Winners: CONDUCTORS (band/wind ensemble), 2019-20

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

Verena Mosenbichler-Bryant  

Verena Mösenbichler-Bryant serves as Associate Professor of the Practice of Music at Duke University, Director of the Duke University Wind Symphony, Director of Undergraduate Studies for the music department, and Artistic Director & conductor of the Durham Medical Orchestra.

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      

Jack A. Eaddy, Jr.           

Jack A. Eaddy, Jr., a native of Orangeburg, SC, is the Assistant Director of Bands at McNeese State University. Dr. Eaddy earned the Doctor of Musical Arts in Wind Conducting from the University of North Texas. He holds a Master of Music in Wind Conducting from the University of Georgia, and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Florida State University. Dr. Eaddy taught for twelve years in Orlando, FL, where he developed a program that was recognized throughout the state for maintaining high standards despite the challenges his students experienced. Dr. Eaddy received the FMEA Tom Bishop Award recognizing a director who turned a program around, making a positive difference. Dr. Eaddy has presented at several conferences, including the Midwest Clinic. As a conductor, he was a participant in the 2018 US Pershing’s Own Army Band’s conducting workshop and is a semi-finalist for the 2019 American Prize.


2nd Place (there was a tie):
Marc Sosnowchik           
University of South Florida Symphonic     
Tampa  FL     

Marc Sosnowchik           

Marc Sosnowchik serves as Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at the University of South Florida. His current teaching responsibilities include conducting the Symphonic Band, teaching courses in conducting and music education, directing the Herd of Thunder Marching Band, and overseeing all aspects of Athletic Bands at USF. Previously, Dr. Sosnowchik was Assistant Director of Bands at Oklahoma State University.

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  

Lauren Reynolds             

Lauren Reynolds is Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Concert Bands at the University of Delaware, where she conducts the UD Wind Ensemble and teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in conducting and wind literature. She received her B.M. (music education) and M.M. (conducting) from the University of Delaware, and her D.M.A. (Wind Conducting) from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where she studied with Rodney Winther. Dr. Reynolds is the founder and Music Director of the Delaware Youth Wind Ensemble. She resides in Avondale, Pennsylvania with her husband, a professional bassoonist, and her two young children.


3rd Place (there was a tie):
Corey Seapy                
Bands at the UMKC Conservatory       
Kansas City   MO    

Corey Seapy                

Corey Seapy is a dynamic conductor and educator, who has spent the last decade maximizing the artistic potential of a wide variety of ensembles. He was recently appointed Director of Bands at Millikin University in Decatur, IL after completing a DMA at the University of Missouri – Kansas City Conservatory, where he served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant and studied conducting with Steven D. Davis. Prior to his time in Kansas City, Seapy conducted and taught in Massachusetts, where he served as Music Director of the Charles River Wind Ensemble and Director of Bands at Ipswich High School. He holds a MM in Conducting from Ithaca College, where he studied with Stephen Peterson, Cynthia Johnston Turner, and Jeffery Meyer, and a BM in Music Education from Gordon College (MA), where he studied conducting with David Rox, Gerald Dolan, and Kenneth Phillips.


Finalist, Career Encouragement Certificate:
Lindsay Bronnenkant          
University of Michigan Students      
Ann Arbor   MI      

Lindsay Bronnenkant          

Lindsay Bronnenkant currently studies with Mark Scatterday at the Eastman School of Music in pursuit of a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in wind conducting. She received her master’s degree in wind conducting from the University of Michigan under the tutelage of Michael Haithcock. Her talents as a conductor have earned her several honors, including an invitation to conduct the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” at their 2017 Conductors Showcase.

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

Eddie W. Airheart             

Eddie W. Airheart earned his Doctoral of Musical Arts degree in Conducting at Texas Christian University, studying with Bobby R. Francis, Dr. Germán Gutiérrez and Dr. Christopher Aspaas. In August 2019, he was appointed Assistant Director of Bands/Professor of Music/Professor of Woodwinds at Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas where he works extensively with both the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band, as well as the over-200 member TJC Apache Marching Band.

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        

Michael Hancock              

Dr. Michael Hancock is the Assistant Director of Bands at the University of Oklahoma and conductor of the Symphony Band. He has previously served as the Interim Director of Bands at the University of Oklahoma and conductor of the Wind Symphony.  He co-directs the graduate instrumental conducting program, and teaches undergraduate conducting.

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    

Tremon Kizer                

Tremon Kizer serves as the Associate Director of Bands, Director of Athletic Bands, and Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Central Florida. In addition to serving as the lead administrator for the UCF athletic band program, he conducts the Symphonic Band, teaches courses in music education, conducting, and observe music education student interns.

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    

Nicolas Propes               

Nicolas Propes conducts the Big River Brass Band, a British-style band consisting of members from the Quad Cities (IA/IL) area. The Big River Brass Band performs in Iowa and Illinois through the summer with a holiday concert in December. Nicolas earned his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from the University of Iowa in 2002 and his Master's Degree in Conducting from the American Band College of Sam Houston State University in 2015. He began directing school bands in 2003 and established himself as a qualified and respected teacher. His ensembles received top ratings at festivals and contests, but more importantly, he inspired countless students to create music through their school years, many of whom became life-long appreciators of music. He continues conducting as director of the Big River Brass Band, an adult community ensemble, and works with students at every opportunity including ensemble/sectional coaching, guest conducting, and one-on-one conducting lessons.


2nd Place:
Greg Jackson              
Saint James Symphonic Ensemble       
Montgomery    AL  

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. 

Jackson travels across the country presenting clinics/masterclasses and performing, in addition to composing.  He is a member of the Georgia Music Educators Association, International Conductors Guild, American String Teachers Association, National Association for Music Education, National Band Association, Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity Inc., Collegiate Society of Musicians, Percussive Arts Society, Society of Composers Inc., BMI, and Bujinkan.  Greg proudly endorses Remo Inc., Innovative Percussion, Pearl Percussion and Adams. For more information, please visit www.inner3.com.


3rd Place:
Matthew Salvaggio            
University Heights Symphonic Band    
University Heights  OH   

Matthew Salvaggio            

Matthew Salvaggio is an American conductor currently holding several musical directorships. The 2019/20 season marks his third year as Music Director of the Euclid Symphony Orchestra, where his responsibilities include conducting classical, pops and educational concerts.  Additionally, he is in his fifth year as Musical and Artistic Director of the University Heights Symphonic Band, and is the conductor/co-founder of Orchestra 19, a 19th-century historical performance practice orchestra based in Cleveland.

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!