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 and runners-up of The American Prize in Conducting, 2019-20, in band/wind ensemble 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 EXTENSIONS: 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, October 14, 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, October 14, 2020. Further extensions may be granted pending the most current information about the virus.
Please make us aware of any misprints: theamericanprize@gmail.com
The American Prize in Conducting—band/wind ensemble (college/university division), 2019-20
The American Prize winner:
Verena Mosenbichler-Bryant
Duke University Wind Symphony
Durham NC
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Verena Mosenbichler-Bryant |
Mösenbichler-Bryant is the Executive Director of the World Youth Wind Orchestra and World Adult Wind Orchestra Projects, both part of the annual Mid-Europe festival in Austria (www.mideurope.at).
Verena Mösenbichler-Bryant’s transcription of John Corigliano’s Grammy-winning work, Mr. Tambourine Man, for Wind Ensemble and Amplified Soprano, published by G. Schirmer, was strongly praised by the composer, and has received numerous performances. Additionally, she has arranged and premiered Eric Whitacre’s Goodnight Moon for Soprano and Wind Ensemble, available through Hal Leonard. Verena serves frequently as cover conductor for the North Carolina Symphony, and as guest conductor and clinician across the United States, Taiwan, Japan, Germany, France, as well in her native Austria. verenaconductor.com
2nd Place (there was a tie):
Jack A. Eaddy, Jr.
The United States Marine Band
Washington DC
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Jack A. Eaddy, Jr. |
2nd Place (there was a tie):
Marc Sosnowchik
University of South Florida Symphonic
Tampa FL
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Marc Sosnowchik |
In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Dr. Sosnowchik maintains an active schedule as a clinician, conductor, adjudicator, and arranger. He conducts honor bands throughout the United States, and in the summer teaches on the faculty of the World Youth Wind Orchestra Project/World Adult Wind Orchestra Project as part of the Mid-Europe Festival in Schladming, Austria.
Dr. Sosnowchik earned his bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Alabama, and both his master’s and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in conducting from The University of Texas at Austin.
3rd Place (there was a tie):
Lauren Reynolds
University of Delaware Wind Ensemble
Newark DE
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Lauren Reynolds |
3rd Place (there was a tie):
Corey Seapy
Bands at the UMKC Conservatory
Kansas City MO
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Corey Seapy |
Finalist, Career Encouragement Certificate:
Lindsay Bronnenkant
University of Michigan Students
Ann Arbor MI
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Lindsay Bronnenkant |
Prior to her graduate studies Bronnenkant served as Director of Bands at the Aquinas Institute of Rochester, Director of the University of Rochester Pep Band, and Interim Conductor of the Brighton Symphony Orchestra. She is an alumna of the Nazareth College of Rochester (B.M. Music Education), where she studied conducting privately with Jared Chase and Nancy Strelau. She additionally holds a degree in science from the University of Rochester (B.S. Brain and Cognitive Sciences).
Finalist Honorable Mention:
Eddie W. Airheart
TCU Wind Symphony
Fort Worth TX
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Eddie W. Airheart |
Dr. Airheart has extensive experience with ensembles throughout his career and recent work at TCU and at TJC. He serves as Conductor-in-Residence for the Clear Creek Music Festival in Halfway, Oregon, and his wind band research has been presented for the College Band Directors National Association. He will be featured in Vol. XII of the “Teaching Music Through Performance in Band” series.
Finalist Honorable Mention:
Michael Hancock
University of Oklahoma Wind Symphony
Norman OK
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Michael Hancock |
Dr. Hancock enjoys a diverse career that spans the United States and Europe, and is active in conducting professional and educational ensembles. As the Music Director of the Heidelberg Arts Ensemble in Germany, he conducted and oversaw a multifaceted ensemble presenting concerts throughout Europe. His commitment to the performance of new music have been praised by prominent contemporary composers including Michael Colgrass, Michael Daugherty, Paul Dooley, Joel Puckett, Steven Bryant, and Walter Mays. He continues his commitment for advocating an artful music education, and frequently serves as a guest conductor and clinician throughout the United States and Europe.
