FINALISTS: stage directors (The Charles Nelson Reilly Prize), 2018-19

CNR in "The Life of Reilly"

(This listing was revised on August 8, 2019 to correct a clerical omission. —DK) The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts, David Lazaar Katz, chief judge, is pleased to announce NATIONAL FINALIST stage directors for 2018-19—The Charles Nelson Reilly Prize. Congratulations!

Runners-up and winners will be selected from these lists. To know the exact date when winners and runners-up will be announced, please like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter #AmericanPrize, where that information will be published first.

There are two divisions this year—one for opera directors, a second for theater and music theater directors. First-place awards will be presented in each category.

Charles Nelson Reilly 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, please click here.

"At The American Prize, there is never a set number of finalists in any category or division. We also try hard to not be about "winners" and "losers," but always seek to encourage excellence, creativity and imagination. That is one reason why we post the following statement with every finalist listing."—DK

If you are not a finalist this year, please remember that the contests are not yet over. The American Prize reserves the right to award Honorable Mentions and Citations for Special Achievement to any contestant, regardless of final placement. TAP has honored a number of semi-finalists and quarter finalists in the past--to recognize a unique talent or focus, unusual repertoire, vital programming or outreach. Citations and Honorable Mentions are usually awarded at the same time as winners and runners-up, but can be presented at any time up to the last winners' announcement of the contest year.
 
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.

DEADLINE APPROACHING: Applications from COMPOSERS, CONDUCTORS, STAGE DIRECTORS, CONDUCTED ENSEMBLES, ARTS MARKETERS and in the performance of American Music (BACON AWARD) will be accepted until  
Monday, August 5, 2019. (Please note that although the dates on the application forms may not be changed, rest assured that your materials will be accepted if sent by the new deadline dates in the respective contest areas.)

(REMINDER: Because of many requests from artists with late spring and early summer performances, The American Prize 2019-20 will accept applications from CLASSICAL VOCALISTS, PIANISTS, CHAMBER ENSEMBLES and INSTRUMENTAL SOLOISTS postmarked or emailed by the new extended deadline date of  
Monday, July 1, 2019, with extensions available by email request. (theamericanprize@gmail.com)



NATIONAL FINALISTS: The American Prize in Directing—The Charles Nelson Reilly Prize, 2018-19, opera division

Marc Callahan
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill NC  
Massenet: Cinderella

Tracelyn Gesteland
University of South Dakota Opera
Vermillion SD 
Die Fledermaus
  
Andreas Hager
Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
Cincinnati OH  
Gianni Schicchi
  
Rachel M. Harris
Southeastern Louisiana University
Hammond LA 
Dan Shore: Works of Mercy
  
Melanie Helton
Michigan State University Opera Theatre
East Lansing MI 
Hansel & Gretel
  
David Holley
University of NC - Greensboro
Greensboro NC  
Die Zauberflote   

Paul Houghtaling
University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa AL 
Semele
     
David Lefkowich
Indiana University Jacobs School of Music
Bloomington IN 
Don Giovanni
  
Dugg McDonough
Turner-Fischer Center for Opera at LSU
Baton Rouge LA  
David T. Little: Dog Days
  
Dugg McDonough
Turner-Fischer Center for Opera at LSU
Baton Rouge LA  
The Cunning Little Vixen 

Nicholas Muni
UNCSA AJ Fletcher Opera Institute
Winston-Salem NC 
Debussy/Constant: Impressions de Pelleas
 
Isai Jess Munoz
University of Delaware Opera Workshop Ensemble
Newark DE  
various: Waulking in the Glen
  
David Ronis
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Madison WI 
La Boheme    

Jeffrey Stegall
Bob Jones University
Greenville SC  
Lucia di Lammermoor   

Copeland Woodruff
Lawrence University
Appleton WI 
Le Comte Ory
  

NATIONAL FINALISTS: The American Prize in Directing—The Charles Nelson Reilly Prize, 2018-19, theater and musical theater division 

Kristina Keener Ivy
Top Billing Entertainment
Glendora CA
Peter Pan
  
Belinda Andrews-Smith
Denison University
Granville OH
Spring Awakening
  
Geoffrey Arndt
Saint Patrick High School
Chicago IL
Dracula
   
Julie Lyn Barber
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green KY
Guys & Dolls
  
Paul Rugg
The Pope St. John Paul II Theater Troupe of Saint Augustine Academy
Ventura CA
My Fair Lady


***

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.

Here is a sample announcement:

"Great News! Our ensemble has 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 results in the division soon. You can learn more about this prestigious national competition here: www.theamericanprize.org or follow the news on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-American-Prize-celebrating-American-excellence-in-the-arts/214320622728 or Twitter: https://twitter.com/americanprize "

Please feel free to modify or expand this announcement to suit your needs.

Congratulations to all finalists.

FINALISTS: opera production, 2018-19

The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts, David (Volosin) Katz, founder and chief judge, is pleased to announce NATIONAL FINALISTS in opera production for 2018-19. Congratulations!

Runners-up and winners will be selected from this list. To know the exact date when results will be announced, please like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter #AmericanPrize, where that information will be published first.

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: theamericanprize@gmail.com

"At The American Prize, there is never a set number of finalists in any category or division. We also try hard to not be about "winners" and "losers," but always seek to encourage excellence, creativity and imagination. That is one reason why we post the following statement with every finalist listing."—DK

If you are not a finalist this year, please remember that the contests are not yet over. The American Prize reserves the right to award Honorable Mentions and Citations for Special Achievement to any contestant, regardless of final placement. TAP has honored a number of semi-finalists and quarter finalists in the past--to recognize a unique talent or focus, unusual repertoire, vital programming or outreach. Citations and Honorable Mentions are usually awarded at the same time as winners and runners-up, but can be presented at any time up to the last winners' announcement of the contest year.
 
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.

DEADLINE APPROACHING: Applications from COMPOSERS, CONDUCTORS, STAGE DIRECTORS, CONDUCTED ENSEMBLES, ARTS MARKETERS and in the performance of American Music (BACON AWARD) will be accepted until  
Monday, August 5, 2019. (Please note that although the dates on the application forms may not be changed, rest assured that your materials will be accepted if sent by the new deadline dates in the respective contest areas.)

