The American Prize wishes everyone safety and health during this difficult time.
The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts,
David (Volosin) Katz, chief judge, is honored to announce the winners,
runners-up, honorable mentions and citation recipient of
The American Prize in Band / Wind Ensemble Performance, 2019-20, in all divisions. 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.
COVID EXTENSION: Because of the current national and international situation, many rules have been changed and requirements eased to make it easier to apply for The American Prize 2020-21. In addition, application deadlines have been extended. We will accept applications from COMPOSERS, CLASSICAL VOCALISTS, PIANISTS, CHAMBER ENSEMBLES and INSTRUMENTAL SOLOISTS postmarked or emailed by Wednesday, September 9, 2020. Applications from CONDUCTORS, STAGE DIRECTORS, CONDUCTED ENSEMBLES, ARTS ADMINISTRATORS (arts marketing, arts education) and in the performance of American Music (BACON AWARD) will be accepted until Wednesday, September 9, 2020. Further extensions may be granted pending the most current information about the virus. Visit
theamericanprize.org for complete contest information.
Please make us aware of any misprints: theamericanprize@gmail.com
The American Prize in Band / Wind Ensemble Performance, college/university division, 2019-20
The American Prize winner:
UNLV Wind Orchestra
Thomas G. Leslie
Las Vegas NV
 |
| UNLV Wind Orchestra |
THE UNLV WIND ORCHESTRA has received international acclaim for its fresh and creative approach to music making. Performing contemporary repertoire in addition to classical masterworks, the Wind Orchestra at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas has been responsible for commissioning and premiering numerous significant new works by America’s finest young contemporary composers including Eric Whitacre, Wendell Yuponce, Jonathon Newman, Steven Bryant, and many others. In addition, the Wind Orchestra has recently commissioned and premiered new compositions by landmark American contemporary composers Bruce Broughton, Roger Nixon and James Barnes. Special highlights to past UNLV Wind Orchestra performances showcase many of the world’s finest musicians. Such notables include Brian Bowman, Eric Marienthal, Stefan Karlsson, Steve Houghton, Hideo Sano, Gregg Field, Ted Atkatz, and other fine musicians. The ensemble is comprised of music majors, non-majors and includes select graduate students enrolled in the masters and doctoral performance degree programs at UNLV.
2nd Place:
Texas A&M Kingsville Wind Symphony
Scott Jones
Kingsville TX
 |
| Texas A&M Kingsville Wind Symphony |
Comprised of 60 talented musicians from South Texas, the Wind Symphony is the premiere concert band at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Directed by Dr. Scott Anthony Jones, the Wind Symphony maintains a highly active annual performance schedule of five to six concerts, regular collaborations with composers, and serves as host ensemble to the winners of the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Music Department Concerto and Conducting Competitions. The ensemble is also committed serving the region through concert tours, clinics, and its High School Invitational Concert series. Since 2014, the Wind Symphony has performed off-campus for over 40 public schools and more than 10,000 students, educators and families.
This distinguished ensemble has been recognized for its outstanding performances at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention in 1993, 2001, 2006, 2010 and 2019, and at the 2002 College Band Directors National Association Southwest Division Conference in Houston. In recent years, the ensemble has developed a tradition of commissioning new works by composers such as Joseph Schwantner, Frank Ticheli, James Syler, Zhou Tian, Jess Langston Turner, Roy Magnuson, and others.
3rd Place:
Liberty University Wind Symphony
Stephen Kerr
Lynchburg VA
 |
| Liberty University Wind Symphony |
The Liberty University Wind Symphony, Liberty’s premier wind band, is a select instrumental ensemble comprised entirely of musically advanced residential students. Repertoire includes original and transcribed exceptional wind symphony works from all eras, including exploration of new sounds and rhythms by contemporary composers. Directed by Dr. Stephen Kerr, this fabulous ensemble has enjoyed critical acclaim from audiences, composers, and peer review. Each year, the Wind Symphony records an album, performs at least 8 times on campus, and travels on an extensive spring tour, where they perform multiple concerts at a variety of prestigious venues, including multiple performances at the CBDNA Southern Division Conferences. The Wind Symphony is proud to perform advanced works from the finest composers writing for wind bands, including John Mackey, Steven Bryant, Philip Sparke, David Maslanka, Mason Bates, and many others. In addition, the Wind Symphony regularly participates in commissions of new works for wind band.
The American Prize in Band / Wind Ensemble Performance, community band division, 2019-20
The American Prize winner:
Boulder Concert Band
Kenneth Singleton
Boulder CO
 |
| Boulder Concert Band |
The first records of a performing band in the city of Boulder, Colorado,
date back to 1870. The ICC Silver Cornet Band, as it was known,
performed weekly concerts in the pioneer town of Boulder. In the spring
of 1897 a larger band organization was formed. This group, called the
Boulder Band, was said to be the best organization of its type in
Colorado. Several decades later, the Boulder Municipal Band was formed
and was the first to include women musicians.
