ensemble in Ithaca and the Syracuse Chorale in Syracuse, New York. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">2nd Place:<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Vernon Huff<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fredonia NY<br /></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Fredonia Chamber Choir </b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTf5VSJAbxFD4OzxHc_SYyCyZiBycl7A22HrPN86Py-cn1fCFAWRUQCVvZ3gGggH27244oA9NudgjuaNen2Y6_orOcN6g9yhn0WJXNBja3bV0eIQDEt7n2bWDFhO7pXKXG8RFmL5AbmB92jKTl9BVaKKE3hV5dFqC8ykzUxNp0ELFfaof5BdghNIjQgk0/s512/fredoniachamber_choir.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="341" data-original-width="512" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTf5VSJAbxFD4OzxHc_SYyCyZiBycl7A22HrPN86Py-cn1fCFAWRUQCVvZ3gGggH27244oA9NudgjuaNen2Y6_orOcN6g9yhn0WJXNBja3bV0eIQDEt7n2bWDFhO7pXKXG8RFmL5AbmB92jKTl9BVaKKE3hV5dFqC8ykzUxNp0ELFfaof5BdghNIjQgk0/w640-h426/fredoniachamber_choir.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Fredonia Chamber Choir</b></td></tr></tbody></table>The <b>Fredonia Chamber Choir </b>is the premier choral ensemble at The State University of New York at Fredonia which consists of 24 SATB singers auditioned from the entire university. The choir tours regularly and serves as musical and cultural ambassadors for the Fredonia School of Music. The Chamber Choir specializes in advanced choral repertoire while offering additional music for special events and outreach performances. In 2022 the choir performed at the Eastern Region ACDA conference in Boston, MA.<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Dr. Vernon Huff, Director of Choral Activities and Associate Professor of Choral Music Education, serves as conductor. In his role, Dr. Huff also conducts the Fredonia Masterworks Chorus, teaches courses in choral conducting, music education, and supervises the MM choral conducting degree program. He has served as guest clinician and conductor across the US, from Arizona to Connecticut.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">3rd Place (there was a tie):<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Patrick K. Freer <br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Atlanta GA<br /></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Georgia State University Tenor-Bass Choir</b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPovk4YFoIm8EB8fwWSCtvDWre5_ny6moJKsBgd2DP2Vgfo42_nDwiMUp4EReG1HHD_cmeCn6OVJWQHMt6znDq2U-lXDNV87o2O2Ip6p1MYj4ZL73ykrA_wkV0IwZJWPsn3rOkHpyY0K29jjxdrqSuOUYYgSJ2k5u7dWPqgbDdD7CoVN12UmZ7oY5a6Oh5/s5191/Photo%20-%20GSU%20Tenor-Bass%20Choir.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2040" data-original-width="5191" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPovk4YFoIm8EB8fwWSCtvDWre5_ny6moJKsBgd2DP2Vgfo42_nDwiMUp4EReG1HHD_cmeCn6OVJWQHMt6znDq2U-lXDNV87o2O2Ip6p1MYj4ZL73ykrA_wkV0IwZJWPsn3rOkHpyY0K29jjxdrqSuOUYYgSJ2k5u7dWPqgbDdD7CoVN12UmZ7oY5a6Oh5/w640-h252/Photo%20-%20GSU%20Tenor-Bass%20Choir.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Georgia State University Tenor-Bass Choir</b></td></tr></tbody></table>The choral music program at Georgia State University boasts a history of performance excellence with numerous nationally and internationally known conductors. The <b>Tenor-Bass Choir</b>, conducted by Dr. Patrick K. Freer, is the newest of GSU’s choral ensembles and works diligently to maintain and enhance this tradition. A previous incarnation of the choir, through 2014, was the GSU Men’s Chorus which was a featured ensemble for the 2012 National Seminar of Intercollegiate Male Choruses (now known as IMC: The Tenor-Bass Consortium) and a national semi-finalist for the American Prize in Choral Performance. The GSU Tenor-Bass Choir was reestablished in 2021. The ensemble is designed to provide each singer with experiences that will cultivate personal musicianship, clarify professional goals, and enhance overall music education. Membership is open to all tenors and basses in the Georgia State University community.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">3rd Place (there was a tie):<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Nicolas Alberto Dosman<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Portland ME<br /></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>USM Chamber Singers </b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVqfaihdZK7UvUJHd8D27HelvxEuKRRLc5E4UyRThyJ1COMbEyMuO7flRN-thpv5_DYh_HWvUj4G-gOBah_fNLoGIEg5RFmcLOuLGG5BCp8Dvc8oGNFEUqGm1gA2AgC6LSc5o85QO-jUJanhPEt0K6RTLnZ-Acmo7F_ehAu-K45_WRbKsAzMovwMa4ek-/s5872/011%20Chamber%20Singers.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3920" data-original-width="5872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVqfaihdZK7UvUJHd8D27HelvxEuKRRLc5E4UyRThyJ1COMbEyMuO7flRN-thpv5_DYh_HWvUj4G-gOBah_fNLoGIEg5RFmcLOuLGG5BCp8Dvc8oGNFEUqGm1gA2AgC6LSc5o85QO-jUJanhPEt0K6RTLnZ-Acmo7F_ehAu-K45_WRbKsAzMovwMa4ek-/w640-h428/011%20Chamber%20Singers.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">USM Chamber Singers </b></td></tr></tbody></table>The singers in the award-winning USM Chamber Singersat the Osher School of Music represent outstanding vocal performers at the USM. Committed to choral excellence, these students have accepted a responsibility to musical distinction through healthy vocal technique, outstanding musicianship, precise intonation, and the artistry of understanding the nuance of text. Under the direction of Nicolás Alberto Dosman, the Chamber Singers perform a diverse repertory centered on <i>a cappella </i>literature. They have produced several CDs over the years and have participated in international tours. Their most recent international tour was to Hoi An, Vietnam where they had participated in Interkultur's 2019 Vietnam International Choir Competition. They were awarded a Gold Diploma and invited to participate in the World Choir Games: Champions Round. In 2022 the USM Chamber Singers performed as an invited choir at the American Choral Directors Eastern Region Conference and made their Carnegie Hall debut.</span></div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><h2><span style="color: #e06666;">The American Prize in Choral Performance—college/university division (smaller program), </span><span style="color: #e06666;">2023</span></h2></div><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The American Prize winner:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Ryan Person</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Sioux City IA</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The Morningside Choir </b></span></div></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgQxS3CiVY3ZyuUxHw7n6zB3o284qTkkR_5HCmRcsjV0Jt7VywkH2Y7R3Kfqzmo2ctq76Gb_9IuE1XfUOEFR2UOjdoU7RZgQG8PGr5B_zdQlTShP97EiGi-Cx0l3zu_daKusAie_gQI0imA44gEuWY_oeTTkU4Rg1ga3dms4xf-kkvvvQzstyCdzTtR4b/s7360/The%20Morningside%20Choir.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4912" data-original-width="7360" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgQxS3CiVY3ZyuUxHw7n6zB3o284qTkkR_5HCmRcsjV0Jt7VywkH2Y7R3Kfqzmo2ctq76Gb_9IuE1XfUOEFR2UOjdoU7RZgQG8PGr5B_zdQlTShP97EiGi-Cx0l3zu_daKusAie_gQI0imA44gEuWY_oeTTkU4Rg1ga3dms4xf-kkvvvQzstyCdzTtR4b/w640-h428/The%20Morningside%20Choir.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">The Morningside Choir </b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Morningside Choir of Morningside University is acclaimed for forging innovative musical paths through the performance of vibrant choral literature. Recognized for its outstanding musical merit, the ensemble showcases versatility and artistry across many music genres. Under the direction of Dr. Ryan Person, who assumed the position of director of choral activities in 2018, The Morningside Choir is the premier choral ensemble, annually traveling to regional, national, and international destinations. Group members also pursue various majors and are some of the university’s finest scholars. Located in Sioux City, Iowa, the ensemble will celebrate a century of musical excellence in 2024. For more information, please visit </span><a href="http://morningside.edu/" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #103cc0;">morningside.edu</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span><p></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2nd Place:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>David Holdhusen </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Vermillion SD</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>University of South Dakota Chamber Singers </b></span></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZFTUgiDBJkIx9fUIU1AXnI7SVoJ-Qtv2UHYXxlt7nXFMe-mw0POvt-Pm-m41R5en7IA90UCjMkpStILiWCRFGGOuhTp6RBcUYpYffmGaOc2UV-lyPr-HUI3_7eFNZmRHCA6F5Uzm2DnxnRMPk8Y9VEOedGxt2h2-BJzEW-pE8ybUDgXYquxKpXGP3YT_/s6000/University%20of%20South%20Dakota%20Chamber%20Singers.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZFTUgiDBJkIx9fUIU1AXnI7SVoJ-Qtv2UHYXxlt7nXFMe-mw0POvt-Pm-m41R5en7IA90UCjMkpStILiWCRFGGOuhTp6RBcUYpYffmGaOc2UV-lyPr-HUI3_7eFNZmRHCA6F5Uzm2DnxnRMPk8Y9VEOedGxt2h2-BJzEW-pE8ybUDgXYquxKpXGP3YT_/w426-h640/University%20of%20South%20Dakota%20Chamber%20Singers.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">University of South Dakota Chamber Singers</b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;">Chamber Singers is the premiere vocal ensemble at the University of South Dakota. It is comprised of musicians selected through audition from the university student body. Known to critics for “creating a choral concert of stunning beauty and musical understanding,” the ensemble presents music from the Renaissance to the present in a wide range of musical styles. The choir presents concerts both on and off campus and has toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe. They have performed for state and regional conventions of the American Choral Directors Association and have appeared on the public radio program “Going Beyond Words.” <a href="https://www.facebook.com/USDChamberSingers/"><span style="color: #103cc0;">https://www.facebook.com/USDChamberSingers/</span></a></span><p></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3rd Place: </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Cody S. Parrott </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Austin TX</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>University of Texas Treble Chorus</b></span></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b style="font-family: inherit;"></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQetbnNc_-wbtqER2MZvCzOzBiilC_B-k7PQzVhD0DGpNYw-ZqtmkckAC1IOuK_jToW-4cp7_FY7iZpGm0IyGI04U_EWX_JL93TMJqcj6dKxLoZJpdoLKZZ_PP6s080m625m1xGwd-3V5smmdm5HnSWk2fDXa7g3Js0zH77wlruqF6kEyHIYYT3oCenan/s5472/Cody%20_%20Headshots-192-Edit.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5472" data-original-width="3648" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQetbnNc_-wbtqER2MZvCzOzBiilC_B-k7PQzVhD0DGpNYw-ZqtmkckAC1IOuK_jToW-4cp7_FY7iZpGm0IyGI04U_EWX_JL93TMJqcj6dKxLoZJpdoLKZZ_PP6s080m625m1xGwd-3V5smmdm5HnSWk2fDXa7g3Js0zH77wlruqF6kEyHIYYT3oCenan/w426-h640/Cody%20_%20Headshots-192-Edit.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Cody S. Parrott </b></td></tr></tbody></table><b style="font-family: inherit;">Cody S. Parrott </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting with specialization in Vocal Pedagogy at the University of Texas at Austin where he is the conductor of the University Treble Chorus and studies conducting with Drs. J.D. Burnett and Suzanne Pence. The University Treble Chorus is comprised of soprano and alto singers from the Butler School of Music as well as disciplines from nearly every department of the University of Texas. Before coming to UT Austin, Mr. Parrott taught in Texas public schools for nearly 15 years earning consistent awards and invitations with his choirs and vocal students. He is an active clinician and presenter at TMEA, TCDA, and ACDA events having just presented his session called “The ABCs of Vocal Pedagogy for Choral Ensembles” with the Texas Choral Directors Association. Mr. Parrott holds a Master of Music in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music and a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of St. Thomas in Houston where he specialized in Choral Music Education and Voice. </span><a href="http://www.codysparrott.com/" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #103cc0;">www.codysparrott.com</span></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: inherit;"> </span><p></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Judges Citation: Special Accompliment in Jazz Performance</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Christopher M. Smith </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Olathe KS</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Mid America Nazarene University Heritage Choir</b></span></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0oOjWRL2SOOsjVDNUdX3uAVMmeTulBmJCDxNwW7ONDmaHsvZOW7nMBCrVMu6P-ip36zh4q2W-4mqP_DJV2c-V6otWpGF9TA09BnSKd__Izl-oABw88S0kRi63Axb7f1Fu4aep59mX4QeU1QhzKw9nOtPaZFV4Lwn86jzxSSbb1RphFsdwLiX2dv5JdGcq/s5018/MNU%20Heritage%20Choir%2022.