(REMINDER: Because of many requests from artists with late spring and early summer performances, The American Prize 2019-20 will accept applications from CLASSICAL VOCALISTS, PIANISTS, CHAMBER ENSEMBLES and INSTRUMENTAL SOLOISTS postmarked or emailed by the new extended deadline date of  
Monday, July 1, 2019, with extensions available by email request. (theamericanprize@gmail.com)

 
NATIONAL FINALISTS: The American Prize in Opera Performance—professional division,
2018-19

Chicago Fringe Opera
George Cederquist
Chicago IL  
Ross Crean: The Great God Pan
   
Hawaii Performing Arts Festival
Justin John Moniz
Waimea HI  
The Mikado
  
Queen City Opera
Isaac Selya
Cincinnati OH 
Don Giovanni


NATIONAL FINALISTS: The American Prize in Opera Performance—college/university division,  2018-19

Morningside College
Taylor Clemens
Sean Burton conductor
Sioux City IA  
Dido and Aeneas
  
Arizona State University
Brian DeMaris
Mark Alpizar and Kamna Gupta conductors
Tempe AZ 
Les mamelles de Tiresias
  
Michigan State University
Melanie Helton
Lansing MI  
Hansel & Gretel

University of NC Greensboro
David Holley
Greensboro NC  
Die Zauberflote
  
University of Alabama
Paul Houghtaling
Tuscaloosa AL
Jeremy Gill: Letters from Quebec to Providence in the Rain; Handel: Semele 

Bob Jones University
Darren P. Lawson
Michael Moore/Jeffery Stegall
Greenville SC 
Lucia di Lammermoor
  
Turner-Fischer Center for Opera at LSU
Dugg McDonough
Baton Rouge
David T. Little: Dog Days
  
Turner-Fischer Center for Opera at LSU
Dugg McDonough
Baton Rouge LA  
The Cunning Little Vixen
  
UNCSA AJ Fletcher Opera Institute
Nicholas Muni
Winston-Salem NC  
Constant: Impressions de Pelleas
  
Mount Holyoke Symphony Orchestra
Tian Hui Ng
South Hadley MA  
Bode Omojola: Irin Ajo
  
Lawrence University
Copeland Woodruff
Appleton WI 
Le Comte Ory


***


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.

Here is a sample announcement:

"Great News! Our ensemble has 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 results in the division soon. You can learn more about this prestigious national competition here: www.theamericanprize.org or follow the news on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-American-Prize-celebrating-American-excellence-in-the-arts/214320622728 or Twitter: https://twitter.com/americanprize "

Please feel free to modify or expand this announcement to suit your needs.

Congratulations to all finalists.

FINALISTS: musical theater production, 2018-19

Marilyn Miller, 1930s Broadway star

The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts, David (Volosin) Katz, founder and chief judge, is pleased to announce NATIONAL FINALISTS in musical theater performance for 2018-19. Congratulations!

"Many technically impressive productions and high energy performances. Who will win? I have no idea!"—DK

Runners-up and winners will be selected from this list. To know the exact date when results will be announced, please like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter #AmericanPrize, where that information will be published first.

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: theamericanprize@gmail.com

"At The American Prize, there is never a set number of finalists in any category or division. We also try hard to not be about "winners" and "losers," but always seek to encourage excellence, creativity and imagination. That is one reason why we post the following statement with every finalist listing."—DK

If you are not a finalist this year, please remember that the contests are not yet over. The American Prize reserves the right to award Honorable Mentions and Citations for Special Achievement to any contestant, regardless of final placement. TAP has honored a number of semi-finalists and quarter finalists in the past--to recognize a unique talent or focus, unusual repertoire, vital programming or outreach. Citations and Honorable Mentions are usually awarded at the same time as winners and runners-up, but can be presented at any time up to the last winners' announcement of the contest year.
 
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.

REMINDER: Because of many requests from artists with late spring and early summer performances, The American Prize 2019-20 will accept applications from CLASSICAL VOCALISTS, PIANISTS, CHAMBER ENSEMBLES and INSTRUMENTAL SOLOISTS postmarked or emailed by the new extended deadline date of  
Monday, July 1, 2019, with extensions available by email request. (theamericanprize@gmail.com)

Applications from COMPOSERS, CONDUCTORS, STAGE DIRECTORS, CONDUCTED ENSEMBLES, ARTS MARKETERS and in the performance of American Music (BACON AWARD) will be accepted until  
Monday, August 5, 2019. (Please note that although the dates on the application forms may not be changed, rest assured that your materials will be accepted if sent by the new deadline dates in the respective contest areas.)
 

NATIONAL FINALISTS: The American Prize in Musical Theater Performance, 2018-19

Hub City Players
Tammy Mansfield
Hattiesburg MS
Mike Lopinto, Producer and Director
James & the Giant Peach  

Denison University
Belinda Andrews-Smith
Granville OH  
Spring Awakening
  
Arizona State University
Brian DeMaris
Tempe AZ  
Legally Blonde The Musical

Southern Opera & Musical Theatre Company
Mike Lopinto
Hattiesburg
Jay Dean/Michael Miles, Music Directors
The Phantom of the Opera 

Top Biilling Entertainment
Kristina Keener Ivy
Glendora CA  
Peter Pan / Beauty and the Beast
  
The Pope St. John Paul II Theater Troupe
of St. Augustine Academy
Paul Rugg
Ventura CA  
My Fair Lady / HMS Pinafore
  
Saint Patrick School
Kelly Stevens
Rodeo CA 
In The Heights

***


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.

Here is a sample announcement:

"Great News! Our ensemble has 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 results in the division soon. You can learn more about this prestigious national competition here: www.theamericanprize.org or follow the news on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-American-Prize-celebrating-American-excellence-in-the-arts/214320622728 or Twitter: https://twitter.com/americanprize "

Please feel free to modify or expand this announcement to suit your needs.

Congratulations to all finalists.

