FINALISTS: High School Orchestras, Youth Orchestras, and their conductors, 2012

The American Prize is pleased to announce FINALIST conductors and ensembles, 2012, in the High School Orchestra and Youth Orchestra divisions. Please scroll down for additional finalist conductors and ensembles in choral and orchestral music, wind band, opera and musical theater. More announcements to follow. Congratulations!

Do let us know of any misprints or if you have questions. theamericanprz@aol.com or theamericanprize@gmail.com

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The American Prize in Orchestral Performance, 2012—Youth Orchestra Division

Dubuque Youth Symphony Orchestra, Dr. Thomas Taylor Dickey, conductor, Dubuque, IA—Sullivan, Wagner, Mascagni, Vaughan Williams, more

YPO Philharmonic String Orchestra & Soloist Ensemble, Alyze Dreiling, conductor, San Diego, CA—Golijov, Respighi, Biber, more

Vivace of the Stringendo Orchestra School, Jonathan Handman & Emily Schaad, directors, Poughkeepsie, NY—Suk, Mozart, more

Germantown Performing Arts Center Youth Symphony Orchestra, Pu-Qi Jiang, conductor, Germantown, TN—Dvorak: New World Symphony, more

Orange County Youth Symphony Orchestra, Daniel Alfred Wachs, music director, Orange, CA—Franck: Symphony in D minor, Saint-Saens: Organ Symphony, more

Houston Youth Symphony Orchestra, Michael Webster, conductor, Houston, TX—Strauss: Till Eulenspiegel, Shostakovich: Symphony No. 1 

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The American Prize in Orchestral Performance, 2012—High School Division

Midway Philharmonic, Beau Benson, conductor, Waco, TX—Shostakovich, Tchaikovsky, Dvorak, more

Arlington HS Philharmonia, Jonathan Handman, conductor, LaGrangeville, NY—Barber, Respighi, more

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The American Prize in Conducting—Orchestra Division, 2012—Youth/High School

Beau Benson—Midway Philharmonic, Waco, TX—Shostakovich, Tchaikovsky, Beethoven

James Feddeck—Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra, Cleveland, OH—Brahms: Academic Festival Overture, Dvorak: Symphony No. 8

Jon Handman—Arlington High School Philharmonia/Vivace of the Stringendo Orchestra School, Poughkeepsie, NY—Mozart: Divertimento, Barber: Adagio

Christopher T.F. Hanson—S.M.A.R.T. Orchestra, San Marcos, TX—Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue, Anderson, Copland, more

Nathaniel Meyer—Belmont Festival Orchestra, Belmont, MA—Beethoven: Symphony No. 3
 
Michael Webster—Houston Youth Symphony, Houston, TX—Strauss: Till Eulenspiegel, Shostakovich: Symphony No. 1

FINALISTS: Professional orchestras and their conductors

The American Prize is pleased to announce FINALIST conductors and ensembles, 2012, in the Professional Orchestra division. Please scroll down for additional finalist conductors and ensembles in choral and orchestral music, wind band, opera and musical theater. More announcements to follow. Congratulations!

Do let us know of any misprints or if you have questions. theamericanprz@aol.com or theamericanprize@gmail.com

The American Prize in Orchestral Performance, 2012—Professional Division

Oconomowoc Chamber Orchestra, Roberta Carpenter, music director, Oconomowoc, WI—Copland, Paganini, Snopek, Beethoven: Symphony No. 5

Yakima Symphony Orchestra, Lawrence Golan, music director, Yakima, WA—Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6

National Philharmonic, Piotr Gajeski, conductor, North Bethesda, MD—Beethoven: Symphony No. 6

Boston Classical Orchestra, Steven Lipsitt, music director—Boston, MA—Rossini, Saint-Saens, Beethoven: Symphony No. 3


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The American Prize in Conducting—Orchestra Division, 2012—Professional Orchestra

Lawrence Golan—Phoenix Symphony Orchestra—Rimsky-Korsakov, Brahms, Prokofiev, more

Travis Jurgens—Philharmonia of Greater Kansas City—J. Strauss, Copland, Part, Mozart, more

Steven Lipsitt—Boston Classical Orchestra/Various Orchestras—Tchaikovsky, Rossini, Schubert, Beethoven

Dirk Meyer—Sarasota Orchestra—Rachmaninoff, Berlioz, Beethoven

Stefano Sarzani—Orchestra Filarmonica Marchigiane—Debussy, Brahms, Walton, more

Nan Harrison Washburn—Michigan Philharmonic, Plymouth, MI—Mussorgsky, Bernstein, Shostakovich, more

FINALISTS: Community Orchestras and Conductors, 2012

The American Prize is pleased to announce FINALIST conductors and ensembles, 2012, in the Community Orchestra division. Please scroll down for additional finalist conductors and ensembles in choral music, wind band, opera and musical theater. More announcements to follow. Congratulations!