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3345" data-original-width="5018" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0oOjWRL2SOOsjVDNUdX3uAVMmeTulBmJCDxNwW7ONDmaHsvZOW7nMBCrVMu6P-ip36zh4q2W-4mqP_DJV2c-V6otWpGF9TA09BnSKd__Izl-oABw88S0kRi63Axb7f1Fu4aep59mX4QeU1QhzKw9nOtPaZFV4Lwn86jzxSSbb1RphFsdwLiX2dv5JdGcq/w640-h426/MNU%20Heritage%20Choir%2022.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Mid America Nazarene University Heritage Choir</b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;">The MidAmerica Nazarene University Heritage Choir is a select auditioned mixed ensemble performing advanced works from a variety of style periods, genres, and cultures, specializing in gospel, jazz, and music for worship. Established in 1966 with the founding of the University, Heritage Choir represents MNU as its touring ensemble and performs in other special university functions. Heritage Choir performed at New York’s Carnegie Hall in 2011 and in the National Capital Choral Festival in Washington, DC in 2013. The Choir performed at the 2018 and 2022 Kansas Music Educators Association In-Service Workshop and has collaborated with musicians of various styles including: Michael Engelhardt, Wintley Phipps, Lynda Randle, and Michael Tait of the Newsboys.</span><p></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Finalist Honorable Mention: </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Eliezer Yanson Jr.</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Jacksonville AL</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Jacksonville State University Chamber Singers </b></span></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0PfRYYRUjfknwmtiUY0yuZ3Q4UsT6IF7gRNssCB52FGduEnZBXfQy4C9jgJMS-STNbeRZPEF7AtqFECMK59On4SzWpJkggUvQGMgcHELS3VSn9rbxWkAz8IG6-SRRS4VXZ0n7nCOI7IDhPAlcA4mzbxVm5lHExepFK4CgMj84ye6QYLuqg0UsP5kEjqD/s3044/jacksonville.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1850" data-original-width="3044" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0PfRYYRUjfknwmtiUY0yuZ3Q4UsT6IF7gRNssCB52FGduEnZBXfQy4C9jgJMS-STNbeRZPEF7AtqFECMK59On4SzWpJkggUvQGMgcHELS3VSn9rbxWkAz8IG6-SRRS4VXZ0n7nCOI7IDhPAlcA4mzbxVm5lHExepFK4CgMj84ye6QYLuqg0UsP5kEjqD/w640-h388/jacksonville.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Jacksonville State University Chamber Singers</b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;">As a select performing group, the <b>Jacksonville State University Chamber Singers</b> is known for intimate performances of chamber music. One of the busiest performing ensembles on campus, the Chamber Singers tours annually and participates in events hosted by the University, Calhoun County, and beyond. Most of the members are vocal music majors or minors and are actively involved in opera and opera theatre productions on campus.</span><p></p></div><div><br /></div><h2><span style="color: #e06666;">The American Prize in Choral Performance—community division, </span><span style="color: #e06666;">2023</span></h2><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">The American Prize winner:<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Alex Canovas <br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Brooklyn NY<br /></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Young New Yorkers Chorus </b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZcQl49N3P1enyd3kC1kGGHimYv74qPfRz5wwBzIiiUfN0BNFVfj93prwsYzEfuEdBbOQHfetVdnMxoyR-gVu9q6MUnujlEySmkUrZhS3pdoYbThZ4QqWojizsY9vhWNhGh8yrVAx1DbIa7gF20K_6Q24-vgY65arW-3TF5J4bmJQdNnflvS1vOLLVkmk/s838/YNYC%20Photo.PNG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="838" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZcQl49N3P1enyd3kC1kGGHimYv74qPfRz5wwBzIiiUfN0BNFVfj93prwsYzEfuEdBbOQHfetVdnMxoyR-gVu9q6MUnujlEySmkUrZhS3pdoYbThZ4QqWojizsY9vhWNhGh8yrVAx1DbIa7gF20K_6Q24-vgY65arW-3TF5J4bmJQdNnflvS1vOLLVkmk/w640-h354/YNYC%20Photo.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Young New Yorkers Chorus</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Established in 2001, The Young New Yorkers' Chorus (YNYC) brings together the finest choral musicians from the tens of thousands of young people who flock to the city for its excitement, art, and culture. Led by Artistic Director, Alex Canovas, and comprised of a mixed and a treble ensemble, YNYC has the unique pleasure of performing for a large and devoted audience, exposing music lovers to the beauty and transcendent potential of choral music. YNYC also provides a close-knit community for talented singers in their twenties and early thirties. Committed to the growth of new repertoire, YNYC debuts three original works annually through its Competition for Young Composers. Visit us online at <a href="http://ynyc.org/"><span style="color: #103cc0;">ynyc.org</span></a>.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">2nd Place:<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jerome M. Bierschenk<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fort Worth TX<br /></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Voices of Fort Worth</b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgCjbNP0CYUaI11LTa38sarNFD4N44Z1gAri0H88mwJCZXhLYAxIivokZ1UU7syRTIlUvlruqtEDYPqAb9fJ-EOsrrRhgTH2T22Echi6yssb5GQ82wym_CNS4Ia52PUr-E4hs69VLqlGLeNh9-DWxfqwLrNW5wpCvwAumGjGaAYAoIHQ-eTtQ7eBbmPkp2/s1439/Voices%20of%20Fort%20Worth.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1439" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgCjbNP0CYUaI11LTa38sarNFD4N44Z1gAri0H88mwJCZXhLYAxIivokZ1UU7syRTIlUvlruqtEDYPqAb9fJ-EOsrrRhgTH2T22Echi6yssb5GQ82wym_CNS4Ia52PUr-E4hs69VLqlGLeNh9-DWxfqwLrNW5wpCvwAumGjGaAYAoIHQ-eTtQ7eBbmPkp2/w640-h360/Voices%20of%20Fort%20Worth.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Voices of Fort Worth</b></td></tr></tbody></table>VOICES gave its premier performance on May 1, 2012 in conjunction with the Wesleyan Chorale in a concert presented in Martin Hall on the campus of Texas Wesleyan University. Both groups were conducted by Dr. Jerome M. Bierschenk, who was then the Director of Choral Activities at Texas Wesleyan University. Dr. Bierschenk continues to serve as the Artistic Director of VOICES. Entering its 10th concert season, Voices of Fort Worth has gained critical acclaim and garnered praise from its audience members. The ensemble has been an invited choir for the SWACDA Conference, the TCDA Winter Conference, and the 2023 TMEA Convention as a Showcase performer. Voices of Fort Worth has performed in many venues in the DFW area, including performances with the Fort Worth Symphony. VOICES is a consort of highly skilled singers whose vocal blend and exceptional reading skills and musicianship combine to create a unique presentation that spans every musical period from early Renaissance to the 21st century. Specializing in a cappella literature, the vocal chamber ensemble creates the full spectrum of vocal colors ranging from the most intense and dramatic dissonance to the most palliative and soothing consonance. <a href="http://voicesoffortworth.com/">voicesoffortworth.com</a></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">3rd Place:<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">David Mann<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Vienna VA<br /></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Voce Chamber Singers</b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPQzGZxBEoHIwMpgAAZDzEFxkVWSPE7JvIiEBy2bD4V5qXQme9IPnbCg0S2Y6bpV5BnNpfBt4HGm_c3D1hYFzEhdYvgnt8Wc1NCB9G_XDRmW9-po1ZzMRC6MxOqGkkxH8kBUmFgKXDfCzc9OvnTP5srpg769Ym3aHps4kDNDy4kptMSw0y8I0O9OaCkoz/s2992/voce.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1588" data-original-width="2992" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPQzGZxBEoHIwMpgAAZDzEFxkVWSPE7JvIiEBy2bD4V5qXQme9IPnbCg0S2Y6bpV5BnNpfBt4HGm_c3D1hYFzEhdYvgnt8Wc1NCB9G_XDRmW9-po1ZzMRC6MxOqGkkxH8kBUmFgKXDfCzc9OvnTP5srpg769Ym3aHps4kDNDy4kptMSw0y8I0O9OaCkoz/w640-h340/voce.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Voce Chamber Singers</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Hailed by The Washington Post as “Northern Virginia’s premier choral ensemble,” the Voce Chamber Singers are known throughout the DC metropolitan area for dynamic programming and high standards of musical excellence. The ensemble is comprised of music professionals and experienced singers from surrounding communities. Our performances seek to share the transformative power of choral music with audiences throughout the region. Founded in 1989 by Carol Hunter, the group is now led by artistic director, David Mann and performs regularly with keyboard artist, CJ Capen. Voce has gained national recognition for its commitment to commissioning new works by leading American composers. The group premiered its most recent commission, Roland Carter's "Make Some Noise, Get In Trouble" in April 2022.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Finalist Honorable Mention:<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jennifer Scott Miceli<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Huntington NY<br /></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Belle Voci Intergenerational Choral Society </b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8Z7FzhwKW8KelABVKqlVTKNDYEW4khaKMDa0DPqNcW4S_5dn-7cAhY3o-tXRs8nbrL2Eda5Oq0bxJhbC8tOMGMwKHBAmByhAHfM4wFG7dWB1Y43Himkbwy3jfL_RZNppE5j2QdMnjgSZcIK3E8TYvivGDhKfa5qEo3oEPtJOehVROQPNZ7DVDVNH6L-a/s2930/belle%20voci.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1538" data-original-width="2930" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8Z7FzhwKW8KelABVKqlVTKNDYEW4khaKMDa0DPqNcW4S_5dn-7cAhY3o-tXRs8nbrL2Eda5Oq0bxJhbC8tOMGMwKHBAmByhAHfM4wFG7dWB1Y43Himkbwy3jfL_RZNppE5j2QdMnjgSZcIK3E8TYvivGDhKfa5qEo3oEPtJOehVROQPNZ7DVDVNH6L-a/w640-h336/belle%20voci.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Belle Voci Intergenerational Choral Society</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Now celebrating our 19th season, <b>Belle Voci Intergenerational Choral Society </b><a href="https://www.jennifermiceli.com/"><span style="color: #103cc0;">jennifermiceli.com</span></a><b> </b>is a Long Island-based philanthropic treble ensemble comprising professional singers, amateur singers, collegiate singers, school-aged singers, and music teachers with a common mission of supporting cancer prevention and cure through song. An interesting intersection of humanitarianism, musical expression, and academic rigor, Belle Voci is recognized both domestically and internationally having been the topic of local news, academic presentations, book chapters, and prestigious European performance invitations. Founded and directed by Dr. Jennifer Scott Miceli, the ensemble provides a forum for music teacher training, member leadership, and recognition of singers’ unique skill sets. Concert repertoire is carefully programmed for its capacity to elicit a wide range of emotions associated with the cancer journey; we aim to provide a forum where concert goers are free to experience hope, contemplation, prayer, healing, peace, and celebration through music and ritual.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #e06666;">The American Prize in Choral Performance—high school division, 2023</span></h2><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">The American Prize winner:<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Alexander Carr<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Carrollton TX<br /></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Hebron A Cappella Choir</b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Q7qxl199ECc4mX2UtRJZj1ElTaq0t4Ce2FOj-uQ5pkCVHFJUYcb8q0lTJx_BUn_onFmpgp6jA5PQVk_EdlFDVrp2t0nc3by2XGp_B3_zj2aqXgWJl67bZSclfyUaKztLssV4a11rWEP9I5Ay7WQGnc9RsYHQySvNghcP5jFRYVEBMprLRkZteykMCM1S/s6016/DSC_2724_DxO.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Q7qxl199ECc4mX2UtRJZj1ElTaq0t4Ce2FOj-uQ5pkCVHFJUYcb8q0lTJx_BUn_onFmpgp6jA5PQVk_EdlFDVrp2t0nc3by2XGp_B3_zj2aqXgWJl67bZSclfyUaKztLssV4a11rWEP9I5Ay7WQGnc9RsYHQySvNghcP5jFRYVEBMprLRkZteykMCM1S/w640-h428/DSC_2724_DxO.