The American Prize

Maestro Vytautas Marijosius

The American Prize is pleased to announce the winners and runners-up for The American Prize in Orchestral Programming—Maestro Vytautas Marijosius Memorial Award, 2014. Awards will be made in two divisions this year: collegiate and community. Here are results in the community division.

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

For nearly thirty five years Director of Orchestral Activities at the Hartt School of Music of the University of Hartford, Vytautas Marijosius programmed concerts that were alive in every sense—not programming for novelty’s sake, nor neglecting the great masters of the past—but always bringing to the awareness of his students and his audiences great composers of the current time and potential masters of the future. I believe he would be pleased in different ways with each of this year's honorees."—DK

For more about Maestro Marijosius, please visit the companion blog here.

The American Prize in Orchestral Programming
Maestro Vytautas Marijosius Memorial Award
—Community Division

The American Prize Winner:

Andrew Koehler, music director
Kalamazoo Philharmonia
Kalamazoo MI

Andrew Koehler

Andrew Koehler is currently the music director of the Kalamazoo Philharmonia, which he leads as part of his position as an associate professor of music at Kalamazoo College. In recent seasons, he has appeared as a guest with the West Michigan Symphony; the Lyatoshynsky Chamber Orchestra in Kyiv, Ukraine; and the Festival South Chamber Orchestra in Mississippi, among others. Recently, he took part in the 9th Grzegorz Fitelberg International Conductor’s Competition in Katowice, Poland, where he won First Distinction and the Youth Jury Prize. Andrew is a graduate of Yale College, where he completed a B.A. in Music and German Studies (graduating with honors and distinction in both majors). He holds a certificate in conducting from the Universität für Musik und Darstellende Kunst in Vienna, where he studied for two years as a Fulbright scholar, as well as a Masters degree from Northwestern University.

2nd Place:
Robert W. Boardman, music director
South Bend Youth Symphony Orchestra
South Bend IN

Robert W. Boardman

Robert W. Boardman, a native of Ithaca, New York, is currently Music Director and Conductor of the South Bend Youth Symphony Orchestras, and Artistic Director of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra's webcast, "Life from Orchestra Hall." He has assisted Marin Alsop at the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, and served as Associate Conductor for CAMI's worldwide tour of Howard Shore's "The Lord of the Rings Symphony."

Boardman received the DMA in Orchestral Conducting from the University of Michigan in 2010 where he studied with Kenneth Kiesler. He has participated in dozens of workshops nationwide and been a participant in masterclasses with conductors Larry Rachleff, Lorin Maazel, Kurt Mazur, Gustav Meier, JoAnn Falletta, and many other fine pedagogues.

3rd Place (there was a tie):
Donald Appert, music director
Oregon Sinfonietta
Portland OR

Donald Appert
Donald Appert has been Music Director/Conductor of the Oregon Sinfonietta since 2000. 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 Artistic Director and Conductor of the Jewish Community Orchestra in Portland, Oregon. He received The American Prize in Orchestral Programming—Vytautas Marijosius Memorial Award in 2011 for his work with the Oregon Sinfonietta and an Honorable Mention in 2012. 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.maestroappert.com.

3rd Place (there was a tie):
Nan Harrison Washburn, music director
Michigan Philharmonic
Plymouth MI

Nan Harrison Washburn

Nan Washburn, winner of The American Prize in Orchestral Conducting, professional division, in 2013, and recipient of 18 ASCAP awards, is in her 15th season as Music Director and Conductor of the Michigan Philharmonic. She has guest conducted the symphonies of Richmond, Sacramento, Wyoming, Eugene, Berkeley, Marin, Cheyenne, Dubuque, Stockton, Napa and the University of Michigan Philharmonia. Prior positions include Music Director of West Hollywood Orchestra, Orchestra Sonoma, Camellia Symphony, SF State University Orchestra and Channel Islands Symphony and the American Jazz Theater. Washburn studied at Music Academy of the West, U.C. Santa Barbara, New England Conservatory, Aspen Music Festival and the Conductors Institute. She has received the New York Women Composers’ Distinguished Service Award, Sonoma County Independent Indy Award, Girl Scout Role Model Award, KQED, San Francisco’s Outstanding Local Hero Award, City of West Hollywood Women in Leadership Award and recognized as an Sigma Alpha Iota National Arts Associate.

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Congratulations!