Do let us know of any misprints or if you have questions. theamericanprz@aol.com or theamericanprize@gmail.com

The American Prize in Conducting—Orchestra Division, 2012—Community

Donald L. Appert—Clark College Orchestra, Vancouver, WA— Lutoslavski, Shostakovich, Suk

David Bernard—Park Avenue Chamber Symphony, New York, NY—Beethoven, Strauss: Death and Transfiguration, Brahms

Lois Ferrari—Austin Civic Orchestra, Austin, TX—Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 2

Robert J. Helmacy—South Orange Symphony, South Orange, NJ—Gould, Chadwick, Saint-Saens

Tara Towson Villa—Lee County Community Orchestra, Sanford, NC—Sibelius, Beethoven, Strauss, more

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The American Prize in Orchestral Performance, 2012—Community Orchestra Division

Clark College Orchestra, Donald Appert, conductor,  Vancouver, WA—Lutoslavski, Shostakovich, Suk

Park Avenue Chamber Symphony, David Bernard, music director, New York, NY—Beethoven, Strauss: Death and Transfiguration, Brahms

Austin Civic Orchestra, Lois Ferrari, music director, Austin, TX—Beethoven, Barber, Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 2

Northern Tier Symphony Orchestra, Robert Helmacy, music director, Tunkannock, PA—Enesco: Roumanian Rhapsody No. 1, Bizet: Carmen Suites

Springfield-Drury Civic Orchestra, Christopher Koch, conductor , Springfield, MO—Martinu, Sharpe, Respighi, Nielsen, more

Los Angeles Musician's Symphony, Guido Lamell, music director, Los Angeles, CA—Beethoven: Symphony 9, more

Waynesboro Symphony Orchestra, Peter Wilson, music director, Waynesboro, VA—Beethoven: Symphony No. 7, more

FINALISTS: Community Chorus Division, 2012

The American Prize is pleased to announce CHORAL FINALISTS, 2012 in the Community Chorus division. Please view yesterday's blog posts for additional choral ensemble and conducting finalists.

Do let us know of any misprints or if you have questions. theamericanprz@aol.com or theamericanprize@gmail.com

Congratulations!

The American Prize in Choral Performance, 2012—Community Division

The Vocal Art Ensemble, Tracia Barbieri, director, Davis, CA—Solstice: Dance of Light

Ensemble Companio, Joseph Gregorio, conductor, West Chester, PA—Greetings and Farewells

National Philharmonic Chorale, Stan Engebretson & Piotr Gajewski, conductors, North Bethesda, MD—Verdi: Requiem, Handel: Messiah

South Bend Chamber Singers, Nancy Menk*, conductor, South Bend, IN—Millennium: Choral Music of Today

Turtle Creek Chorale, Jonathan Palant, conductor, Dallas, TX—Childs, Whitacre, Lauridsen, more

Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, Eric Stark, conductor, Indianapolis, IN—Mendelssohn: Elijah

Cantori New York, Mark Shapiro, artistic director, New York, NY—Ferko: Stabat Mater

Bel Canto Chorus, Richard Hynson, director, Milwaukee, WI—Baber: An American Requiem, more 

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*Dr. Menk is on leave of absence from The American Prize judging in 2012. 

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Please scroll down to view yesterday's blog posts which announce additional choral ensemble and conducting finalists. 

FINALISTS: Orchestral Programming, 2012

The American Prize Vytautas Marijosius Memorial Award in Orchestral Programming honors the memory of the great Lithuanian conductor, Maestro Vytautas Marijosius, music director of the Lithuanian State Opera, and for nearly thirty-five years Director of Orchestral Activities at the Hartt School of Music. The Prize recognizes and rewards the best achievement in the unique field of orchestral programming, where the selection of repertoire by knowledgeable, creative and courageous music directors builds orchestras and audiences, educates young people and adults, and enriches the community. 

Congratulations to this year's finalists.