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Hebron A Cappella Choir</b></td></tr></tbody></table>The Hebron High School Choral Department consists of approximately 200 students in six ensembles: A Cappella Choir, Belle Chanson, Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, HawkAppella, and Harmony Show Choir. The Hebron Choirs earn consistent Texas UIL Sweepstakes awards and honors at festivals. The Hebron A Cappella Choir is the flagship ensemble at Hebron High School. The Hebron A Cappella Choir consistently earns UIL Sweepstakes Awards and “Best in Class” at Festivals. This ensembles has also been invited to perform at the TMEA Convention in 2015 and 2023<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">. </span>All students in the HHS Choir are encouraged daily to be the best versions of themselves. They work in their ensembles to build a respectful, inclusive, and uplifting rehearsal environment. Members displayed high levels personal integrity, self-discipline, dedication and devotion to the music and to each other. Through multiple quarantines, non-traditional rehearsal spaces, and an ever-changing schedule they continued to make great music. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">2nd Place:<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dolores Noel<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cypress TX<br /></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Bridgeland HS Treble Choir </b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb1WTR3AuIL1MlgATbi5SKvytTAAbQQyWpeknPAgMwutKaJAwsEl_8GnF1fCTlPWFSWhSZ-hJPtUuyIInps6Qz57HLfUNnGIP2XRMswRv0cYbL5J7gsrvfRUkQev2sMJ1Ocfb9z3EpOZRmoFZjCE_xbS4N1L9DGsdzuUxBvNm6_I4n0KtzwDOM2UlE3yoa/s2048/Bridgeland%20High%20School%20Treble%20Choir.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb1WTR3AuIL1MlgATbi5SKvytTAAbQQyWpeknPAgMwutKaJAwsEl_8GnF1fCTlPWFSWhSZ-hJPtUuyIInps6Qz57HLfUNnGIP2XRMswRv0cYbL5J7gsrvfRUkQev2sMJ1Ocfb9z3EpOZRmoFZjCE_xbS4N1L9DGsdzuUxBvNm6_I4n0KtzwDOM2UlE3yoa/w640-h480/Bridgeland%20High%20School%20Treble%20Choir.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Bridgeland HS Treble Choir</b></td></tr></tbody></table>The Bridgeland High School Treble Choir is the Varsity Treble Choir in the BHS Choir program and is made up of primarily upperclassmen. Students in this ensemble come from the Varsity Mixed Choir. The Bridgeland High School Choir Program is a growing program in a school that is only 5 years old and as such the 2021-2022 school year is the first year for this ensemble’s existence. This ensemble performs numerous styles and genres from the classical choral repertoire to modern a cappella and show choir literature. For more information on the Bridgeland High School Choir program please visit <a href="http://bridgelandchoir.com/"><span style="color: #103cc0;">bridgelandchoir.com</span></a>. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">3rd Place (there was a tie):<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Alexander Carr<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Carrollton TX<br /></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Hebron Combined Varsity Treble Choir </b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSaEJ_9btbcGtGe-qIgZP12Ea_hUHy8SooQ0VuPZ3dGncbxW8IKL20CjuIXy8k_10egha7xPFlyeGzNjtfANHlKG8wKix8GiFnhpbnwwt08J3Y20EquxN7JGeWf-YZIu-IB1aB4Ev18mWICEa_ces59fnqbk0_9mGyTUngR2SXVSnY8ea5Np5GZYB07_QI/s2040/hebron%20treble.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1730" data-original-width="2040" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSaEJ_9btbcGtGe-qIgZP12Ea_hUHy8SooQ0VuPZ3dGncbxW8IKL20CjuIXy8k_10egha7xPFlyeGzNjtfANHlKG8wKix8GiFnhpbnwwt08J3Y20EquxN7JGeWf-YZIu-IB1aB4Ev18mWICEa_ces59fnqbk0_9mGyTUngR2SXVSnY8ea5Np5GZYB07_QI/w640-h542/hebron%20treble.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Hebron Combined Varsity Treble Choir</b></td></tr></tbody></table>The Hebron High School Choral Department consists of approximately 200 students in six ensembles: A Cappella Choir, Belle Chanson, Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, HawkAppella, and Harmony Show Choir. The Hebron Choirs earn consistent Texas UIL Sweepstakes awards and honors at festivals. <span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>The Hebron Varsity Treble Choir is an auditioned group comprised of members from the A Cappella Varsity Mixed Choir and the Belle Chanson Treble Choir. Members of the HHS Varsity Treble Choir are immersed in the active choral program and are also actively involved with other school activities such as band, theatre, cross country, track, tennis, swimming, volleyball, drill team, Student Council, National Honor Society, Key Club, and other organizations and volunteer programs. In the choir room, students are encouraged daily to be the best versions of themselves. They work in their ensembles to build a respectful, inclusive, and uplifting rehearsal environment where all can live up to their potential.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">3rd Place (there was a tie):<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Wes Davis <br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Flower Mound TX<br /></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Celesti Varsity Treble Choir </b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9U0wr4VWaBd9QyeCfXWwonohzRdg19Xnu4nk1qz41ickAxwrGZGi9KAQC70uhF-ihxNt_GGNkGWknlA65vo4yC8pnTshrFhioFEqG6u_UcsIsMWvlrr4nan8pkzUW_eZjP_C0J4io_M3nncAw9agoHvgd9rVaCvctUMFMsu_swkDIz50KSjNuKsoSMC-K/s2682/celesti.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1466" data-original-width="2682" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9U0wr4VWaBd9QyeCfXWwonohzRdg19Xnu4nk1qz41ickAxwrGZGi9KAQC70uhF-ihxNt_GGNkGWknlA65vo4yC8pnTshrFhioFEqG6u_UcsIsMWvlrr4nan8pkzUW_eZjP_C0J4io_M3nncAw9agoHvgd9rVaCvctUMFMsu_swkDIz50KSjNuKsoSMC-K/w640-h350/celesti.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Celesti Varsity Treble Choir</b></td></tr></tbody></table>The Celesti Varsity Treble Choir, under the direction of Wes Davis, is an auditioned ensemble of juniors and seniors at Marcus High School. The ensemble consistently performs at festivals across the country, having been selected for the Texas Music Educators Convention in 2012 and the American Choral Directors National convention in 2013. The ensemble strives to bring the music of diverse cultures to the forefront and seeks to broaden their understanding of the world they are a part of in the process. </span></div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><h2><span style="color: #e06666;">The American Prize in Choral Performance—youth choir division, 2023</span></h2></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The American Prize winner:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Joel Duarte</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Grand Prairie TX</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy Singers</b></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjDt1OnoE7w-sSF20oO2g6GMKyEhdiSeg60d8Ajtzim5JOHyVy3qHUypEmlO6cIe5XtxhyphenhyphenF-0mu5yMJMQ1wUBolQg6HfDH2vcF-aw2mrk-cGI34j85J1iEgzrw3u-zLlYHo8aqsg536RiT5wpqrTQBWfdUcxd7hg-9bp79IpGUc02gS7OPE3uRZ3vDVEEx/s4032/IMG_2171.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjDt1OnoE7w-sSF20oO2g6GMKyEhdiSeg60d8Ajtzim5JOHyVy3qHUypEmlO6cIe5XtxhyphenhyphenF-0mu5yMJMQ1wUBolQg6HfDH2vcF-aw2mrk-cGI34j85J1iEgzrw3u-zLlYHo8aqsg536RiT5wpqrTQBWfdUcxd7hg-9bp79IpGUc02gS7OPE3uRZ3vDVEEx/w640-h480/IMG_2171.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy Singers</b></td></tr></tbody></table>The Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy Singers, conducted by Joel Duarte, is extremely proud of the GPFAA Singers journey! This ensemble consists of advanced 9th-12th grade vocalists. In the tenth year of existence, the energy, talent, and dedication of the students have exploded. The program has not only nurtured the lives of the students, but it has consistently ranked among the top choirs across the nation. This ensemble has won numerous best-in-class, overall outstanding, and grand champions awards nationwide. In spring 2019, this group was invited to perform at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention (TMEA) as one of the 6A invited choirs, and the Treble Singers were invited to perform for the American Choral Director Association (ACDA). In the Spring of 2020, these singers continued sharing their music with an invitation to the Southwestern American Choral Directors Association (SWACDA) Conference. The program has been recognized as back-to-back 2019, and 2020 Mark of Excellence National Winners, 2020-2021 2nd Place American Choral Prize Winners, 2021 GRAMMY Museum Signature School Award Recipient, 2022 Mark of Excellence National Winners (Tenor-Bass), and 2022 Mark of Excellence Commended Winners (Mixed). Their latest accomplishment is that the Tenor-Basses have been invited to perform for the American Choral Director Association (ACDA) in the Spring of 2023. Joel Duarte, high school director, and Alexis Galindo, middle school director, join together to lead the Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy Vocal Music strand. This is a team of talented, driven, and exceedingly kind students who are passionate about music and can’t wait for others to experience their passion. </span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2nd Place:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Mark Doerries</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>South Bend IN</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Notre Dame Children's Choir</b></span></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTuW9AAcCvVRxrpyZzP-5juXdRaoIGw6sQPNSROGmfItJUL8zTAkbYXFQhQGA7OEy5ZJiEv0b0W7FoAUnt7TyaBVRoI3AlJoTyhauSrtVruhY8dJHnaRKpEpmBcsvJ6X68MJXb2O0393BC_xU2q3ZnwRUEKHA47I9Hp-69782z4lrOD8Uvxo2Ivim-pWx/s6192/Notre%20Dame%20Children's%20Choir%20Chamber%20Choir%20Media%20Photo.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="6192" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTuW9AAcCvVRxrpyZzP-5juXdRaoIGw6sQPNSROGmfItJUL8zTAkbYXFQhQGA7OEy5ZJiEv0b0W7FoAUnt7TyaBVRoI3AlJoTyhauSrtVruhY8dJHnaRKpEpmBcsvJ6X68MJXb2O0393BC_xU2q3ZnwRUEKHA47I9Hp-69782z4lrOD8Uvxo2Ivim-pWx/w640-h426/Notre%20Dame%20Children's%20Choir%20Chamber%20Choir%20Media%20Photo.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Notre Dame Children's Choir</b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;">Founded in 2013, <i>The American Organist</i> describes the<b> </b>Notre Dame Children as having “clarity of diction, vocal blend and balance, rhythmic sensitivity, flexibility, and precision.” The ensemble recently toured to Los Angeles, New York City, and the United Kingdom, performed for the Hymn Society, Organ Historical Society, National Pastoral Musicians’ Association, Indiana Music Education Association, and led a TEDx Talk<i>.</i> Their recording, <i>O Emmanuel,</i> debuted at #1 on <i>Billboards’ Chart of Traditional Classical Music </i>in 2016<i>.</i> In 2018 the choir released <i>Arturo Sandoval’s Christmas at Notre Dame </i>with ten-time Grammy winning trumpeter, which debuted at #1 on <i>Billboard’s Chart of Jazz Music</i>. In 2019 the choir performed a sold-out Christmas concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall. The ensemble is published through the <i>Notre Dame Children’s Choir Choral Series</i> and they record on the Universal Music, Arsis, and Dynamic Catholic labels. Dr. Mark Doerries is the Artistic Director; <a href="http://sma.nd.edu/"><span style="color: #103cc0;">sma.nd.edu</span></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span></span><p></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3rd Place:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Jackson Hill</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Fort Worth TX</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Children's Choir of Texas</b></span></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqqSjcssqLkfDkCmRzRpILe0MTTcXij7PQQfzAHpR14u0uERdkjDrHb_TMK3F4Z78ZEbqC3TkWccSqI_l1R1qV7NjZt9o_Xs-kYit80FlQL3Qg36Gm5FqeIxntO6SxP_23NLgyTbhOIUEZSEM2pDM4fTrsWxLcvya-BbAGFDaiimueUwinvmk8ASlujDt3/s2238/texas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1338" data-original-width="2238" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqqSjcssqLkfDkCmRzRpILe0MTTcXij7PQQfzAHpR14u0uERdkjDrHb_TMK3F4Z78ZEbqC3TkWccSqI_l1R1qV7NjZt9o_Xs-kYit80FlQL3Qg36Gm5FqeIxntO6SxP_23NLgyTbhOIUEZSEM2pDM4fTrsWxLcvya-BbAGFDaiimueUwinvmk8ASlujDt3/w640-h382/texas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Children's Choir of Texas</b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;">Children’s Choir of Texas (CCT) was founded in 2001 as a select ensemble of 5th and 6th grade students at the Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts. CCT rehearses daily and focuses on developing age-appropriate vocal technique, confidence in music literacy, and an appreciation of a variety of musical styles. It is the ensemble’s mission to develop thoughtful, independent, well-rounded musicians who have the passion and skills to become lifelong music makers and advocates. CCT has been invited to perform at the Texas Music Educators Association convention (2011, 2015), the Southwest ACDA conference (2016, 2020), the National ACDA conference (2021), and enjoys regularly collaborating with arts organizations from across the Dallas-Fort Worth area. </span><p></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Finalist Honorable Mention:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Darren Dailey</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Jacksonville FL</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Jacksonville Children's Chorus </b></span></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_MBOznWozSi-Uvyv-pAzwMM3tOhfIjM-fl1C4WVwzmN714zGEjP0cGThgFzDTZkl3_73RRvhd1ADG9O7HIc3DoKwka5TCHF7VHR-06OgJ647cfXaxnh6oGGgAsuo1XKZ3xoCVrEMMf95zTfHQbo9p9AD2MwIbbIVrn8gPvsty8nBycW7HB5gVEjFGK0Hp/s2048/Jacksonville%20Children's%20Chorus.