WINNERS: arts marketing, 2018-19

The American Prize is honored to announce the winner and runners-up of  The American Prize in Arts Marketing, 2018-19.  Congratulations!

The American Prize in Arts Marketing recognizes and rewards the best marketing campaigns by performing arts organizations in America, based on submitted applications from professional or community groups. The contest seeks evidence of campaigns that combine inspiration and creativity with demonstrable success, regardless of the budget available.

All finalists receive written evaluations from a member of The American Prize judging panel.

Complete listings of finalists and semi-finalists in The American Prize competitions may be found elsewhere on this blog. Please use the chronological tool in the right-hand column to find specific results.

REMINDER: Because of many requests from artists with late spring and early summer performances, The American Prize 2019-20 will accept applications from CLASSICAL VOCALISTS, PIANISTS, CHAMBER ENSEMBLES and INSTRUMENTAL SOLOISTS postmarked or emailed by the new extended deadline date of
Monday, July 1, 2019, with extensions available by email request. (theamericanprize@gmail.com)

Applications from COMPOSERS, CONDUCTORS, STAGE DIRECTORS, CONDUCTED ENSEMBLES, ARTS MARKETERS and in the performance of American Music (BACON AWARD) will be accepted until  
Monday, August 5, 2019. (Please note that although the dates on the application forms may not be changed, rest assured that your materials will be accepted if sent by the new deadline dates in the respective contest areas.)

Please make us aware of any misprints: theamericanprize@gmail.com


The American Prize in Arts Marketing, 2018-19.
The American Prize winner:
Unison Media
Andrew Ousley
New York NY  

Unison Media

Founded in 2015 by Andrew Ousley, Unison Media does a bit of everything – whether it’s handling publicity and social media for artists like Gustavo Dudamel, Lawrence Brownlee, Stefan Jackiw, Conrad Tao, On Site Opera, and many others, or building websites, or running our two concert series – we try to explore new and different ways to promote opera and classical music and to bring more beauty to a world that desperately needs it. https://www.unison.media/

Unison’s two concert series, collectively Death of Classical, include The Crypt Sessions, which features solo and chamber performances in a Crypt Chapel in Harlem, and The Angel’s Share, which presents chamber music and fully staged operas in the Catacombs at The Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn. Both series have been covered by all major cultural outlets, and The Crypt Sessions was named one of The New York Times’ “Best Classical Music Concerts of 2017.” https://www.deathofclassical.com/cryptsessions

About Death of Classical (The Crypt Sessions and The Angel’s Share):

The Crypt Sessions

Our two concert series,The Crypt Sessions and The Angel’s Share, collectively Death of Classical, represent a new kind of integrated marketing, as we use them to present our PR and marketing clients in performances that garner significant media coverage, and put them in an intimate, performer-focused setting where media and industry can feel a personal connection. Via a tightly controlled and integrated marketing and PR presence, we’ve built an email list and brand around the series that allows us to sell out concerts in 3-5 minutes, and sell out the entire 1500-ticket series of The Angel’s Share with just a pair of email blasts to our list.

Controlling all elements of the performances--from artistic direction and repertoire curation, to marketing and promotion, to producing and presenting--allows us to get a full, unified picture of a microcosm of larger productions, and understand which PR/marketing initiatives sell tickets, which raise awareness, and which are more industry-focused. This also allows us to market and promote our artists in powerful new ways, while also building the brand of the company in general.


2nd Place:
Mission Minded
San Francisco Opera
Rod Lemaire
San Francisco CA 

Mission Minded—San Francisco Opera

Mission Minded is a branding firm that works exclusively with nonprofits. We believe that nonprofits only reach their highest potential if people understand the importance of their work—not just what they do, but why it matters. Every day we partner with clients like San Francisco Opera, Los Angeles Music Center, and California Symphony to help them determine the brand—or reputation—for which they want to be known. Then we help them bring that brand to life through key messages, logo design, web design, campaigns, and more. As a result, our clients successfully raise more money and attract the support they need to reach their goals. https://mission-minded.com/

About San Francisco Opera's Embrace Emotion—2018-19 Season Campaign:

Opera acts as a portal to self-discovery of the hidden emotions and experiences in each of us. San Francisco Opera’s current campaign captures these visceral emotions through the intensity of the theatrical experience. Photographic images show characters in a heightened state of emotion of love, jealousy, fear, lust. The handwriting, swirling with enthusiastic energy, reveals the feeling behind each story and taps into what’s alive in you, the audience, encouraging you to relate, connect, and share more authentically.
 

3rd Place:
Distinguished Concerts International NY
Andrea Niederman
New York NY  

Distinguished Concerts International NY

CHANGING LIVES THROUGH THE POWER OF PERFORMANCE
Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) is the leading producer of dynamically charged musical excellence. With its unforgettable concert experiences in renowned venues, empowering educational programs, and its global community of artists and audiences, DCINY changes lives through the power of performance.



Congratulations!

WINNERS: conductors (orchestral programming), 2018-19

Vytautas Marijosius

The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts, David (Volosin) Katz, founder and chief judge, is pleased to announce the 2018-19 winners and runners-up in orchestral programming, The Vytautas Marijosius Memorial Award. Congratulations!

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.  

You can read more about Maestro Marijosius here: http://rememberingmarijosius.blogspot.com/2010/11/t-o-t-h-e-r-e-c-i-p-i-e-n-t-o-f-h-e-v-y.html
Or visit the collection of historic documents, programs and photographs of the artist here: https://marijosius.tumblr.com/

Complete listings of finalists and semi-finalists in The American Prize competitions may be found elsewhere on this blog. Please use the chronological tool in the right-hand column to find specific results.

QUICKNOTES: Although The American Prize does not usually provide written evaluations to semi-finalists, some semi-finalist composers will receive in their certificate packets short comments, suggestions or overall impressions made during the judging. We hope they will prove valuable. All finalists receive written evaluations from a member of The American Prize judging panel.