The Boulder
Concert Band as we know it today was reorganized in 1976 by the late
Hugh McMillen, former Director of Bands at the University of Colorado.
Considered to be one of the premier adult community bands in the state,
the current organization has more than 60 volunteer musicians. Its
members are from the business, professional, and educational communities
in the Boulder County and Denver metro area.
2nd Place:
Connecticut Flute Orchestra
Nadya Potemkina
Middletown CT
 |
| Connecticut Flute Orchestra |
The Connecticut
Flute Orchestra (CTFO), founded in 2016 by a handful of enthusiastic
flute players, is a collective of professional flutists that celebrates
the rich culture of our state with the unique sound palette, ambitious
and engaging repertoire, and diversity of a multi-flute orchestra that
features piccolo, E-flat flute, C flute, as well as alto, bass,
contrabass, and sub-contrabass flutes. CTFO members greatly enjoy
negotiating exciting musical challenges together in a supportive and
nurturing environment, and strive to make a difference in their
communities by providing unique, inspiring musical and educational
experiences suitable for listeners of all ages and from all walks of
life.
3rd Place:
The Allentown Band
Ronald Demkee
Allentown PA
 |
| The Allentown Band |
Since its first performance on July 4, 1828, Allentown
Band’s venerable existence is a testament to the value the community has
placed upon its contributions to the arts, culture and education.
Celebrating 190 years of service in 2018, the band has broadened its
impact and reach through increased concert programming and extensive
concert repertoire. Presenting 45+ stellar concerts annually with
national and regional guest artists the band additionally offers
high-quality youth educational opportunities reaching more than 14
regional school districts. As a charitable organization the band
presents unparalleled music experiences for all ages with performance
level concerts like those performed by the premier U.S. military service
bands in Washington DC and major symphony orchestras. Band members are
highly engaged in the success of the organization. Membership
represents diverse occupations that include: doctors, dentists, banking
personnel, educators, administrators, private business owners and
accountants, all who value musicianship and stellar artistic standards.
The American Prize in Band / Wind Ensemble Performance, high school band division, 2019-20
The American Prize winner:
Cuthbertson Blue Note Winds
Todd Ebert
Waxhaw NC
 |
| Cuthbertson Blue Note Winds |
Cuthbertson High School opened in 2009. The instrumental program
challenges students to pursue a musical journey of excellence. In its
tenth year, the band has grown from 29 students to over 160 today and
houses three band classes including the nationally recognized Blue note
Winds.
The Blue Note Winds Performances include NCMEA State
Convention in 2012 and 2015. The Percy Grainger Festival in 2014. A
Featured Band at the Music for All National Band Festival in 2015 and
2018. The MFA Southeast Regional in 2017. The University of Georgia
and South Carolina Band Festivals, and as one of two bands selected as a
North Carolina Honors Band at Highpoint University.
Cuthbertson
has won the Southeast division award for the National Band Associations
Blue Ribbon of Excellence and a Merit winner for 5 years with the NAMM
foundation. The Band received a residency with the John Lennon Tour Bus
In 2017.
2nd Place:
Rivera Wind Ensemble
Alex R. Torres
Brownsville TX
 |
| Rivera Wind Ensemble |
The Rivera High School Wind Ensemble serves as the
Flagship ensemble for the Rivera Raider Band program. Located in the
city of Brownsville at the very southern tip of Texas, the Rivera Band
is proud to contribute to the incredible depth of musical culture found
within the high school programs of the city. The Rivera Raider Band
consistently receives Division I ratings in both UIL Marching and
Concert evaluations in addition to strong representation at TMEA Region,
Area and State contests of individual competition. Under the recent
direction of Alex R. Torres the band has put together some of the most
accomplished concert programs in the history of the program, gaining
both local and regional attention.
3rd Place:
James Bowie Wind Symphony
Rumaldo Solis
Arlington TX
 |
| James Bowie Wind Symphony |
The James Bowie Wind Symphony is a
premiere group at James Bowie High School in Arlington, Texas. The Wind
Symphony has been a featured performer at the Western International
Band Clinic in Seattle, Washington. The Wind Symphony has been selected
as a National Commended Winner in the Mark of Excellence Project and is a
consistent 1st division award winner at the University Interscholastic
League Concert and Sight reading contest. Through a broad range of
repertoire, the students are challenged and committed to achieve
excellence and artistry at a high level.
***
Congratulations!
No comments:
Post a Comment