Vytautas Marijosius Memorial Award FINALISTS, 2012
  
Donald L. Appert—Oregon Sinfonietta, Portland, OR      

Richard Chiarappa—West Hartford Symphony, West Hartford, CT       

Alyze Dreiling—YPO Philharmonic String Orchestra, San Diego, CA       

Lawrence Golan—Yakima Symphony Orchestra, Yakima, WA          

Timothy Hutto—New York Symphonic Arts Ensemble, New York, NY

Ken Selden—Portland State University Symphony Orchestra, Portland, OR
   
John W. Strickler—Topeka Symphony, Topeka, KS

Tara Towson Villa—Lee County Community Orchestra, Sanford, NC
 
Daniel Alfred Wachs—Orange County Youth Symphony Orchestra, Orange, CA
   
Daniel Alfred  Wachs—Chapman Chamber Orchestra, Orange, CA

Victor S. Wahby, MD—Medical Musical Group, Washington, DC

CHORAL FINALISTS in many categories, 2012

The American Prize is pleased to announce CHORAL FINALISTS, 2012 in a number of categories. Any remaining choral finalists will be posted tomorrow. Please scroll down to view the different divisions.

Do let us know of any misprints or if you have questions. theamericanprz@aol.com or theamericanprize@gmail.com

Congratulations!

The American Prize in Conducting—Choral Division, 2012—Community Chorus

Richard Hynson—Bel Canto Chorus, Milwaukee, WI—Mozart: Requiem

Jonathan Palant—Partners In Harmony, Dallas, TX—Mozart: Requiem

Matthew Phelps—Chancel Choir of the Reformed Church of Bronxville, NY—Bach: Cantata 106, Lauridsen

Karen P. Thomas—Seattle Pro Musica, Seattle, WA—Bach: St John Passion / Mendelssohn:Elijah 

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The American Prize in Choral Performance, 2012—College/University Division

East Carolina University Chamber Singers, Greenville, NC, Dr. Andrew Crane, conductor—Antognini, Gonzales, Azura, Bach, more

Utah Valley University Chamber Choir, Orem, UT, Dr. Reed Criddle, conductor—Martin: Mass for Double Choir, Brahms, Whitacre, more

Marywood University Chamber Singers, Scranton, PA, Rick Hoffenberg, conductor—Bennett: Missa Brevis, O'Regan: Triptych, more

University of South Dakota Chamber Singers, Vermillion, SD, Dr. David Holdhusen, conductor—Priano, Albright, Memley, more

Shepherd University Chamber Singers, Shepherdstown, WV, Dr. Erik Jones, director—Finzi, Nystedt, Spencer, Martin, more

Saint Mary's College Women's Choir, Notre Dame, IN, Nancy Menk*, conductor—Orban: Mass No. 6 for Treble Voices, Stroope, Dicie, more

LIU Post Chamber Singers, Brookville, NY, Dr. Mark Shapiro, director—Flecha, Rautavaara, Elgar, more

University of Washington Chorale, Seattle, WA, Giselle Wyers, conductor—Alexander, Lauridsen, Vandervelde, more

*Dr. Menk is on leave of absence from The American Prize judging in 2012. 

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The American Prize in Choral Performance, 2012—Youth and High School Division

Lawrence Academy Girl Choir—Bel Canto, Appleton, WI, Karen Bruno, conductor—Bambara, Rimski-Korsakov, Monteverdi, Morley, more

Columbus International Children's Choir, Columbus, OH, Tatiana Kats, conductor—Pergolesi: Stabat Mater, Raminsh, Eshpai, more

The Davidson Chorale, Augusta, GA, Dr. Timothy Powell, conductor—Whitacre, Powell, Rachmaninoff, more

FINALISTS: BANDS/WIND ENSEMBLES and conductors, 2012

The American Prize is pleased to announce finalist BAND/WIND ENSEMBLES and conductors for 2012. Please scroll down to view the different divisions.

Do let us know of any misprints or if you have questions. theamericanprz@aol.com or theamericanprize@gmail.com

From the judges: "Very fine conductors, exceptionally good bands, all down the line. Surely one of the most competitive contests in the history of The American Prize."