REMINDER: Because of many requests from artists with late spring and early summer performances, The American Prize 2019-20 will accept applications from CLASSICAL VOCALISTS, PIANISTS, CHAMBER ENSEMBLES and INSTRUMENTAL SOLOISTS postmarked or emailed by the new extended deadline date of
Monday, July 1, 2019, with extensions available by email request. (theamericanprize@gmail.com)

Applications from COMPOSERS, CONDUCTORS, STAGE DIRECTORS, CONDUCTED ENSEMBLES, ARTS MARKETERS and in the performance of American Music (BACON AWARD) will be accepted until  
Monday, August 5, 2019. (Please note that although the dates on the application forms may not be changed, rest assured that your materials will be accepted if sent by the new deadline dates in the respective contest areas.)

Please make us aware of any misprints: theamericanprize@gmail.com


The American Prize in Orchestral Programming / Vytautas Marijosius Memorial Award—college/university division

The American Prize Winner:
Jeffery Meyer
ASU Symphony Orchestra
Tempe AZ     

Jeffery Meyer

An accomplished conductor, pianist, and educator, Jeffery Meyer launched his career as a champion of contemporary orchestral music and innovative collaborations. He currently holds positions as Director of Orchestras at Arizona State University and as the Artistic Director of the St. Petersburg Chamber Philharmonic. In recent concert seasons, he has performed as a chamber musician and conductor throughout North America, Europe, China, Russia, and Southeast Asia.

In 2010, he led the St. Petersburg Chamber Philharmonic in its United States debut with three performances at Symphony Space’s “Wall-to-Wall” Festival in New York City which the New York Times called “impressive”, “powerful”, “splendid”, and “blazing.” His programming in the United States has been recognized with three ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming. He was a prizewinner in the 2008 International Conducting Competition “Antonio Pedrotti” and the winner of the 2013 American Prize in Conducting.


2nd Place:
Rachel L. Waddell
University of Rochester Orchestras
Rochester NY 

Rachel L. Waddell

Rachel L. Waddell is in her second season as Director of Orchestral Activities at the University of Rochester, where she directs the symphony and chamber orchestras. Prior to Rochester, she served as the Associate Conductor of the Canton Symphony Orchestra and Music Director of the award-winning Canton Youth Symphonies. While with Canton, Waddell conducted over eighty performances. In 2016 she conducted the Ohio premier of Christopher Theofanidis’ Dreamtime Ancestors with the CSO.

In addition to her work with the CSO and CYS, Waddell became the first women to guest conduct Cleveland’s Suburban Symphony Orchestra in 2016. In January 2018 she guest conducted the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra in a performance of Peter and the Wolf with the Nazareth College Dance Ensemble. Cleveland Classical describes Waddell’s conducting as “distinctly animated” with “charismatic fervor….a sensibility eagerly reciprocated by the orchestra as it responded with marvelous tonal depth and palpable exuberance.” 


3rd Place (there was a tie):
Chris Younghoon Kim
Cornell Orchestra
Ithaca NY  

Chris Younghoon Kim with Wynton Marsalis at Cornell.

Cornell Orchestras under the direction of Chris Younghoon Kim, present multiple concerts during each academic school year and consists of Cornell Chamber Orchestra and Cornell Symphony Orchestra. The membership of the orchestra is formed from students of all colleges and departments across the university-wide community.  It is the only non-music major orchestra to win first place among collegiate orchestras the ASCAP award for Adventurous Programming of Contemporary music during the 2008-2009 season. It has won the Adventurous awards for 6 years in a row from 2008-2014. For the last nine seasons Cornell Orchestras have been jointly producing the Ithaca International conducting masterclasses with Ithaca College Symphony Orchestra.


3rd Place (there was a tie):
David Rahbee
University of Washington Symphony Orchestra
Seattle WA   

David Rahbee

David Alexander Rahbee is currently Senior Artist in Residence at the University of
Washington School of Music in Seattle, where he is Director of Orchestral Activities and teaches conducting. He also serves of faculty of the Pierre Monteux School and Music Festival as Conducting Associate. He is recipient of the American- Austrian Foundation's 2003 Karajan Fellowship for Young Conductors, the 2005 International Richard-Wagner-Verband Stipend, and the Acanthes Centre in Paris in 2007. He has recently worked with the Seattle Symphony, Orchesterakademie der Bochumer Symphoniker, the Seattle Modern Orchestra, and Orquesta Sinfónica de Loja. He participated in masterclasses with Kurt Masur, Sir Colin Davis, Jorma Panula, Zdeněk Mácal, Peter Eötvös, and Zoltán Peskó. His principal conducting teachers were Charles Bruck and Michael Jinbo at the Monteux School. He holds degrees from Indiana University, New England Conservatory, and University of Montreal. He also studied at Universität für Musik und Darstellende Kunst, Vienna.



The American Prize in Orchestral Programming / Vytautas Marijosius Memorial Award—community/youth division

The American Prize Winner:
David William Oertel
Starlight Symphony Orchestra
Wimberley TX   

David William Oertel

David William Oertel is the Music Director and Conductor of the Starlight Symphony Orchestra (TX) and the Austin Philharmonic. Oertel is working with David Daniels as a co-author for the book, “Daniels’ Orchestra Music” the 6th Edition. He has also appeared as a guest conductor in venues from Houston, TX to St. Petersburg, Russia. Oertel has taught music in the public schools and has been on the faculty of universities in North Carolina. He has worked with youth orchestras, musical theatre and opera pit orchestras, concert and jazz orchestras as well as numerous small ensembles. He studied at the University of North Texas, University of Houston and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Oertel’s influential conducting mentors include Robert Linder, David Daniels, Max Rudolf, Kirk Trevor, Hans Graf, Niklaus Wyss, Adrian Gnam and Franz Krager.


2nd Place:
Robert Boardman
South Bend Youth Symphony Orchestras
South Bend IN

Robert Boardman

Robert Boardman is the 1st place winner nationally for The American Prize 2015 Maestro Vytautas Marijosius Memorial Award in Orchestral Programming, and 2nd Place winner in 2016 and 2014. Robert's passion for orchestral performance emerges from the transformative power of experiencing the profound works of human craft, ingenuity, and creativity. Boardman seeks to both discover and re-discover ways in which the orchestra can be a vital social force in our dynamically changing world.