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_MBOznWozSi-Uvyv-pAzwMM3tOhfIjM-fl1C4WVwzmN714zGEjP0cGThgFzDTZkl3_73RRvhd1ADG9O7HIc3DoKwka5TCHF7VHR-06OgJ647cfXaxnh6oGGgAsuo1XKZ3xoCVrEMMf95zTfHQbo9p9AD2MwIbbIVrn8gPvsty8nBycW7HB5gVEjFGK0Hp/w640-h426/Jacksonville%20Children's%20Chorus.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Jacksonville Children's Chorus </b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;">The mission of the Jacksonville Children’s Chorus is to provide a high-quality, choral music education for children of diverse backgrounds, fostering teamwork, self-discipline, accomplishment and pride while filling an important cultural need in the community and sharing the beauty of the choral art form through artistically excellent performances. <span style="background-color: white;">The Chorus’ growth, from 16 voices in 1995 to over 1,000 in year-long choirs and outreach programs today, illustrates its continued impact on our entire community here in Northeast Florida. Over 44% of JCC students receive scholarships to cover tuition costs, and each year the need for scholarships exceeds the funds available. Despite these challenges, it is the JCC’s policy to turn no child away who wishes to sing.</span></span><p></p></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><i>*** </i><br /><i><br /></i><i>Congratulations!</i><b><br /></b><br /></div><br />davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10142661857434106176noreply@blogger.com0Danbury, CT, USA41.394817 -73.454011113.084583163821158 -108.6102611 69.705050836178856 -38.2977611tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903769510370841145.post-53146049090982343172023-11-10T17:00:00.001-05:002023-11-10T17:00:00.134-05:00National winners: BANDS, 2023<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidjqWd5m3Tt12rJVdkg_Asoxo47dwUuTBL_7biDaZ09RZeRbJQ9THP725taWwiqwQ1RdiY97L05w_UfjOGUiK0DQrhJpGa1onYDogNTEKTB681aBMzs_npyLCp2ILtC7K5RNhu5FLEIOA/s1600/CBnew.png" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidjqWd5m3Tt12rJVdkg_Asoxo47dwUuTBL_7biDaZ09RZeRbJQ9THP725taWwiqwQ1RdiY97L05w_UfjOGUiK0DQrhJpGa1onYDogNTEKTB681aBMzs_npyLCp2ILtC7K5RNhu5FLEIOA/s200/CBnew.png" width="200" /></a></p><p><b>The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts</b>, David (Volosin) Katz, founder and chief judge, is honored to announce winner, runners-up and honorable mention bands/wind ensembles for 2023. Congratulations! </p>Questions, or to make us aware of any misprints in the listings below, please email: <a href="mailto:theamericanprize@gmail.com">theamericanprize@gmail.com</a> <div><span><span><p><span><b>The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts</b> is the nation's most comprehensive series of contests in the performing arts. The American Prize is unique in scope and structure, designed to recognize and reward the best performing artists, directors, ensembles and composers in the United States at professional, college/university, community and high school levels, based on submitted recordings. Now in its thirteenth year, <span>The American Prize was founded in 2010 and is awarded annually in many areas of the performing arts. Thousands of artists from all fifty states have derived benefit from their participation in the contests of The American Prize, </span>representing literally hundreds of communities and arts organizations across the nation.<span> </span><span> </span>(<a href="http://theamericanprize.org">http://theamericanprize.org</a>)</span></p></span></span><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #e06666;">The American Prize in </span><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><b>Band/Wind Ensemble </b></span>Performance—college/university division, </span><span style="color: #e06666;">2023</span></h2><div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>"Surely one of the most competitive contests in the history of this particular division—truly exceptional ensembles." —DK</b></i></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The American Prize winner:</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The University of Kansas Wind Ensemble</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Paul W. Popiel</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Lawrence KS</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizaQIGbq_wG7h0dKZKyOqurKZy7oT9LDu2RVggoxvVjRXXfP0c9FSbVTYALKBh-XKW2PN7GNWbMzU8mE93GPo73p1LWyZRayCNVGFHNFfVVTRDsPEd17935yn0yqs6wI2Vo75gTF2jnVhj9pfYoh4mTBsVPXBC29MFAgExPj6FQu1YaUvdJw-lW1794dOw/s1200/Kansas.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizaQIGbq_wG7h0dKZKyOqurKZy7oT9LDu2RVggoxvVjRXXfP0c9FSbVTYALKBh-XKW2PN7GNWbMzU8mE93GPo73p1LWyZRayCNVGFHNFfVVTRDsPEd17935yn0yqs6wI2Vo75gTF2jnVhj9pfYoh4mTBsVPXBC29MFAgExPj6FQu1YaUvdJw-lW1794dOw/w640-h426/Kansas.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">The University of Kansas Wind Ensemble</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Described by <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/30/arts/music/university-of-kansas-wind-ensemble-at-carnegie-hall.html">the New York Times</a> as “one of America’s most esteemed concert bands,” the University of Kansas Wind Ensemble is the premier wind band at the University of Kansas and is conducted by Paul W. Popiel, director of bands. Popiel is only the seventh person to hold this position in the band's storied 125-year history. The Wind Ensemble’s Carnegie Hall debut in 2013 was described by <a href="https://www.feastofmusic.com/feast_of_music/2013/03/university-of-kansas-wind-ensemble-at-carnegie-hall.html">Feast of Music</a> as “showing amazing chops in their transitions and an impressive range of dynamics” and by the New York Times as “performing with polish, assurance and copious spirit, eliciting a rousing ovation.” The Wind Ensemble performed for President Obama 2015, the national biennial convention of the College Band Directors National Association in 2017, at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 2018, at the national convention of the American Bandmasters Association in 2023. <a href="https://music.ku.edu/people/paul-popiel"><span style="color: #103cc0;">https://music.ku.edu/people/paul-popiel</span></a> <a href="https://music.ku.edu/band/kuwe"><span style="color: #103cc0;">https://music.ku.edu/band/kuwe</span></a></span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2nd Place (there was a tie):</b></span></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>San Jose State University Wind Ensemble</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>David Vickerman </b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Morgan Hill CA</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAMeRnw4FPDlAp-0mT5EkZcqwONwOthOlR1Po8fpzMLi8EanUOAqXz79BGOmpm51YBS1BDrx_TUn0qwLZgPcznV8Y4foXhrUAgcJPL_VHdi5f9Syk42WG0eA8RNRcSVsB3uAQeeXZDXwDJTrUmUmC3yIRGa_f8UW3XgTGbcjFmA9NLkdw0wN7xz511CUaQ/s5472/SJSU%20Wind%20Ensemble%202019-2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAMeRnw4FPDlAp-0mT5EkZcqwONwOthOlR1Po8fpzMLi8EanUOAqXz79BGOmpm51YBS1BDrx_TUn0qwLZgPcznV8Y4foXhrUAgcJPL_VHdi5f9Syk42WG0eA8RNRcSVsB3uAQeeXZDXwDJTrUmUmC3yIRGa_f8UW3XgTGbcjFmA9NLkdw0wN7xz511CUaQ/w640-h426/SJSU%20Wind%20Ensemble%202019-2020.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">San Jose State University Wind Ensemble</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Directed by Dr. David Vickerman, the San José State University Wind Ensemble includes the finest woodwind, brass, and percussion students in the School of Music and Dance. Dr. Vickerman consistently seeks to expose his students and audiences to the highest quality of music written for wind instruments, ranging from band classics to the most recent prize winning composers. Through the rehearsal and performance of a diverse repertoire, students are exposed to a wide variety of compositional techniques, rehearsal processes and expressive possibilities. In addition to numerous on-campus concerts, the Wind Ensemble regularly tours throughout California and the Western states, and has regularly performed at the California Association of Music Educators State and College Band Directors National Association Regional Conferences.</span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2nd Place (there was a tie):</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Youngstown State University Wind Ensemble</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Michael S. Butler</b></span></div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Warren OH</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCQyzYwK548BNuE9UVq19otAL8Y_JLS693587nJWNU_N9pcNiPU082f6_wy-6dtSiL0IAy4NHlzj9pwOeSiV6q-2Ovg9ikAlFMnyPqt7ImDQENRE13KspXSZhuKW2kAiyBJw7NXa37v1TTSTVLIOafe3kTRTobpPluYNm09jijQZIoR4QtGLw_YJCeuxG/s1024/YSUWindEnsemble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCQyzYwK548BNuE9UVq19otAL8Y_JLS693587nJWNU_N9pcNiPU082f6_wy-6dtSiL0IAy4NHlzj9pwOeSiV6q-2Ovg9ikAlFMnyPqt7ImDQENRE13KspXSZhuKW2kAiyBJw7NXa37v1TTSTVLIOafe3kTRTobpPluYNm09jijQZIoR4QtGLw_YJCeuxG/w640-h426/YSUWindEnsemble.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Youngstown State University Wind Ensemble</b></td></tr></tbody></table>The Youngstown State University Wind Ensemble, directed by Dr. Michael S. Butler, is the premier concert band in the Dana School of Music. The ensemble performs a wide range of music, including contemporary literature and standard repertoire, to ensure students receive exposure to the finest music written for the medium. The wind band program at YSU has a rich history of collaboration with musical artists, including some of the most distinguished composers, conductors, and performers, to provide transformative experiences for our musical community. The Wind Ensemble has performed at numerous prestigious venues throughout the United States, including repeated performances at the OMEA Conference, CBDNA Regional and National Conferences, MENC National Conference, ASBDA National Conference, and the world-renowned Carnegie Hall.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3rd Place (there was a three-way tie):</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The Augustana Band </b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Christopher Unger </b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Sioux Falls SD</b></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSnthk4Oxy-881Ulq3PHacySozHLspVeB_CbFYsVLYO6TBjo-p35ewwu9lfBwPI7FPHNph4QprY6okWYYsuYyI5hN6lA0qMEUC9KdKWN4qCLhH_xl2GVYG2qFXltboanSuBnzm0tf4kW2dE_d00Q6DPFkblpYL2GB0CxW1BnPIfMOGG6oTZfJaS9WS5Xn/s1198/augustana.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1198" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSnthk4Oxy-881Ulq3PHacySozHLspVeB_CbFYsVLYO6TBjo-p35ewwu9lfBwPI7FPHNph4QprY6okWYYsuYyI5hN6lA0qMEUC9KdKWN4qCLhH_xl2GVYG2qFXltboanSuBnzm0tf4kW2dE_d00Q6DPFkblpYL2GB0CxW1BnPIfMOGG6oTZfJaS9WS5Xn/w640-h342/augustana.