The American Prize in Conducting —Band/Wind Ensemble Division, 2012—College/University  

Richard Kazuhiko Henebry—New England Conservatory Wind Ensemble, Boston, MA—Schoenberg: Theme and Variations, Weinstein: Serenade, more

H. Carl Hess—Duquesne University Wind Symphony/Symphony Band, Pittsburgh, PA

Trent A. Hollinger—Peabody Conservatory Players (Wind Ensemble & Chamber Winds), Baltimore, MD—Grainger: Lincolnshire Posy, Woolfenden, Hahn

David Wacyk—University of Maryland Wind Orchestra, College Park, MD—Stravinsky—Symphonies of Wind Instruments, Husa, McPhee, Gounod, more

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The American Prize in Wind Ensemble/Concert Band Performance, 2012

High School Division

Metea Valley HS Wind Ensemble, Aurora, IL, Don Devany, conductor—Grainger: Lincolnshire Posy, Reed, more

Stroudsburg 9th Grade Concert Band, Stroudsburg, PA, Ben Pritchard, conductor—Reed: Second Suite for Band, Lopez, Edmondson, more

Orange County High School of the Arts Frederick Fennell Wind Ensemble, Santa Ana, California, Teren Shaffer, conductor—Holst: Second Suite, Maslanka, Reed, more

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Community Division

Quad City Wind Ensemble, Davenport, IA, Brian Hughes, conductor—Bernstein, Magnuson, Hindemith, Williams, Berlioz

Los Alamos Community Winds, Los Alamos, NM, Ted Vives, music director—Orff: Carmina Burana, music by Strauss, Williams, more

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College/University Division

Messiah College Wind Ensemble, Grantham, PA, Bradley Genevro, conductor—Dvorak: Serenade, Gabrieli, Hesketh, more

The University of Georgia Wind Ensemble, Athens, GA, John P. Lynch, conductor—Oquin, Mobberely (commissions), Lorenz, Copland, more

Cornell Wind Ensemble, Ithaca, NY, Cynthia Johnston Turner,  conductor—Stark, Gallagher, Wadsworth, Likhuta, more

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Congratulations to all finalists for what is already proving to be an exciting and musically stimulating competition. 

The competition office expects to announce more finalists over the weekend. "Friend" our Facebook page for the exact schedule of announcements.

FINALISTS: OPERA & MUSICAL THEATER ensembles and conductors, 2012

The American Prize is pleased to announce finalist OPERA and MUSICAL THEATER conductors and ensembles for 2012. Please scroll down to view the different divisions.

Do let us know of any misprints or if you have questions. theamericanprz@aol.com or theamericanprize@gmail.com

Enrico Caruso in "I Pagliacci"

The American Prize in Opera Performance, 2012—Professional Division

Guerilla Opera, Boston, MA—Rudolf Rojahn: Heart of a Dog

Juventas New Music Ensemble, Boston, MA—Isaac Schankler: Light & Power

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Community Division

dell'Arte Opera Ensemble, New York, NY—Strauss: Ariadne auf Naxos

Hubbard Hall Opera Theater, Cambridge, NY—Donizetti: Don Pasquale

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College/University Division

Crane Opera Ensemble, SUNY-Potsdam—Menotti: Amahl and the Night Visitors

University of Connecticut School of Music, Storrs, CT—Bernstein: Candide

University of Houston—Moores Opera Center, Houston, TX—Mechem: Tartuffe

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The American Prize in Musical Theater Performance, 2012—High School Division

East Rockaway Junior/Senior High School, Long Island, NY—Crazy for You

Youth Musical Theater Company of Berkeley, Berkeley, CA—Ragtime

George Mason High School, Falls Church, VA—Les Miserables

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The American Prize in Conducting —Opera Division, 2012 

Community

Robert W. Butts—BONJ Opera—Mozart: Don Giovanni
 

Christopher Fecteau—dell'Arte Opera Ensemble—Strauss: Ariande aud Naxos
 

Warren Puffer Jones—Arbor Opera Theater—Bizet: Carmen

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College/University

H. Carl Hess—Duquesne University—Puccini: Gianni Schicchi, Suor Angelica
 
Maria Sensi Sellner—Carnegie Mellon University School of Music— Puccini: Suor Angelica
 
Kirk A. Severtson—SUNY Potsdam, The Crane School of Music—Menotti: Amahl and the Night Visitors          

Marilyn Miller in "Ziegfeld Follies"

The American Prize in Conducting —Musical Theater Division, 2012

High School

David Crews Moschler—Youth Musical Theater Company of Berkeley—Ragtime
 
Patrick Towey—Ken-Ton Summer Theatre Arts Group Experience—The Wiz
 
Mary Jo West—George Mason High School—Les Miserables


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Congratulations to all. We expect to announce additional finalists tomorrow.