His recent artistic engagements include the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music where he has served as Assistant Conductor for two seasons. As assistant to Music Director Maestra Marin Alsop, he worked along side composers John Adams, Philip Glass, Jennifer Higdon, and Mark Anthony Turnage, to name a few. Robert has relished a lifelong interest in contemporary orchestral music. In addition to having composed over a dozen original works, he is drawn to the music's freshness, sense of event, and artistic relevance to our time.

Since 2006, Boardman has served as Assistant Conductor for Howard Shore's film score "The Lord of the Rings Symphony" with CAMI Music for which he has assisted in over 30 performances, including a tour of Germany. In this position, he has worked with the orchestras and choruses of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Vancouver Symphony, Calgary Philharmonic and Minnesota Orchestra, among others.


3rd Place (there was a tie):
Donald L. Appert
The Jewish Community Orchestra of Portland
Portland OR   

Donald L. Appert

Donald Appert has been Music Director/Conductor of the Jewish Community Orchestra in Portland, Oregon since 2012. He has guest conducted orchestras in Europe, Central America, Japan and Australia. Currently he is a Professor of Music and Head of the Music Department at Clark College in Vancouver, Washington. In addition he is the Music Director/Conductor of the Clark College Orchestra and of the Oregon Sinfonietta.  He received The American Prize in Orchestral Programming—Vytautas Marijosius Memorial Award in 2011, an Honorable Mention in 2012, 3rd Place in 2014, and 2nd Place in 2015. He was also Honored Artist of the American Prize in 2015. In 2014 he received the Clark County (WA) Arts Commission Lifetime Achievement in the Arts Award. He has received the ASCAPLUS Award numerous times. Videos of his conducting and his original compositions may be seen and heard via the Internet on his web site at www.maestrodonappert.com.


3rd Place (there was a tie):
Reuben Blundell
Landsdowne Symphony Orchestra
Landsdowne PA 

Reuben Blundell

In 2017-18 the LSO released its first CD, on the New Focus label, featured by Spotify, WRTI’s Fleisher Discoveries, and other radio stations across the United States. Recent and upcoming soloists include Philadelphia’s David Kim and David Cramer, cellist Julian Schwarz, violist Roberto Díaz, and soprano Lisa DiNolfo. The orchestra was founded in 1946 and is widely regarded as the best of the Philadelphia area’s community orchestras. www.lansdowneso.org

The year was Reuben Blundell’s fourth as Music Director. Attaining degrees in violin performance in Australia, he attended Tanglewood and Michael Tilson Thomas’ New World Symphony. With a doctorate in conducting from Eastman (Neil Varon and Zvi Zeitlin), and Monteux School studies, his career has included two tenure-track positions, conducting three commercial CDs, directing the Riverside Orchestra in New York, and conducting the Chelsea Symphony, and orchestras in Chile, Iraq and Lebanon. He also teaches at Trinity School, NYC. www.reubenblundell.com


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Congratulations!

FINALISTS: orchestras, 2018-19

The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts, David (Volosin) Katz, founder and chief judge, is pleased to announce FINALIST orchestras for 2018-19 in all divisions. Congratulations!

"Wonderful listening, and a wide-open contest in virtually every division—many orchestras were advanced, deserving of recognition and evaluation—for impressive performances and some unusual repertoire."—DK

Runners-up and winners will be selected from this list. To know the exact date when results will be announced, please like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter #AmericanPrize, where that information will be published first.

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: theamericanprize@gmail.com

"At The American Prize, there is never a set number of finalists in any category or division. We also try hard to not be about "winners" and "losers," but always seek to encourage excellence, creativity and imagination. That is one reason why we post the following statement with every finalist listing."—DK

If you are not a finalist this year, please remember that the contests are not yet over. The American Prize reserves the right to award Honorable Mentions and Citations for Special Achievement to any contestant, regardless of final placement. TAP has honored a number of semi-finalists and quarter finalists in the past--to recognize a unique talent or focus, unusual repertoire, vital programming or outreach. Citations and Honorable Mentions are usually awarded at the same time as winners and runners-up, but can be presented at any time up to the last winners' announcement of the contest year.
 
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.

REMINDER: Because of many requests from artists with late spring and early summer performances, The American Prize 2019-20 will accept applications from CLASSICAL VOCALISTS, PIANISTS, CHAMBER ENSEMBLES and INSTRUMENTAL SOLOISTS postmarked or emailed by the new extended deadline date of  
Monday, July 1, 2019, with extensions available by email request. (theamericanprize@gmail.com)

Applications from COMPOSERS, CONDUCTORS, STAGE DIRECTORS, CONDUCTED ENSEMBLES, ARTS MARKETERS and in the performance of American Music (BACON AWARD) will be accepted until  
Monday, August 5, 2019. (Please note that although the dates on the application forms may not be changed, rest assured that your materials will be accepted if sent by the new deadline dates in the respective contest areas.)

NATIONAL FINALISTS: The American Prize in Orchestral Performance—professional division, 2018-19

Gowanus Arts Ensemble
Reuben Blundell
Brooklyn NY  
  
Oconomowoc Chamber Orchestra
Roberta Carpenter
Oconomowoc WI  
  
Distinguished Concerts Orchestra 
Jonathan Griffith
New York NY  
  
Western Piedmont Symphony
John Gordon Ross
Hickory NC  
  
Symphony Number One
Jordan Randall Smith
Baltimore MD     

Michigan Philharmonic
Nan Harrison Washburn
Plymouth MI  

 
NATIONAL FINALISTS: The American Prize in Orchestral Performance—college/university division,  2018-19