The American Prize is honored to announce the winner and runners-up of The American Prize in Conducting—community/youth chorus division. Congratulations! 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 make us aware of any misprints: theamericanprize@gmail.com

The American Prize in Conducting
—community chorus/youth chorus division

The American Prize winner:
TOM HALL
Baltimore Choral Arts Society
Baltimore, MD

TOM HALL

Tom Hall was appointed Music Director of the Baltimore Choral Arts Society in 1982. An Emmy Award winner in 2006 for a special on WMAR Television, he has also appeared with Choral Arts on PBS, NPR, and local public radio stations, where he hosts Choral Arts Classics, and is the co-host of Maryland Morning. Mr. Hall has appeared as a guest conductor with the Handel and Haydn Society, the Orchestre de Chambre de Paris, Musica Sacra, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the Louisiana Philharmonic, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Chorus, the Choral Arts Society of Philadelphia, the Berkshire Choral Festival, the Santa Fe Symphony, the Annapolis Symphony, the Three Choirs Festival in Chicago, and the Midwest Choral Festival in Iowa. Mr. Hall has prepared choruses for Leonard Bernstein, Robert Shaw and Helmuth Rilling, and he served for ten years as the Chorus Master of the Baltimore Opera Company.

Among judges' comments:"The energy and enthusiasm was contagious...one of the best recorded performances of Christmas music I have seen in many years."

2nd Place:
ROBERT BODE
Choral Arts
Seattle, WA

ROBERT BODE

Robert Bode is on the faculty at the Conservatory of Music and Dance at the University of Missouri- Kansas City, where he is the Raymond R. Neevel/Missouri Professor of Choral Music and Director of Choral Activities. Prior to receiving his doctorate in choral conducting from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Bode studied opera conducting with Fiora Contino at the prestigious Aspen Music Festival and was awarded a Conducting Fellowship at the University-College of Music in Cardiff.

Bode made his Carnegie Hall conducting debut in 1990 and has conducted nationally and internationally to critical acclaim. His choirs have been consistently featured in performances for the ACDA National and Regional Conventions, as well as the most recent Chorus America National Conference. Bode has been the Artistic Director and Conductor of Seattle-based Choral Arts since 2007, winning the prestigious Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence and The American Prize for best choral performance (community division).

Among judges' comments: "expressive, extremely musical, in tune with the singer's needs."

3rd Place
SUSAN MCMANE
Young Women's Chorus of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

SUSAN MCMANE

Susan McMane is the founding director of the Young Women’s Choral Projects of San Francisco, where she conducts the auditioned chorus of young women from grades 7-12 and oversees a training program for younger girls. From 2001- 2012, Dr. McMane was the Artistic Director of the San Francisco Girls Chorus where she achieved international acclaim for its concert chorus. She has served on college music faculties of Saint Louis University and the University of North Dakota, and was Founding Conductor of the St. Louis Women’s Chorale.

Dr. McMane has prepared her choirs for performances with leading symphonic conductors, and is responsible for commissioning over 20 new works from prominent composers. Her choirs have performed at the prestigious World Choral Symposium, and for the celebrated European competition, Let the Peoples Sing. Among her many honors, are three GRAMMY® awards with the San Francisco Symphony and two ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming.

Among judges' comments: "she seems to have an electric connection to these young women."

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Congratulations!

The American Prize is honored to announce the winner and runners-up of The American Prize in Conducting—college/university chorus division. Congratulations! 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 make us aware of any misprints: theamericanprize@gmail.com

The American Prize in Conducting
—college/university chorus division

The American Prize winner:
KEVIN L. BAKER, director
Southern Utah University Concert Chamber Choir
Cedar City, UT

KEVIN L. BAKER

Kevin L. Baker holds a Bachelor’s degree in music from Southwest Baptist University, a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting and the Ph.D. in music Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He spent 7 years as a high school choral director, and has held the position of Director of Choral Activities at Mineral Area College, St. Norbert College, Culver-Stockton College and Southern Utah University. He has been awarded tenure at the high school and collegiate levels and is highly active as a conductor, clinician and adjudicator, having led nearly 100 such events. He has championed community engagement and the choral/orchestral genre, starting multiple Music Masterworks programs that bring together community singers, instrumentalists and collegiate musicians. He has held membership in professional organizations such as the American Choral Directors Association, the National Association for Music Education and the National Association of Teachers of Singing.

Among judges' comments: "...clear and expressive, reflecting the musical style of each piece...a conductor easy to sing for..."

2nd Place:
DEANNA JOSEPH, director
Georgia State University Singers
Atlanta, GA

DEANNA JOSEPH
Dr. Deanna Joseph is director of choral activities at the Georgia State University School of Music, where she conducts the University Singers and leads the master's program in choral conducting. She is also the artistic director of the Atlanta Summer Conducting Institute (ASCI), a weeklong masterclass for conductors that takes place annually in June. In May of 2013, the University Singers competed in La Florilège Vocal de Tours where they placed second overall in the mixed choir category and Dr. Joseph was honored with the Prix du chef de chour. Additional honors from 2013 include an invited performance at the Georgia Music Educator's Association annual conference and the North American premiere of David Bintley's Carmina Burana with the Atlanta Ballet.