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">The Augustana Band </b></td></tr></tbody></table>The Augustana Band, an auditioned 45 piece wind ensemble from Augustana University (SD), is recognized as one of the finest concert organizations in South Dakota. The ensemble has performed extensively at the state, national and international level in concert and as featured performers at a variety of regional music education conferences. The band recently celebrated its 125th anniversary in its 2021/2022 concert season and will travel to Spain in January of 2023 on a 15 day concert tour.</span></div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dr. Christopher Unger was named the 5th conductor of the Augustana Band and began his tenure at the university in September 2015. Previously, Unger was the interim director of bands at the University of British Columbia. Prior to his appointment at U.B.C., Unger served as the assistant conductor of both the Eastman Wind Orchestra and the Eastman Wind Ensemble. At Eastman, Unger was honored with the Frederick Fennell Fellowship for Advanced Conducting Study, the Evan Whallon Conducting Award and the prestigious Walter Hagen Conducting Prize.His role at Eastman provided him with the opportunity to act as a producer on the Eastman Wind Ensemble’s 2013 release on Avie Records titled Stravinsky-Octet/L’Histoire du Soldat. In addition to conducting the wind ensembles, Unger worked with the Brass Guild, the Trumpet Ensemble and the Graduate Chamber Orchestra.</span></div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3rd Place (there was a three-way tie):</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>BYU Wind Symphony </b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Shawn Smith </b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Provo UT</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxhF5gTuQx_bOLg3D3Gjlr4n1-1kEqPuJMNfS9i2mGalKjVuPDApOnkpuVbkNMFsE_RxOlbr1zT8Yf9Z7ycEBvpsBzUKg0XXjRQa_neirOVP4PMMDW1HxJ8eL-j8y5mqeQyxUx9NOevQ2LNz4EHWPosjE-dLskDvVt1-ngtOYrC9U6ZajwpPix6i8fvhB/s4680/BYU%20Wind%20Symphony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4680" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxhF5gTuQx_bOLg3D3Gjlr4n1-1kEqPuJMNfS9i2mGalKjVuPDApOnkpuVbkNMFsE_RxOlbr1zT8Yf9Z7ycEBvpsBzUKg0XXjRQa_neirOVP4PMMDW1HxJ8eL-j8y5mqeQyxUx9NOevQ2LNz4EHWPosjE-dLskDvVt1-ngtOYrC9U6ZajwpPix6i8fvhB/w640-h426/BYU%20Wind%20Symphony.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />The BYU Wind Symphony, under the direction of Shawn Smith, is the premiere performing ensemble for winds and percussion in the Brigham Young University School of Music. The Wind Symphony maintains an active performance schedule with programming that incorporates a wide variety of traditional and new music and is active in the commissioning of new music for band. In addition to regular concerts on the BYU campus, the Wind Symphony has been honored to receive invitations to perform at the Music Educators National Conference, national and divisional conferences of the College Band Directors Association, and the American Bandmasters Association National Conference. The BYU Wind Symphony is a highly active touring ensemble and has presented concerts throughout the United States and in over twenty countries – including China, Japan, South Korea, Mongolia, Australia, New Zealand, and throughout Europe. </span><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3rd Place (there was a three-way tie):</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>SD State University Wind Symphony </b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Jacob Wallace </b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Brookings SD </b> </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTWwXsVHLNkh6pPTiGEhntdUfZ9oeguWy718Cq0vjVtQpKC1ekFIKlGw4O1xcen8pi7caTOilu5a0YvHuC_XyvnROL1Y9AJEFvyFi7XHaFPXDzxP1crtJ1FcecW8N9VR0RviO9q9yTfsCJb_s0jWaguAYFtKuEAHXCa3yce1J5jomZKxprI6XbHxu0GmX/s5129/SD%20State.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3419" data-original-width="5129" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTWwXsVHLNkh6pPTiGEhntdUfZ9oeguWy718Cq0vjVtQpKC1ekFIKlGw4O1xcen8pi7caTOilu5a0YvHuC_XyvnROL1Y9AJEFvyFi7XHaFPXDzxP1crtJ1FcecW8N9VR0RviO9q9yTfsCJb_s0jWaguAYFtKuEAHXCa3yce1J5jomZKxprI6XbHxu0GmX/w640-h426/SD%20State.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">SD State University Wind Symphony</b></td></tr></tbody></table>The SDSU Wind Symphony is the elite concert band of South Dakota State University. A competitive, auditioned group, this ensemble is one of the most respected wind ensembles in the region. The ensemble’s mission is to further the impact of wind band music on the upper Midwest through excellence in performance of the highest quality repertoire including music of the Renaissance, world premieres, and everything chronologically in between. The Wind Symphony is particularly dedicated toward representation of compositional voices from a diverse and varied background, and has been lauded for its contributions towards inclusive practices. Annual touring of this group has taken it throughout the nation and its regional prominence is reflected in its standing invitation to perform as the featured keynote ensemble by the South Dakota Bandmasters Association at their annual conference in February.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><h2><span style="color: #e06666;">The American Prize in </span><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><b>Band/Wind Ensemble </b></span>Performance—community division, </span><span style="color: #e06666;">2023</span></h2><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The American Prize winner:</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>San Antonio Harmonie Ensemble</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Brett A. Richardson</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>San Antonio TX</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJZVI5qvZUoOQTG2WxpRd5t3KpHE3_5n_RX8ZUyJAej97FjeIi_mjzAH9gRFmk9Zc7IhBymLX9Ob_Kf785oCLbMRJhrW3JHE_YZk0Pf9WhG9ehz1e2Q8c05GMn8FtI8Mbg6aWvOJsufCWSESy3Rzp6RPFfKv-RYhIcPHIw8NzxiYLv2Je_7urMCsXH6DM/s1946/brett.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="1946" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJZVI5qvZUoOQTG2WxpRd5t3KpHE3_5n_RX8ZUyJAej97FjeIi_mjzAH9gRFmk9Zc7IhBymLX9Ob_Kf785oCLbMRJhrW3JHE_YZk0Pf9WhG9ehz1e2Q8c05GMn8FtI8Mbg6aWvOJsufCWSESy3Rzp6RPFfKv-RYhIcPHIw8NzxiYLv2Je_7urMCsXH6DM/w640-h270/brett.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">San Antonio Harmonie Ensemble</b></td></tr></tbody></table>The San Antonio Harmonie Ensemble <i>(SAHarmonie)</i> is a group of like-minded musicians with a passion for performing Classical <i>harmoniemusik</i> and chamber music at the highest level. All of the performers and conductors call San Antonio home and are proud to share their talents with the Alamo City. <i>Learn more at </i><a href="http://saharmonie.org/"><span style="color: #103cc0;"><i>saharmonie.org</i></span></a><i>.</i></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></b></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></b></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b style="font-family: inherit;">2nd Place:</b></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Five Lakes Silver Band </b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Christopher Ward</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>West Bloomfield MI</b></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5jIRQ4lyGe7j6h60Mxbn4myeRP2F74Hupc8cxOKxykeHNGweiRyYxbxYZedI59LYAj_Qz1N27bjUrE9DOExQnv6S2Ai_NVtlF-vKohx8z8IXfD5DFwxa5rof9C6LHoGL0ylQywKR36Ki5QZkpIP3HjwxmnNM5YdIcjyUl4bGYHy3aK3QDn2lL6PNKmRo/s925/5lakes.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="923" data-original-width="925" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5jIRQ4lyGe7j6h60Mxbn4myeRP2F74Hupc8cxOKxykeHNGweiRyYxbxYZedI59LYAj_Qz1N27bjUrE9DOExQnv6S2Ai_NVtlF-vKohx8z8IXfD5DFwxa5rof9C6LHoGL0ylQywKR36Ki5QZkpIP3HjwxmnNM5YdIcjyUl4bGYHy3aK3QDn2lL6PNKmRo/w640-h638/5lakes.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Five Lakes Silver Band</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Christopher Ward became the Musical Director of the Five Lakes Silver Band in July of 2019. Hemoved to Michigan from New York with his family in March of 2018 to become the Director of Music and Gospel Arts for the Eastern Michigan Division of the Salvation Army. As part of his responsibilities, he is the conductor of the Eastern Michigan Divisional Band and is the founder and conductor of the Eastern Michigan Divisional Choir. Christopher also serves on the North American Brass Band Association Board of Directors, plays cornet in the Brass Band of Battle Creek, and was signed as a conducting artist for Work of Art Custom Batons in 2021. Prior to his appointment in Michigan, Christopher served as an Assistant Music Director for the Salvation Army in Greater New York for 16 years, and concurrently served as conductor for several ensembles, including the Greater New York Youth Band and the Hempstead Citadel Band. He was a member of the New York Staff Band for 23 years, 11 of those as its Eb Soprano Cornet Soloist. Christopher has performed or conducted in 22 different countries, and in venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Brooklyn Tabernacle, Royal Festival Hall, The Royal Albert Hall and Buckingham Palace. He has had the privilege of performing with the New York Philharmonic, The Canadian Brass, The Kings Singers and Sir Elton John. Christopher received his formal music training at New York&#39;s Mannes College of Music and The State University of New York - Purchase, where he received degrees in Fine Arts of Music &amp; Trumpet Performance. He is currently studying conducting with Professor David King.<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.fivelakessilverband.com">www.fivelakessilverband.com</a></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3rd Place (there was a tie):</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>First Coast Wind Symphony</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Artie Clifton </b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Jacksonville FL</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7KB-dRVDr2cZK2tS1-LA2kK6ztr1rkvdc69oBiPe2pKgRRhQ3xw5MPa57oeuLHqcZ6_oWRUFsqHZIm6Iy39FnpaRIOCatKMhZOREoTsm13ShgjKjYCQmW4WYErTJf-EFcamRokq6qGMYWAXzoe4qWz-TbG1s6x9umhfAxMR-IzrPA_6GNYOIOYXVSOjKN/s4198/First%20Coast%20Wind%20Symphony%20Photo%20for%20The%20American%20Prize%20Application.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2139" data-original-width="4198" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7KB-dRVDr2cZK2tS1-LA2kK6ztr1rkvdc69oBiPe2pKgRRhQ3xw5MPa57oeuLHqcZ6_oWRUFsqHZIm6Iy39FnpaRIOCatKMhZOREoTsm13ShgjKjYCQmW4WYErTJf-EFcamRokq6qGMYWAXzoe4qWz-TbG1s6x9umhfAxMR-IzrPA_6GNYOIOYXVSOjKN/w640-h326/First%20Coast%20Wind%20Symphony%20Photo%20for%20The%20American%20Prize%20Application.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">First Coast Wind Symphony</b></td></tr></tbody></table>The First Coast Wind Symphony is an all-volunteer community music organization located in Jacksonville, Florida. The group was founded in 1990 as the First Coast Wind Ensemble and is registered as a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Its mission is to serve as a cultural resource by providing outstanding performances of quality wind music in the greater Jacksonville, Florida area. The ensemble regularly performs with 60 players. Programs range from classical to popular band music, marches, chamber music and new works. The ensemble achieved national recognition after acclaimed performances in 1995 and in 2003 at the National Conventions of the Association of Concert Bands. The wind symphony has produced three CDs and a DVD, commissioned new works, established a guest composer series and a concerto competition for high school and collegiate musicians. The group has completed two European performance tours - to Austria in 2017 and a tour of Switzerland, Germany and France in 2022.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.fcwinds.org/"><span style="font-family: inherit;">www.fcwinds.org</span></a></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3rd Place (there was a tie):</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Wisconsin Symphonic Winds</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Devin Otto</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Oshkosh WI</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20xa08A_SS1AwQvEJ7Eg8yfJu2HVbYgVpg-cm1YyH-nmgXcBK2rVUPPxOZipl0BWS9C8qc6gf6HI-fG9HdTG7cMQcl4J3yPovpf7w1YMfnmCltkkH_DFcRyVg3eQA3GnNPVe_gB4b2J2Vfy6i_HrAfOuN9UBGaN3GI6bS1cwRXjKdSFgfQlVNLqhmh38m/s2457/Otto%20Headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1319" data-original-width="2457" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20xa08A_SS1AwQvEJ7Eg8yfJu2HVbYgVpg-cm1YyH-nmgXcBK2rVUPPxOZipl0BWS9C8qc6gf6HI-fG9HdTG7cMQcl4J3yPovpf7w1YMfnmCltkkH_DFcRyVg3eQA3GnNPVe_gB4b2J2Vfy6i_HrAfOuN9UBGaN3GI6bS1cwRXjKdSFgfQlVNLqhmh38m/w640-h344/Otto%20Headshot.