St. Olaf Orchestra
Steven Amundson
Northfield MN  
  
West Texas A&M University Orchestra 
Mark Bartley
Canyon TX  
  
OSU Symphony Orchestra
Thomas Dickey
Stillwater OK  
  
William & Mary Symphony Orchestra 
David Grandis
Williamsburg VA  
  
Baylor Symphony Orchestra 
Stephen Heyde
Waco TX  
  
FSU Symphony Orchestra
Alexander Jimenez
Tallahassee FL  
  
Davidson College Symphony Orchestra
Tara Villa Keith
Davidson NC  
  
Cornell Symphony Orchestra
Chris Younghoon Kim
Ithaca NY  
  
ASU Symphony Orchestra
Jeffery Meyer
Tempe AZ  
  
NAU Symphony
Daniel O'Bryant  
Flagstaff AZ
 
University of Washington Symphony Orchestra
David Rahbee
Seattle WA  
  
The Concordia Orchestra
Kevin Sutterlin
Moorhead MN  


NATIONAL FINALISTS: The American Prize in Orchestral Performance—community orchestra division, 2018-19

Lake Geneva Symphony Orchestra 
David Anderson
Lake Geneva WI  
  
Oregon Sinfonietta
Donald L. Appert
Portland OR     

Clark College Orchestra
Donald L. Appert
Vancouver WA  
 
Lansdowne Symphony Orchestra
Reuben Blundell
LandsdownePA  
  
The Riverside Orchestra
Reuben Blundell
New York NY  
  
Texas Medical Center Orchestra
Patricia Brown
Houston TX  
Libi Lebel, conductor
  
Baytown Symphony Orchestra
Pierre-Alain Chevalier
Baytown TX  
  
Carlisle Chamber Orchestra 
Kathleen Chick
Carlisle MA 
Alan Yost, conductor
  
Austin Civic Orchestra
Lois Ferrari
Austin TX

Williamson County Symphony Orchestra 
John B. Gordon
Round Rock TX  
Thomas Rainey, conductor
  
Springfield Drury Civic Orchestra 
Christopher Koch
Springfield MO  
  
Waynesboro Symphony Orchestra 
Charles Salembier
Waynesboro VA 
Peter Wilson, conductor
  
Parthenon Chamber Orchestra
David P. Sartor
Nashville TN  


NATIONAL FINALISTS: The American Prize in Orchestral Performance—youth orchestra division, 2018-19

Houston Youth Symphony
Sarah D. Loudermilk
Houston TX 
Michael Webster, conductor
  
Portland Youth Philharmonic
Noreen Murdock
Portland OR 
David Hattner, conductor
  
Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra 
Patrick Reynolds
Dayton OH 

Greenville County Youth Orchestra / Young Artist Orchestra 
Emily Schaad
Greenville SC  
  
Denver Young Artists Orchestra
Kelly Waltrip
Denver CO  
Wes Kenney, conductor


NATIONAL FINALISTS: The American Prize in Orchestral Performance—high school orchestra division, 2018-19

Herricks HS Chamber Orchestra
Catherine Fish
New Hyde Park NY  
  
Klein Chamber Orchestra
Creston Herron
Klein TX  
  
Sartartia Middle School Symphony Orchestra 
Sophia Hsieh
Sugar Land TX  
   
Interlake HS Chamber Orchestra
Shira Katsman
Bellevue WA  
  
Denver School of the Arts Full Orchestra
Enrique Lasansky
Denver CO  
  
Denver School of the Arts String Orchestra 
Enrique Lasansky
Denver CO  
  
Klein Oak HS Symphony Orchestra 
Tanner Ledford
Houston TX  
  
Klein Oak HS Chamber Orchestra 
Tanner Ledford
Houston TX  
  
Westwood Symphony Orchestra
Joshua Thompson
Austin TX  



***

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.

Here is a sample announcement:

"Great News! Our ensemble has 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 results in the division soon. You can learn more about this prestigious national competition here: www.theamericanprize.org or follow the news on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-American-Prize-celebrating-American-excellence-in-the-arts/214320622728 or Twitter: https://twitter.com/americanprize "

Please feel free to modify or expand this announcement to suit your needs.

Congratulations to all finalists.


  

FINALISTS: bands / wind ensembles, 2018-19

(This updated listing was revised 7/6/19 to more accurately reflect the original posting of band finalists made in May.) The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts, David (Volosin) Katz, founder and chief judge, is pleased to announce FINALIST bands and wind ensembles for 2018-19 in all divisions. Congratulations!

"VERY good bands. Exceptional repertoire—and in the college/university division, again a very close race—marvelous performances."—DK

Runners-up and winners will be selected from this list. To know the exact date when results will be announced, please like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter #AmericanPrize, where that information will be published first.

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: theamericanprize@gmail.com

"At The American Prize, there is never a set number of finalists in any category or division. We also try hard to not be about "winners" and "losers," but always seek to encourage excellence, creativity and imagination. That is one reason why we post the following statement with every finalist listing."—DK

If you are not a finalist this year, please remember that the contests are not yet over. The American Prize reserves the right to award Honorable Mentions and Citations for Special Achievement to any contestant, regardless of final placement. TAP has honored a number of semi-finalists and quarter finalists in the past--to recognize a unique talent or focus, unusual repertoire, vital programming or outreach. Citations and Honorable Mentions are usually awarded at the same time as winners and runners-up, but can be presented at any time up to the last winners' announcement of the contest year.
 
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.

REMINDER: Because of many requests from artists with late spring and early summer performances, The American Prize 2019-20 will accept applications from CLASSICAL VOCALISTS, PIANISTS, CHAMBER ENSEMBLES and INSTRUMENTAL SOLOISTS postmarked or emailed by the new extended deadline date of  
Monday, July 1, 2019 with extensions available by email request. (theamericanprize@gmail.com)
Applications from COMPOSERS, CONDUCTORS, STAGE DIRECTORS, CONDUCTED ENSEMBLES, ARTS MARKETERS and in the performance of American Music (BACON AWARD) will be accepted until
Monday, August 5, 2019. (Please note that although the dates on the application forms may not be changed, rest assured that your materials will be accepted if sent by the new deadline dates in the respective contest areas.)