Dr. Joseph is an active guest conductor and clinician and has conducted all-state and honor choirs in more than ten states. She is a frequent conductor of choral-orchestral repertoire, and has led performances of Mendelssohn's Elijah, Beethoven Mass in C, Mozart's Requiem, Haydn's Creation and Lord Nelson Mass, Schubert's Mass in A-flat and Bruckner's Mass in D Minor. Dr. Joseph's research in the area of 19th century choral-orchestral performance-practice has led to invited presentations on the topic at several division conferences of the American Choral Director's Association and at the national convention for the National Collegiate Choral Organization. Dr. Joseph holds conducting degrees from the Eastman School of Music, where she was awarded the Walter Hagen Conducting Prize. She was a semi-finalist for the Grammy Foundation's Music Educator Award in 2014.

Among judges' comments: "Ease and naturalness, comfort and musicality...and a name to remember."

3rd Place:
TIMOTHY S. MCDONNELL, director
Ave Maria University Combined Choirs
Naples. FL

TIMOTHY S. MCDONNELL

Timothy McDonnell is conductor of the Ave Maria University Chamber Choir, as well as director of choral activities for the University. Since 2011, Maestro McDonnell has also been the director of the Symphonic Chorale of Southwest Florida. Dr. McDonnell founded the chamber choir upon assuming his post at Ave Maria University in 2007. Previous to this he served as the chapel master at the Pontifical North American College, located in Vatican City, Rome. In this capacity, he led the 38 members of the men’s choir in several liturgical services per week as well as special concert performances in the city of Rome. From 2002-2005, Dr. McDonnell served as the founding director of the ensemble Schola Nova in Philadelphia, which specialized in performing chamber and choral works from across the centuries. Dr. McDonnell is active as a composer and arranger and teaches music theory in addition to choral music at Ave Maria University.

Among judges' comments: "The conducting is clear and cues are given so that the orchestra and choir are comfortably together."

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Congratulations!

The American Prize is honored to announce the winner and runners-up of The American Prize in Conducting—youth/high school orchestra division. Congratulations! 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 make us aware of any misprints: theamericanprize@gmail.com

The American Prize in Conducting
—youth/high school orchestra division

The American Prize winner:
ANGEL VELEZ, student teacher
Santa Monica High School Symphony
Santa Monica, CA

ANGEL VELEZ

Originally from Indiana, Angel Velez currently works in Los Angeles as a conductor and orchestrator while completing graduate studies at the University of Southern California and working with the renowned Santa Monica High School orchestra program. Velez has worked on projects such as Family Guy, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, James Bond: Goldeneye for Wii, Rouge Bresil, Madison, and others. He has extensive experience as an orchestral conductor, working with orchestras such as the Berlin Sinfonietta, Yakima Symphony Chamber, Opus Orchestra of Indianapolis, and many others. He has held positions at Taylor University (Indiana) and most recently Marian University (Indiana) where he was the director of bands and head of the percussion department. Velez is a student of conducting pedagogues, Donald Thulean and Kenneth Kiesler, and holds degrees from Butler University, Berklee College of Music, and the University of Southern California.

Among judges' comments: "His technique is clear and rehearsal style relaxed yet focused and productive."

2nd Place:
MICHAEL WEBSTER, director
Houston Youth Symphony
Houston, TX

MICHAEL WEBSTER

Michael Webster is Professor of Music at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music and Artistic Director of Houston Youth Symphony. Formerly Principal Clarinet with the Rochester Philharmonic and Acting Principal Clarinet of the San Francisco Symphony, Webster has been soloist with many orchestras including the Philadelphia Orchestra with Aaron Copland and the Boston Pops with John Williams. A winner of Young Concert Artists International Auditions, he has performed with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the Tokyo, Cleveland, Ying, Muir, Chester, and Enso String Quartets, and festivals such as Marlboro, Santa Fe, Norfolk, Chamber Music Northwest, Victoria, Stratford, Domaine Forget, Angel Fire, Sitka, Maui, Steamboat Springs and Park City. He has also performed and taught in South and Central America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and China. Webster has been on the clarinet and conducting faculties of Eastman, the New England Conservatory, and the University of Michigan.

Among judges' comments: "...an experienced conductor conducting a superb group of musicians through difficult repertory."