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Wisconsin Symphonic Winds / Devin Otto</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Founded in 2004, the Wisconsin Symphonic Winds is a high-level adult group that strives to provide cultural enrichment for the communities of the Fox Valley region of Wisconsin. Through generous support of local schools and the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, the group has performed concerts during the summers for nearly 20 years. The Wisconsin Symphonic Winds has been invited to perform at the prestigious Green Lake Festival of Music, the Wisconsin Music Educators Association Conference, and the Wisconsin Concert Band Association Conference. It is a testament to the quality of the musical experience and the commitment of the members that many of the musicians from the inaugural 2004 season continue to perform with the group to this day.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Director of Bands at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Dr. Devin Otto is a versatile musician who enjoys an active career as a conductor and performer. Committed to music education at all levels, Dr. Otto is in demand as a guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator, and presenter if a variety of musical genres. His ongoing research in conducting pedagogy resulted in presentations at the 2013 and 2019 National Conferences of the College Band Directors National Association and an article published in the <i>CBDNA Journal</i>. Dr. Otto is also published in the <i>Journal of Band Research,</i> and additional engagements as a clinician and presenter include the CBDNA North Central Region Conference, the International Society for Music Education Conference, the Midwest Clinic. Dr. Otto holds the Doctor of Musical Arts in Wind Conducting and Literature degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder, where he was a student of Allan McMurray. </span></p></div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><h2><span style="color: #e06666;">The American Prize in </span><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><b>Band/Wind Ensemble </b></span>Performance—high school division, </span><span style="color: #e06666;">2023</span></h2><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The American Prize winner:</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Kent State Youth Winds </b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Wendy Matthews</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Hudson OH</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbafGOJ5_pV7sYDIf3D6jLTRrQ5odx4VihW7kfwA_8iA_i40TSI3P3D6iFJ2aWDGnuXHHcKVeTEKEgjxR4Jdb4pMUmKpEMneDp5cS695yNLF8cKXaetKK1ZjjmOYdMIKLmc4x2TJdbceZWBoiyk52PMuVAZXyxF6jS0ha3rIc5tKOPxuLSWPT8eSNRnn1R/s6857/Kent%20State%20Youth%20Winds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4576" data-original-width="6857" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbafGOJ5_pV7sYDIf3D6jLTRrQ5odx4VihW7kfwA_8iA_i40TSI3P3D6iFJ2aWDGnuXHHcKVeTEKEgjxR4Jdb4pMUmKpEMneDp5cS695yNLF8cKXaetKK1ZjjmOYdMIKLmc4x2TJdbceZWBoiyk52PMuVAZXyxF6jS0ha3rIc5tKOPxuLSWPT8eSNRnn1R/w640-h428/Kent%20State%20Youth%20Winds.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Kent State Youth Winds </b></td></tr></tbody></table>The Kent State Youth Winds (KSYW) is an auditioned wind ensemble comprised of high school woodwind, brass, and percussion from the Northeast Ohio region. The ensemble is affiliated with Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. Through this experience, students enrich and advance their musicianship in a supportive yet challenging environment that fosters creativity, cultural awareness, and a life-long love of the arts. The ensemble rehearses and presents concerts from September to May. The highlights of this year include performances at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, the Kent State University Conducting Symposium, and Cuyahoga Falls Downtown Amphitheater. The ensemble is under the direction of Dr. Wendy K. Matthews and Assistant conductor, Ms. Sarah Kois, and Mr. Jacob Gibson. Website: <a href="https://www.kent.edu/youth-winds"><span style="color: #103cc0;">https://www.kent.edu/youth-winds</span></a>. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2nd Place:</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>H.B. Plant High School Wind Ensemble</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Brian P. Dell</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Tampa FL</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-fvm0vcy6kP6ctsSv6PN6QsH2TYJ34UwFkE2pv_Z7pa2CktH3Gt2Nii3eDV0CjkIHrbNmSxEcTdknIh34qP7300EjQrlO90z8Lx08ZfC9kwPlYgGPbJrJDqr56j1E06gdzPKrwfGEsOAYq3qztATrmVPuJQz16db8O3pH8SGQM3a3VN3v4kWsu1TqOI6/s2712/plant%20hs.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1116" data-original-width="2712" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-fvm0vcy6kP6ctsSv6PN6QsH2TYJ34UwFkE2pv_Z7pa2CktH3Gt2Nii3eDV0CjkIHrbNmSxEcTdknIh34qP7300EjQrlO90z8Lx08ZfC9kwPlYgGPbJrJDqr56j1E06gdzPKrwfGEsOAYq3qztATrmVPuJQz16db8O3pH8SGQM3a3VN3v4kWsu1TqOI6/w640-h264/plant%20hs.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">H.B. Plant High School Wind Ensemble</b></td></tr></tbody></table>The H.B. Plant Wind Ensemble is the premier auditioned concert ensemble of H.B. Plant High School. National, Regional and State performances include the 2022 CBDNA/NBA Southern Division Conference in Columbia, SC, 2022 Music For All Regional in Orlando, FL, 2019 USF Festival of Winds, 2019 UCF Florida All-Southeast Wind Band Invitational, the 2017 Music for All National Concert Festival in Indianapolis, IN, and the 2015 Stetson University Invitational Honors Band Festival. In January of 2022 and 2017, the H.B. Plant Wind Ensemble was a demo ensemble for the FMEA State Conference. In September 2021, the H.B. Plant Wind Ensemble was selected as a Commended Winner, and in 2020 and 2019 a State Winner through the Foundation of Music Education Mark of Excellence National Wind Band Honors. In September, 2019, the H.B. Plant Band Program was recognized by the National Band Association as a Division Winner for the National Programs of Excellence Blue Ribbon Award. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3rd Place (there was a tie):</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Cuthbertson HS Blue Notes Winds</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Todd Ebert </b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Waxhaw NC</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmhdtkfbtu_HEqpxXqHiwIwY6L4o9wDD4KB9SpYmkruZbzXpLLarKAJO9IcR87WgsZ8J4Dt6n4C-3PkiGp2ws4TIG58VyhjJuQ1GwYdkjMb9z4bFIJ53d6K50u6L3eaUzJpcUKdXbvur2ZKaneZcoZtJtvomC8Eho3OImNZNa8H6EP1w6qclKx7V6MWOn/s1280/CuthbertsonBlueNoteWinds2022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="1280" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmhdtkfbtu_HEqpxXqHiwIwY6L4o9wDD4KB9SpYmkruZbzXpLLarKAJO9IcR87WgsZ8J4Dt6n4C-3PkiGp2ws4TIG58VyhjJuQ1GwYdkjMb9z4bFIJ53d6K50u6L3eaUzJpcUKdXbvur2ZKaneZcoZtJtvomC8Eho3OImNZNa8H6EP1w6qclKx7V6MWOn/w640-h348/CuthbertsonBlueNoteWinds2022.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Cuthbertson HS Blue Notes Winds</b></td></tr></tbody></table>The Cuthbertson Blue Note Winds have performed at the NAfME North Carolina Music Educator’s Convention twice, The University of Georgia “JanFest”, University of South Carolina Honors Band Clinic twice, The Music For All Southeastern Regional, and twice as a Featured Ensemble at the Music For All National Concert Band Festival. The CHS band was featured at the North Carolina Honor’s Band Concert in 2017, and is a 7-year recipient of the NAMM “Best Communities for Music Education” Support Music Merit award. The band program was honored to receive the Mark of Excellence in 2019 from the Foundation for Music Education as well as first place in The American Prize in 2020 for Wind Ensemble and third place in 2021 for Chamber Ensemble. The Cuthbertson Band Program is also the recipient of the National Band Associations “Blue Ribbon of Excellence” award for the Southeastern Division. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3rd Place (there was a tie):</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Vines High School Wind Symphony</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Jonathan Cao </b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Plano TX</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpgjuUwGW5Hcxnls0kmDoZhUUynhgDaSlX0INSBDDA7Dt9qaLQifvpYNHCJlY0niMkhOeFRM7HjXPGMotvUAYrgfkWiPlGukiGKPnzH-y8kAbfQPKhIIQVAXAhGTN1ZiKpd1xqHT88j3PZg5bKW4YLVziQqEkfpRb-qhWUAku5nFF_sDcYyblC39JmJQM/s3542/13%20Vines%20High%20School%20Band.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1989" data-original-width="3542" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpgjuUwGW5Hcxnls0kmDoZhUUynhgDaSlX0INSBDDA7Dt9qaLQifvpYNHCJlY0niMkhOeFRM7HjXPGMotvUAYrgfkWiPlGukiGKPnzH-y8kAbfQPKhIIQVAXAhGTN1ZiKpd1xqHT88j3PZg5bKW4YLVziQqEkfpRb-qhWUAku5nFF_sDcYyblC39JmJQM/w640-h360/13%20Vines%20High%20School%20Band.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Vines High School Wind Symphony</b></td></tr></tbody></table>The Vines High School Wind Symphony is the premier ensemble at Vines High School, in Plano, Texas. As a 9th and 10th grade campus, our mission is to equip students to perform quality repertoire with strong fundamentals and help them to cultivate their love of music-making before sending them onward to Plano Senior High School. Through the lessons of music, we teach students vital character traits and life skills that they can employ in their communities well beyond their time here. Our program includes a competitive marching band, three concert ensembles, and a jazz band. The Vines Band consistently earns Sweepstakes ratings at UIL Concert and Marching contests and most recently enjoyed the honor of performing at the Texas State Capitol Rotunda.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Finalist Honorable Mention:</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Brunswick HS Honors Wind Ensemble</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Brandon Duras </b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Brunswick ME</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZ0Zp_BBwGNQ7khJsO123zrMD3asQoNlzCkUEGCMG_38Qvlx4cd3tPaRSt7iSvRmwdMfIF9CUeYyHDcP_O6M-oHSCOyp-Yeu75xBPCxvYhNkuYvrD81mZ6SjynAdYaOS4TK3L6TBxG-KkaF-ljIR3UMmzIf7RrBZOHHei53rIso139oCjKqRVKxbLVexu/s1226/brunswick.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="1226" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZ0Zp_BBwGNQ7khJsO123zrMD3asQoNlzCkUEGCMG_38Qvlx4cd3tPaRSt7iSvRmwdMfIF9CUeYyHDcP_O6M-oHSCOyp-Yeu75xBPCxvYhNkuYvrD81mZ6SjynAdYaOS4TK3L6TBxG-KkaF-ljIR3UMmzIf7RrBZOHHei53rIso139oCjKqRVKxbLVexu/w640-h354/brunswick.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Brunswick HS Honors Wind Ensemble</b></td></tr></tbody></table>The Brunswick High School Honors Wind Ensemble, located in Brunswick, Maine, is directed by Mr. Brandon Duras. The ensemble is composed of the top instrumental musicians in the school and some of the finest instrumental musicians throughout Maine and New England. Named a Best Community for Music Education by the National Association of Music Merchants, Brunswick High School Music Department is one of the most highly regarded programs in the state. Students of Brunswick High School have performed in festivals both locally and nationally consistently sending more students to All State and District festivals than any other school in Maine. As a pioneer in music education, Brunswick is one of the only schools in the State of Maine to offer a diploma endorsement program in Visual and Performing Arts.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><br /><i>*** </i><br /><i><br /></i><i>Congratulations!