NATIONAL FINALISTS: The American Prize in Wind Ensemble / Concert Band Performance—college/university division,
2018-19

CSUSB Symphonic Band
Nicholas Bratcher
San Bernardino CA  
  
University of Houston Wind Ensemble
David Clemmer
Houston TX  
  
NEC Symphonic Winds
William Drury
Boston MA  
  
Capital University Symphonic Winds
Jeffrey D. Gershman
Columbus OH  
  
Slippery Rock University Symphonic Wind Ensemble
Jonathan Helmick
Slippery Rock PA  
  
University of Arkansas Wind Ensemble
Chris Knighten
Fayetteville AR  
  
Sacramento State Symphonic Wind Ensemble
Matthew C. Morse
Sacramento CA  
  
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Wind Ensemble.
Devin Otto
Oshkosh WI  
  
Wichita State University Wind Ensemble
Timothy Shade
Wichita KS  
  
UNC Charlotte Wind Ensemble
Shawn Smith
Charlotte NC  
  
Missouri State University Wind Ensemble
John Zastoupil
Springfield MO  


NATIONAL FINALISTS: The American Prize in Wind Ensemble / Concert Band Performance—community division,
2018-19

The Allentown Band
Ronald Demkee
Allentown PA  
  
Westchester Symphonic Winds
Curt Ebersole
Tarrytown NY  
  
Quincy Concert Band
Dr. Trent A. Hollinger
Quincy IL  
  
Quad City Wind Ensemble
Brian Hughes
Davenport IA

Camellia City Flute Choir
Martin Melicharek III
Sacramento CA  
  
Los Alamos Community Winds
Ted Vives
Los Alamos NM


 
NATIONAL FINALISTS: The American Prize in Wind Ensemble / Concert Band Performance—high school division,
2018-19

Huntley High School Wind Ensemble
Philip Carter
Huntley IL  
  
Charlotte Catholic Symphonic Winds
Timothy Cook
Charlotte NC  
  
North Hills High School Wind Ensemble
Len Lavelle
Pittsburgh PA  

***

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.

Here is a sample announcement:

"Great News! Our ensemble has 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 results in the division soon. You can learn more about this prestigious national competition here: www.theamericanprize.org or follow the news on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-American-Prize-celebrating-American-excellence-in-the-arts/214320622728 or Twitter: https://twitter.com/americanprize "

Please feel free to modify or expand this announcement to suit your needs.

Congratulations to all finalists.


  

WINNERS: composers (major choral works), 2018-19

The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts, David (Volosin) Katz, chief judge, is honored to announce the winners, runners-up and honorable mentions of The American Prize in Composition, 2018-19, major choral works. Congratulations!

Complete listings of finalists and semi-finalists in The American Prize competitions may be found elsewhere on this blog. Please use the chronological tool in the right-hand column to find specific results.

QUICKNOTES: Although The American Prize does not usually provide written evaluations to semi-finalists, some semi-finalist composers will receive in their certificate packets short comments, suggestions or overall impressions made during the judging. We hope they will prove valuable. All finalists receive written evaluations from a member of The American Prize judging panel.

REMINDER: Because of many requests from artists with late spring and early summer performances, The American Prize 2019-20 will accept applications from CLASSICAL VOCALISTS, PIANISTS, CHAMBER ENSEMBLES and INSTRUMENTAL SOLOISTS postmarked or emailed by the new extended deadline date of
Monday, July 1, 2019, with extensions available by email request. (theamericanprize@gmail.com)

Applications from COMPOSERS, CONDUCTORS, STAGE DIRECTORS, CONDUCTED ENSEMBLES, ARTS MARKETERS and in the performance of American Music (BACON AWARD) will be accepted until  
Monday, August 5, 2019. (Please note that although the dates on the application forms may not be changed, rest assured that your materials will be accepted if sent by the new deadline dates in the respective contest areas.)

Please make us aware of any misprints: theamericanprize@gmail.com


The American Prize in Composition—(major choral works), 2018-19

The American Prize winner:
Nilo Alcala
North Hollywood CA
Manga Pakalagian (Ceremonies)   

Nilo Alcala

Nilo Alcala’s works have been performed in Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. He is the first Philippine-born composer to receive the COPLAND HOUSE Residency Award, as well to be commissioned and premiered by the Grammy-nominated Los Angeles Master Chorale.

Alcala’s awards include the POLYPHONOS Young Composer Award from The Esoterics (Seattle, WA), IGNITE Commissioning Competition of  C4: The Choral Composer/Conductor Collective (New York, NY),  Asian Composers League Young Composer Award (Israel), the very first Ani ng Dangal (Harvest of Honor) from the Philippine President, and Musical America Worldwide's Artist of the Month. Music His commissions include the National Music Competition for Young Artists; Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Festival; Korean Ministry of Culture; Asia-Europe Foundation; Metro Manila Concert Orchestra, Manila Symphony Orchestra, San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra, and other ensembles. Notable collaborations include performances by the World Youth Choir (2018 & 2019), and the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra. Alcala's works have been performed by  winning ensembles in international choral competitions as well as choral symposiums and festivals around the world.

Alcala was composer-in-residence of the Philippine Madrigal Singers which premiered his works in international competitions such as the 2006 Florilege Vocal de Tours (France); the 2007 and 2017 European Grand Prix for Choral Singing (Italy); and events including the American Choral Directors Association National Conference (Dallas, TX); the 9th World Symposium on Choral Music (Argentina); and America Cantat 7 (Colombia). In 2017, The group also released a CD and digital album of Alcala’s choral works entitled ONOMATOPOEIA: The Choral Works of Nilo Alcala.

An Asian Cultural Council grantee, Alcala is also a Billy Joel Fellow at Syracuse University where he earned an MMus in Composition and received the Irene L. Crooker Music Award. He holds a BM in Composition at the University of the Philippines, graduating Magna cum laude and recipient of Gawad Chancelor Natatanging Mag-aaral (Chancellor’s Outstanding Student Award).

Committed to educating the next generation, Alcala was composer-mentor  for Pasadena Master Chorale’s “Listening to the Future” program (2016-2019) for promising high school composers.

Commissioned and premiered by the Los Angeles Master Chorale for its "Made in LA" concert in 2015, MANGÁ PAKALAGIÁN (Ceremonies) is a multi movement suite for choir and kulintang ensemble that takes inspiration from the Maguindanao people of Southern Philippines and how they use traditional music to punctuate or celebrate events in the community, thus elevating these events into a ceremony.