Finalist Honorable Mention:
Tremon Kizer
University of Central Florida
Orlando FL
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Tremon Kizer |
In addition to his work at UCF, Dr. Kizer serves on the National Band Association Revelli Composition Contest Selection Committee, is on the Board of Directors for the Florida Youth Symphony Orchestra, and in 2021, will host the CBDNA Athletic Band Symposium. He is an active guest conductor, adjudicator, and leadership consultant. As a guest conductor, he has conducted numerous district and regional honor bands and professional ensembles such as the United States Army Band. He has been on staff for numerous music camps, drum major clinics, and collegiate and high school concert and marching band camps.
As a champion for diverse music, he conducts and presents numerous works for chamber and wind band. He frequently presents on programming literature that reflect the demographics of the students in the music classroom. He has given lectures and presented at the Midwest Band and Orchestra International Conference, the College Band Director National Conference (CBDNA), the Southern Division CBDNA Conference, the CBDNA Athletic Band Symposium, the Florida Music Educators State Conference, Kansas Music Educators State Conference, and the Kansas Bandmasters Association State Conference. He has been featured in Marching Arts Education and Teaching Music.
The American Prize in Conducting—band/wind ensemble (community/schools division), 2019-20
The American Prize winner:
Nicolas Propes
Big River Brass Band
Quad Cities IA/IL
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Nicolas Propes |
2nd Place:
Greg Jackson
Saint James Symphonic Ensemble
Montgomery AL
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Greg Jackson |
Greg Jackson is the Director of Orchestras at South Cobb High School in Metro Atlanta. He is currently on staff at Southwind Drum & Bugle Corps as an Ensemble Specialist. From 2017 until 2020 Dr. Jackson was Director of Bands at Saint James School. He was the Associate Professor of Percussion studies at Alabama State University for ten years. He received the Bachelor of Science degree in Performance with Specialization in Music Composition from Austin Peay State University, the Master of Music degree in Music Theory/Composition from The University of Alabama, and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Performance at the University of Alabama. In the Percussive Arts Society International Collegiate Snare Competition, he placed in the top 10 four consecutive years and top 4 two years.
Greg has performed with numerous artists including Tito Puente Jr., Sō Percussion, Son Caliente, Nancy Zeltsman, Michael Burritt, Tomas Cruz, Sandip Burman, Bob Mintzer of the Yellow Jackets, Tom Wolfe, Ken Watters, Skyler Foster, and Downright. He is also the author of a dozen books, a solo marimba CD and two instructional DVDs. His marimba solo, Requiem for 9/11 Op. 45, received a special acknowledgement from President Obama.
3rd Place:
Matthew Salvaggio
University Heights Symphonic Band
University Heights OH
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Matthew Salvaggio |
Prior to these appointments, Matt has served as Director of Bands on the faculty at Hiram College, and adjunct professor of conducting at Lakeland Community College. An advocate for new music, Matthew has helped commission fifteen works for winds in the last decade from composers including Mark Camphouse, Anthony O’Toole, Michael Kallstrom, Kevin Waczyk and Tony Manfredonia. Artistic collaborations include John Rautenberg (Cleveland Orchestra), John DiCesare (Seattle Symphony), Joshua Lauretig (Buffalo Philharmonic), Kyra Kester (Akron Symphony), Cameron Leach, J.c. Sherman, Emily Cornelius and ESO concertmaster Liesl Hook.
In 2019, Matt was a finalist for conducting positions with both the United States Army and Air Force Bands – an honor reserved for a select few each year. In 2015, he was a semi-finalist in the National Band Association’s Young Conductor Mentor Project. Mr. Salvaggio is active as a guest conductor and clinician and has been invited to conduct local public-school bands, community bands, summer music camps and honors ensembles. For more information, visit him on the web at www.matthewsalvaggio.com.
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Congratulations!
Congratulations, Matt!
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