</i></div></div>davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10142661857434106176noreply@blogger.com0Danbury, CT, USA41.394817 -73.454011113.084583163821158 -108.6102611 69.705050836178856 -38.2977611tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903769510370841145.post-36835364196281497172023-11-09T17:00:00.001-05:002023-11-09T17:00:00.138-05:00National winners: COMPOSERS (shorter choral works), 2023<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgA27LqzHVmI5qotL_87Y1uzJjvKmDiYOruz_n6x3KGqC9J9qlnATGP_4sTzrxzJOzbB72Q-aqXUM1QeFq8jN1QERdKh0RURHXbQXTGxOhPqpJgnykQnJf-AxOnyoWV1qQk8FesgxT5N4/s1600/composer.png" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgA27LqzHVmI5qotL_87Y1uzJjvKmDiYOruz_n6x3KGqC9J9qlnATGP_4sTzrxzJOzbB72Q-aqXUM1QeFq8jN1QERdKh0RURHXbQXTGxOhPqpJgnykQnJf-AxOnyoWV1qQk8FesgxT5N4/w200-h200/composer.png" width="200" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><b>The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts</b>, </span>David (Volosin) Katz, founder and chief judge, is honored to announce 2023 winners, runners-up and honorable mentions of The American Prize in Composition—shorter works for chorus. Congratulations!<i> </i>Questions, or to make us aware of any misprints in the listings below, please email: <a href="mailto:theamericanprize@gmail.com">theamericanprize@gmail.com</a></p><div><span><span><span><span><p><span><b>The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts</b> is the nation's most comprehensive series of contests in the performing arts. The American Prize is unique in scope and structure, designed to recognize and reward the best performing artists, directors, ensembles and composers in the United States at professional, college/university, community and high school levels, based on submitted recordings. Now in its thirteenth year, <span>The American Prize was founded in 2010 and is awarded annually in many areas of the performing arts. Thousands of artists from all fifty states have derived benefit from their participation in the contests of The American Prize, </span>representing literally hundreds of communities and arts organizations across the nation.<span> </span>(<a href="http://theamericanprize.org">http://theamericanprize.org</a>)</span></p></span></span></span></span><h2><span style="color: #e06666;">The American Prize in Composition—choral music (professional division—shorter works), 2023</span></h2><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The American Prize winner:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Jessica French</b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>We are Held </b></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Kent WA </b></span></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkGPVByffuJPAlpxUBAIGmwzlLvnyxqXJ59JcUlIw5GGxh4uJ1xBy4pd1euUqZ2KsoEXo4NCzRRGRo2xGALeKWJ_GNBg5nZkLkLNY0qPJ7zL6atVdyFgiYpstHp6JRCSBpKlKe0Fdy3Qn15AOQfROQUPt2wGO0lJA7o0iVFxZPrMd07qvMNFj7gRaPJ5r/s4032/jessica.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2692" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkGPVByffuJPAlpxUBAIGmwzlLvnyxqXJ59JcUlIw5GGxh4uJ1xBy4pd1euUqZ2KsoEXo4NCzRRGRo2xGALeKWJ_GNBg5nZkLkLNY0qPJ7zL6atVdyFgiYpstHp6JRCSBpKlKe0Fdy3Qn15AOQfROQUPt2wGO0lJA7o0iVFxZPrMd07qvMNFj7gRaPJ5r/w428-h640/jessica.JPG" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Jessica French</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Jessica French is an award-winning composer specializing in choral music, both sacred and secular. Described as having “lyrical, sweeping lines…deeply impassioned …shimmering harmonies,” her works have been commissioned and performed nationally and internationally by various ensembles including the St. Olaf Massed Choir and Orchestra, Seattle Pro Musica, Seattle Girls Choir, South Bend Chamber Singers, Choral Arts Northwest, and Opus 7 Vocal Ensemble. In addition, her music has been featured at various national conventions, including the American Guild of Organists, National Pastoral Musicians, and Anglican Association of Musicians, as well as choir festivals including RSCM West, the Midwest Choir Festival, and the Saint Thomas Girl Chorister Course in NYC, where she most recently served as composer-in-residence. Jessica’s awards include being a finalist for the American Prize in multiple years, the ASCAP Plus Award, the 2020 AGO/ECS Publishing Award in Choral Composition, and Honorable Mention for the 2023 ACDA Focus Prize. Internationally, her music has been performed in Poland, the Czech Republic, Germany, Japan, and the U.K., and has been featured on various broadcasts, including the <i>St. Olaf Christmas Festival, Pipedreams, </i>and<i> With Heart and Voice. </i>Her works are available through The French Press and E.C. Schirmer, and most recently, her piece <i>The Oxen </i>has been included in Oxford’s Carols for Choirs 6. Jessica holds degrees in Organ Performance from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and Yale University, and after moving to the Seattle area in 2011, she refocused her musical efforts toward composition, and has composed and arranged nearly forty choral works during that period.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>We Are Held</b></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As part of my role as the 2021-22 composer-in-residence, I was asked by Choral Arts Northwest to create a new work for Artistic Director Emeritus Robert Bode’s final concert, which just happened to be their annual Christmas concert. Robert suggested that I set his poem, <i>We Are Held</i>, which<i> </i>I received during the height of the pandemic, when it was still uncertain if choirs could safely sing together again. Because of that, one phrase in the poem struck me as particularly poignant—“and are bold to sing again”—which I decided to make the musical climax of the work. In addition, to honor the tradition of past Choral Arts Christmas concerts, I decided to compose this piece in a style similar to works sung in those concerts, consisting of a repeating refrain, verses, and guitar accompaniment while musically depicting the comfort and healing that Robert’s text provides.</span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2nd Place:</b></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>John Michael Paulson </b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Dream Land </b></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Shoreline WA </b></span></div></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMLTPR6cnWCflHhUyKqE1fy9py1LeV6cowUudpsGCSHbbj2Ze9qk5CtvlJyj4-aa6MPcf4S7cy1BkVVsywcsyi1fIhAnCsFGPFpMWjxu2wKuWGWVMY0rcjqoYeb904apZ1r4ugpZp2Q-ant3PcF2awgFk80Zlx8PptXsCHtUfoHf3hGCeXsWKSUcLc_mg/s2697/John%20Michael%20Paulson%20headshot.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2697" data-original-width="2340" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMLTPR6cnWCflHhUyKqE1fy9py1LeV6cowUudpsGCSHbbj2Ze9qk5CtvlJyj4-aa6MPcf4S7cy1BkVVsywcsyi1fIhAnCsFGPFpMWjxu2wKuWGWVMY0rcjqoYeb904apZ1r4ugpZp2Q-ant3PcF2awgFk80Zlx8PptXsCHtUfoHf3hGCeXsWKSUcLc_mg/w556-h640/John%20Michael%20Paulson%20headshot.jpeg" width="556" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">John Michael Paulson</b></td></tr></tbody></table>John Michael Paulson is a Seattle-based Composer and Conductor. He studied conducting and music education at Luther College with Weston Noble. After graduating, he taught middle school and high school vocal music in Garner, Iowa. In 1996 John moved to Boston to study with Dr. Ann Howard Jones as a graduate student at Boston University. During his nearly 20 years living in Boston he served as Music Director at University Lutheran Church, and was a member of the faculty at both Lesley University and the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. John is currently the Music Director at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in downtown Seattle. His composition <i>Hope</i> won the 1995 Iowa Choral Directors Association Composition Competition. More recently the Missoula Community Chorus chose <i>Antigonish</i> as one of the winners of their 2020 “The Way Through” Composition Competition. Website - <a href="http://johnmichaelpaulson.com/"><span style="color: #103cc0;">johnmichaelpaulson.com</span></a>. </span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3rd Place:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Isaac Lovdahl </b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Though the great Waters sleep; 2 little whos </b></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Fargo ND </b></span></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN0LiVIWoafI5uuk5viQXOwfjS1nfygk4fbtQ6VicvGYY16DmTxcUfpCiqQBUTK2hAfmWvWlgVzGIGVgL5W6w1JsjS5uFWdyPBhJ13McC6OPUtXd5PRMQE_Gm5mdCF6nMTAlhKgo3epxVtW6Tfufw9F8v3Soaq6x_2dXaz0rYZzf89d3GnbWl3YASvKsdL/s5080/Isaac%20Lovdahl%20(Headshot).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5080" data-original-width="3387" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN0LiVIWoafI5uuk5viQXOwfjS1nfygk4fbtQ6VicvGYY16DmTxcUfpCiqQBUTK2hAfmWvWlgVzGIGVgL5W6w1JsjS5uFWdyPBhJ13McC6OPUtXd5PRMQE_Gm5mdCF6nMTAlhKgo3epxVtW6Tfufw9F8v3Soaq6x_2dXaz0rYZzf89d3GnbWl3YASvKsdL/w426-h640/Isaac%20Lovdahl%20(Headshot).JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Isaac Lovdahl </b></td></tr></tbody></table>Isaac Lovdahl is a choral conductor, composer, bass vocalist, and educator. He is currently pursuing a DMA in Choral Conducting at North Dakota State University where he serves as the Challey School of Music Choral Conducting Fellow, teaches ear training, and directs the campus tenor-bass ensemble. Additionally, he works as the director of music at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Moorhead, MN. Lovdahl's choral music and art songs have been performed by professional, community, and educational ensembles (and soloists) in the United States, Great Britain, South Africa, and Germany. In 2021, he was named the winner of the prestigious Yale Glee Club Emerging Composer Competition, as well as the winner of the Bellevue Chamber Chorus Emerging Composer Competition. His original compositions are available through Graphite Publishing, Santa Barbara Music Publishing, NewMusicShelf, VocalEssence Music Press, and MusicSpoke. For more information, please visit <a href="http://isaaclovdahl.com/"><span style="color: #103cc0;">isaaclovdahl.com</span></a>.</span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Finalist Honorable Mention:</b></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Matthew LaRocca </b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Alchemy </b></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Duxbury VT </b></span></div></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2BPbc6J1lJRoh27LRrkxpeS9mb4LI74CH4PDvUfWfw1limxMwSAlAG7_HZ3bALtoDrMU57h-yfTEYLPVMS1knm3PPPFAUXKMfxfn6kqQvRWPLagZn0ZwKu6rb8lo3yjMmEr3BP2aBLwj614JrtcJjBtsOYXc2N1hXqIaqivB-ym-AU7J2rSUgZ7n6fYAw/s2186/Matt%20LaRocca%20Skate%20Guitar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="2186" height="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2BPbc6J1lJRoh27LRrkxpeS9mb4LI74CH4PDvUfWfw1limxMwSAlAG7_HZ3bALtoDrMU57h-yfTEYLPVMS1knm3PPPFAUXKMfxfn6kqQvRWPLagZn0ZwKu6rb8lo3yjMmEr3BP2aBLwj614JrtcJjBtsOYXc2N1hXqIaqivB-ym-AU7J2rSUgZ7n6fYAw/w640-h580/Matt%20LaRocca%20Skate%20Guitar.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Matthew LaRocca</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Matt LaRocca is a composer, performer and educator who you are just as likely to see playing with a band in a dive bar as conducting an orchestra. He is on the composition/theory faculty at the University of Vermont and is the Artistic Director of the Champlain Philharmonic Orchestra. He is also the Executive Director of Music-COMP, an organization that teaches composition to students throughout the country by pairing them with professional composers as mentors. Committed to new music and innovation, he is the Creative Chair for the Vermont Symphony Orchestra where he brings classical music to new audiences in new spaces. His classical work has been commissioned by groups such as the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, the Great Falls Symphony and the New Jersey Youth Symphony. He performs on the electric viola and is in demand as an arranger for rock, folk and electronic musicians. <a href="http://www.mattlarocca.com/"><span style="color: #103cc0;">www.mattlarocca.com</span></a></span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Finalist Honorable Mention:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Joshua Rodriguez </b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>This Breathless Earth</b></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Riverside CA </b> </span></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV5ucGqKZ6CHa-URFKVRKfmRyB_ihMmDVQvlPkxxnA2bwr2AYtgEzDqHMUhEsbrKRQvYq62cPhy8tYyr79V3-p_Qh1n9rBU4y3pt9TGiBwm3IJxI3ATokXCwbVY0iBVzcANUGeEqGQM5B9v2KiQTf8Mmne4rfSqZyuZ9eNqLQApB3IIPP1NeoH_Yk8a38R/s1026/josh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1026" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV5ucGqKZ6CHa-URFKVRKfmRyB_ihMmDVQvlPkxxnA2bwr2AYtgEzDqHMUhEsbrKRQvYq62cPhy8tYyr79V3-p_Qh1n9rBU4y3pt9TGiBwm3IJxI3ATokXCwbVY0iBVzcANUGeEqGQM5B9v2KiQTf8Mmne4rfSqZyuZ9eNqLQApB3IIPP1NeoH_Yk8a38R/w624-h640/josh.jpg" width="624" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Joshua Rodriguez </b></td></tr></tbody></table>Known for his energetic rhythms, rich harmonic language, and striking colors, Josh Rodriguez continues to gain recognition as an emerging composer. Born in Argentina and raised in Guatemala and Mexico, Rodriguez's musical imagination has been formed by this bilingual, multi-cultural heritage.