The kulintang is the foremost traditional percussion ensemble in Maguindanao and is a set of graduated metallic gongs which plays the melody. Kulintang also refers to the traditional repertoire as well as the whole percussion ensemble itself. The Maguindanaons play a specific traditional kulintang piece for every occasion, ritual, or ceremony. Featured in Manga Pakalagian are three of these ceremonies, with actual traditional kulintang music as preludes.

The world premiere on November 15, 2015 at the Disney Concert Hall featured the LA Master Chorale (Grant Gershon, Artistic Director) together with the late master kulintang artist Danongan Danny Kalanduyan with his group SUBLA on the kulitang ensemble.
 

2nd Place:
Lansing McLoskey
Miami FL
Zealot Canticles

Lansing McLoskey

Lansing McLoskey’s Zealot Canticles won the 2019 GRAMMY for Best Choral Performance. His music has been performed in 21 countries on six continents, and has won more than two dozen national/international awards, including the 2016 American Prize, the 2016 Robert Avalon International Composition Prize, the 2018 Boston Choral Ensemble Choral Commission Competition, the 2018 Copland House Award, and two awards from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. He has been commissioned by the Fromm Foundation, NEA, Meet The Composer, Pew Charitable Trusts, the International Joint Wind Quintet Project, and numerous ensembles. Recent commissions include a Barlow Commission for a full-length opera for Guerilla Opera (Boston); Copland House; ensemberlino vocale (Berlin); the New Spectrum Foundation for violinist Miranda Cuckson; Kammerkoret NOVA (Oslo, Norway); Passepartout Duo (Berlin); and Splinter Reeds. Professor at the Frost School of Music, his music is released on Albany Records, WergoSchallplatten, Capstone, Tantara, LAWO, Equilibrium, and Beauport Classics. McLoskey is an avid surfer, skateboarder, and cyclist. www.lansingmcloskey.com
 

3rd Place: 
Stephen E. Caldwell
Fayetteville AR
Pre-Existing Condition 

Stephen E. Caldwell

Dr. Stephen Caldwell is Director of Choral Activities at the University of Arkansas. Since his arrival at Arkansas in 2012, he has twice been awarded the Associated Student Government's “Top 10 Most Outstanding Faculty Award” (2014-2015, 2016-2017), he has received “The Golden Tusk” from the Division of Student affairs for “going above and beyond, and helping to make campus life better for everyone,” the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette named Dr. Caldwell as one of 2017's “Top 10 Artistic People to Watch,” and he was chosen as a 2018 ACDA International Conducting Fellow. His original, award-winning compositions and arrangements have been performed throughout the world. His composition, “Since we loved,” is published in the NCCO Choral Series with ECS Music.  He holds degrees from the University of Northern Colorado, Temple University, and Rutgers University.


Finalist Honorable Mention:
Judith Cloud
Flagstaff AZ
Feet of Jesus

Judith Cloud

Composer Judith Cloud is well known for her vocal writing that originates out of her own experiences as an accomplished mezzo–soprano soloist. Her songs have been described as “eminently singable, displaying a rich harmonic palate with an audience-entrancing sense of vocal line that is both dramatic and beautiful.” A composer of instrumental works, as well, Cloud composed HiJinx! for Peter Wright, principal clarinet with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra for the 2014-15 season. In 2012 Summit Records released an art song CD entitled Letting Escape a Song. Other recordings include Spirituals (BIS-Northern Lights) with her cantata set to Langston Hughes poetry, Feet of Jesus, for soprano and baritone soloists, soprano saxophone, chorus and organ, recorded by the Saint Jacob’s Kammerchor in Stockholm. In October 2009, Cloud was awarded first prize for the prestigious Sorel Medallion Competition with her work Anacreontics for chorus and guitar, with a performance in Zankel Hall-Carnegie.


Finalist Honorable Mention:
Kyle Kindred
Humble TX
Canciones de Alfaro   

Kyle Kindred

The melodramatic and occasionally theatrical works of Kyle Kindred (b.1978) have been performed throughout the US, Canada, Japan, Europe, and South America. Kindred is a two-time finalist in the American Prize competition. Recent projects include Symphony No. 1 for Winds and Percussion: The Remnant and A Longmont Overture, an orchestral commission by the Longmont Symphony of Longmont, Colorado. In 2015, Kindred was commissioned to compose a Spanish oratorio for the musicians of the 2015 Encuentro de Jóvenes Músicos Bolivianos and Sam Houston State University. Kindred is a featured composer in the GIA Teaching Music Through Performance in Band series as well as a contributing author for GIA Publications’ Composers on Composing for Band, Volume 4, edited by Mark Camphouse.  His principal teachers were Walter Mays, Dean Roush, Donald Grantham, and 2012 Pulitzer Prize-winner Kevin Puts. Kindred is currently Associate Professor and Director of Composition Studies at Sam Houston State University.


Finalist Honorable Mention:
John Muehleisen
Mukilteo WA
The Field   

John Muehleisen

John Muehleisen’s 150+ vocal and choral works have been described as “masterful …imaginatively harmonized…beautifully realized…and brilliantly crafted.” He has been Composer-in-Residence for Opus 7 Vocal Ensemble since 1996, for the Dale Warland Singers (2003–2004), and for Choral Arts Northwest (2011-2012 and 2016–2017). He has also received commissions from Conspirare, The Esoterics, Harvard Glee Club, Northwest Girlchoir, Seattle Girl’s Choir, Seattle Pro Musica, and Volti. More than 80 of his compositions have been recorded commercially, and his works have been performed throughout North America, Europe, and Asia by esteemed conductors including John Alexander, Anton Armstrong, and Craig Hella Johnson. His oratorios about compassion (Pietà) and WWI (But Who Shall Return Us Our Children – A Kipling Passion) have received more than 20 performances. Awards include the 1988 Louisville Orchestra Composition Prize, Third Place in the 2013 American Prize in Professional Choral Composition, and the 2014 Dale Warland Singers Commissioning Award.



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Congratulations!