<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"> </span>Rodriguez has received several notable commissions in a wide range of musical genres including chamber, orchestral, and choral works, and theater. Rodriguez earned his MM at the Cleveland Institute of Music and PhD in Composition at the University of California, Los Angeles. He currently serves as Associate Professor of Music Theory & Composition at the Collinsworth School of Music at California Baptist University. <a href="https://www.joshrodriguezmusic.com/"><span style="color: #103cc0;">https://www.joshrodriguezmusic.com/</span></a></span></p></div><div><br /></div><div><h2><span style="color: #e06666;">The American Prize in Composition—choral music (college/university division—shorter works), 2023</span></h2></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The American Prize winner:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Duncan Tuomi </b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The Second Coming</b></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Portland OR</b></span></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizwa2MUalBa9qOGdCTZ6A5eU3nzdVf1Y16Qy1Hzv1ZuTPuVOv7tAmKWa5xN03Gc5OgLbNpkVEpC1Z7CyACkPgZb4nUztkN0WLUNskhoCX5tmUJoGnS8dkVTjQq8qIVLov7M99YyumC42-UIvhRFETWGQHvGvr10MQ_K2zbpx490xYWCmCY1c4aYg77m0Vj/s960/Duncan%20Tuomi%20Headshot%20compressed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="682" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizwa2MUalBa9qOGdCTZ6A5eU3nzdVf1Y16Qy1Hzv1ZuTPuVOv7tAmKWa5xN03Gc5OgLbNpkVEpC1Z7CyACkPgZb4nUztkN0WLUNskhoCX5tmUJoGnS8dkVTjQq8qIVLov7M99YyumC42-UIvhRFETWGQHvGvr10MQ_K2zbpx490xYWCmCY1c4aYg77m0Vj/w454-h640/Duncan%20Tuomi%20Headshot%20compressed.jpg" width="454" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Duncan Tuomi </b></td></tr></tbody></table>Duncan Tuomi (b. 1994) is a choral conductor and award-winning composer based in Los Angeles, California. He currently studies choral music in the Master of Music program at the University of Southern California and studies composition with Dr. Frank Ticheli. In recent years, Tuomi has assisted the leadership of numerous middle and high school choral ensembles around the Portland, Oregon area, most notably the Tsunami Chorus of the Pacific Youth Choir, worked as a soloist with Portland’s Bach Cantata Choir, and served as the Tenor/Bass Repertoire and Resources chair for Oregon’s chapter of the American Choral Director’s Association (ACDA). He holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Vocal Music Education from St. Olaf College, where he studied under Dr. Anton Armstrong and Dr. Christopher Aspaas, among many others.</span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2nd Place:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Timothy Smith </b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Three Songs: From Winter to Summer </b></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Huntsville AL </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSrCjAm-rBKtzCnsHQXlLuOqUS6vSb4he5SGMmYpe2PqGKXbOuHbZ11E0mofXrDjSE8KGf88PnlopnpaKdV3_aqt9LrQI6Swuei_8FwIteKHdn9sPumnjrLWIqLq0ANxiKwzDOJifaUZj3c6ufDJNbLnOibJEQjtIJLDe2SBP7rIx6E-AGX16sTdIZnqI/s4091/Timothy%20Smith%20Headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4091" data-original-width="3916" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSrCjAm-rBKtzCnsHQXlLuOqUS6vSb4he5SGMmYpe2PqGKXbOuHbZ11E0mofXrDjSE8KGf88PnlopnpaKdV3_aqt9LrQI6Swuei_8FwIteKHdn9sPumnjrLWIqLq0ANxiKwzDOJifaUZj3c6ufDJNbLnOibJEQjtIJLDe2SBP7rIx6E-AGX16sTdIZnqI/w612-h640/Timothy%20Smith%20Headshot.jpg" width="612" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Timothy Smith</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Timothy Amalavage-Smith (b. 1997) received his BM in Music Composition from the University of Alabama (2019) and MM in Composition at the University of Louisville (2021). Currently, he is revisiting the University of Alabama in order to pursue a DMA in Composition. He was selected as a winner for the Tennessee Valley Music Festival Composer’s Forum in 2014, had pieces premiered at the Dance Alabama Film Festival where he was awarded the Best Score in 2019, had music featured at the Alabama Screendance Festival in 2020, is the winner of the Huntsville Master Chorale’s 2020 Composition Competition, and is the 2021 recipient of the Huang Family Composition Commission. Amalavage-Smith has also had several pieces performed by the University of Alabama Singers, Longleash, Twickenham Winds, and the Brass Band of Huntsville. His biggest inspirations have always been nature and other art forms. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3rd Place:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Juniper Duncan</b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>and the universe said</b></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Hawthorne. NJ </b></span></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7bFO1iowRfVdxRia4FBuvr7MlOupbAfBkHOAw_Bnm-hMgTGFkx8TV1onprWES1WVgcRnMHiYfr3Z1mAsNwgM3vvXyBCiemjiSYmmCsn8UgHjTaveXEwV-5UuquOJ1Nde3jpwIG0pbavPOdmAa1-mcPCzXQZKVoJvMudbZm2Pvwf58tPe88R5R89hW-8m/s3840/JDuncan_composerphoto.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="3840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7bFO1iowRfVdxRia4FBuvr7MlOupbAfBkHOAw_Bnm-hMgTGFkx8TV1onprWES1WVgcRnMHiYfr3Z1mAsNwgM3vvXyBCiemjiSYmmCsn8UgHjTaveXEwV-5UuquOJ1Nde3jpwIG0pbavPOdmAa1-mcPCzXQZKVoJvMudbZm2Pvwf58tPe88R5R89hW-8m/w640-h480/JDuncan_composerphoto.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Juniper Duncan</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Juniper Duncan is a second-year Cognitive Science and Psychology pre-medical student at Case Western Reserve University. They began their life as a large group composer writing for high school a cappella and jazz ensembles (along with several solo piano and orchestral ventures) and graduated to the world of collegiate music in 2021 with the composition of the large-scale unaccompanied choral works <i>Requiem (for the queer soul) </i>and <i>To One Coming North</i>. </span>In their time, the young composer and vocalist has received multiple accolades for their work and has had their work performed in concert in collaboration with multiple ensembles, including the Case Concert Choir and the Cleveland Chamber Choir. As a composer and performer also heavily involved in the world of academia, they hope to keep pushing their voice forward in both the realms of STEM and music, creating and sharing their experiences along the way.</span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Finalist Honorable Mention</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Benjamin Gonczi</b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Ad Astra </b></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Wilmington DE </b></span></div></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIBV_j9TUtTYdhQEA9jtNhP2Y3XELuxvHpl4T5e54LzEUovKaE4Z1llfhLNHv1BkTqNzbLtsVBokas48Ja3GoWdOYanDBcEKhGkV_EcZ0XFwSAvclPiqDUlDh5IbkBin1qMsJDEdsmInVAiVX1OOIgAavgne6lmKcCJjjqG8zgmLIdvUPPuPR6mF1SLS3/s1759/Benjamin%20Gonczi.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1617" data-original-width="1759" height="588" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIBV_j9TUtTYdhQEA9jtNhP2Y3XELuxvHpl4T5e54LzEUovKaE4Z1llfhLNHv1BkTqNzbLtsVBokas48Ja3GoWdOYanDBcEKhGkV_EcZ0XFwSAvclPiqDUlDh5IbkBin1qMsJDEdsmInVAiVX1OOIgAavgne6lmKcCJjjqG8zgmLIdvUPPuPR6mF1SLS3/w640-h588/Benjamin%20Gonczi.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Benjamin Gonczi</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Benjamin Gonczi is a composer, vocalist, and aspiring music educator originally from Wilmington, DE. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor's in Music Education from the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. There, he is a member of the renowned Frost Chorale, in which he performs under the direction of Dr. Amanda Quist, and through which he has had the opportunity to perform under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas alongside the New World Symphony. Benjamin also acts as an educator and TA for the Miami Children's Chorus. Most recently, Benjamin received the award for Best Composition in the Frost Collegiate ACDA Chapter's Choral Composition Showcase. He hopes that the call to action that his piece emits is heard loud and clear--he firmly believes it is a message worth amplifying. You can find more information regarding his musical works and endeavors at <a href="https://bengonczimusic.wixsite.com/benjamingonczi"><span style="color: #103cc0;">https://bengonczimusic.wixsite.com/benjamingonczi</span></a>.</span></p></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><i>*** </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Congratulations!</i></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div>davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10142661857434106176noreply@blogger.com0Danbury, CT, USA41.394817 -73.454011113.084583163821158 -108.6102611 69.705050836178856 -38.2977611tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903769510370841145.post-61092526644939066212023-11-07T09:31:00.003-05:002023-11-07T09:31:41.128-05:00The American Prize UPDATE: November 7, 2023<p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFSphfx4tnQ4yALh3Zp8qbOffe9aQfibLEk0RNr-KTIXTnteIZ6fJ7Fos07Qzm0NDJJ0a_VruV2AA6ptx88M6Ucid7DdO93m8NMpAk83nF718jQvHoA3ujrEuoI_tY9pP-isyxPRVayby8ZDUyYw_bJEqUzVs5HFwu4z7A5eO1xrTjs8kT4pkvpCrFO21/s925/sealonblack.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="925" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFSphfx4tnQ4yALh3Zp8qbOffe9aQfibLEk0RNr-KTIXTnteIZ6fJ7Fos07Qzm0NDJJ0a_VruV2AA6ptx88M6Ucid7DdO93m8NMpAk83nF718jQvHoA3ujrEuoI_tY9pP-isyxPRVayby8ZDUyYw_bJEqUzVs5HFwu4z7A5eO1xrTjs8kT4pkvpCrFO21/s320/sealonblack.png" width="320" /></a></div>2023 WINNER ANNOUNCEMENTS:<p></p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Winners and runners-up: </span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>The American Prize in Composition (shorter choral works), 2023</b></span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Thur Nov 9, 5pm on our blog</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Winners and runners-up: </span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>The American Prize in Band/Wind Ensemble Performance, 2023</b></span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Fri Nov 10, 5pm on our blog</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Winners and runners-up: </span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>The American Prize in Choral Performance, 2023</b></span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Tues, Nov 14, 5pm on our blog</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Winners and runners-up: </span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>The American Prize in Orchestral Performance, 2023</b></span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Wed, Nov 15, 5pm on our blog</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Blog address: </span><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="http://theamericanprize.blogspot.com/"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">http://theamericanprize.blogspot.com</span></a><br /><span data-delight-asset="196809267710501" data-delight="true" style="color: #f1765e; font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;">Congratulations</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">!</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We expect final results in the few remaining categories to be announced before Thanksgiving.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Questions? <a href="mailto:theamericanprize@gmail.com">theamericanprize@gmail.com</a></span>davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10142661857434106176noreply@blogger.com0Danbury, CT, USA41.394817 -73.454011113.084583163821158 -108.6102611 69.705050836178856 -38.2977611