3rd Place:
ALYZE DREILING, director
YPO Soloist Ensemble
San Diego, CA

ALYZE DREILING

Presently Ms. Dreiling is on the adjunct faculty at University of San Diego and faculty for the USD Chamber Music Festival and is adjunct faculty at Grossmont College. She is the violinist with Trio Licenza, the piano trio, in residence at USD, and she also performs as violist with Grossmont Symphony String Quartet. She is the violinist with The California Consort, founded by legendary contrabassist, Bertram Turetzky. Alyze Dreiling was born in Detroit, Michigan. She began her studies with Mischa Mischakoff. Ms. Dreiling graduated from Indiana University where she studied with Josef Gingold. Since then she has appeared as soloist with the Detroit Symphony, Philharmonica Hungarica at the Vienna Summer Festival, the Florida Chamber Orchestra, Knoxville Symphony, Knoxville Chamber Orchestra to name a few. Ms. Dreiling was founding Artistic Director/ Conductor of Classics for Kids. Alyze also served as the Violinist/Conductor of the International Chamber Players at USIU. She has played concertmaster for Donna Summers, Smoky Robinson, Dionne Warwick and Tom Scott, and for shows at the Old Globe, Civic Auditorium, LaJolla Playhouse, Lawrence Welk and Starlight Theater. She has also played with San Diego Symphony, San Diego Chamber Orchestra, and Hutchins Consort.

Among judges' comments: "…a very effective conductor…"

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Congratulations!

The American Prize is honored to announce the winners and runners-up in the community orchestra division of The American Prize in Orchestral Performance, 2014. Congratulations!

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

The American Prize in Orchestral Performance
—community orchestra division

The American Prize winner:
VALDOSTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Howard Hsu, music director
Valdosta, GA

VALDOSTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Created in 1990, the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra serves both the cultural life of Valdosta and the regional academic mission of Valdosta State University. The high standard of performance of the orchestra enables it to attract guest soloists of national and international renown to the Valdosta community. The orchestra's membership is a unique blend of resident artist-faculty, students studying professional music disciplines, talented community performers, and carefully selected professionals from a five-state region. Supported by an Advisory Board of Directors, the Valdosta Symphony Guild, Valdosta State University, corporate sponsors, and hundreds of individual patrons, the orchestra has become an important part of the cultural life of the entire region.

Among judges' comments: "The ensemble plays with excellent intonation and balance. The individual wind and brass players are of high quality and play with lovely tone."

2nd Place (there was a tie):
PARK AVENUE CHAMBER SYMPHONY
David Bernard, music director
New York, NY

PARK AVENUE CHAMBER SYMPHONY

Since its founding in 1999, the Park Avenue Chamber Symphony has built a loyal following, both in New York City and worldwide through its extensive catalog of recordings on iTunes, Naxos/ClassicsOnline, Amazon and Spotify. In 2011 the orchestra toured the People’s Republic of China performing in 9 cities including Beijing, Qingdao, Dalian, Chaoyang, Jinzhou, Shenzhen, Shenyang and Xi’an. The Park Avenue Chamber Symphony’s performances are acclaimed by New York Critics as “Triumphant...polished…exquisite…with a strong sense of style and commitment…with the depth and fervor of the old school European orchestras.” The ensemble regularly features important soloists including Carter Brey (principal cellist, New York Philharmonic), David Chan (concertmaster, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra), Jon Manasse (clarinet soloist) and Whoopi Goldberg (Oscar-winning actor and entertainer), as well as emerging artists from Juilliard, Manhattan School of Music and Mannes. The Park Avenue Chamber Symphony performs at All Saints Church on the Upper East Side of NYC, with additional performances at Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall and Avery Fisher Hall. Through its fundraising efforts, the Park Avenue Chamber Symphony has helped establish a new Scholarship Fund for students at the Juilliard School’s Pre-College Division, as well as support The Harmony Program—a New York City organization that provides music lessons to economically disadvantaged children and is modeled after Venezuela’s world-famous model of music education, “El Sistema”.

Among judges' comments: "This is an excellent orchestra with many experienced players of quality, especially in the string sections."

2nd Place (there was a tie):
SEATTLE COLLABORATIVE ORCHESTRA
Anna Edwards, music director
Seattle, WA

SEATTLE COLLABORATIVE ORCHESTRA

Seattle Collaborative Orchestra is an intergenerational, semi-professional community orchestra with a strong educational component based in collaboration. Musicians of the Seattle Collaborative Orchestra largely consist of members or alumni of Seattle high schools and University of Washington music students, in addition to members of professional music ensembles in the Seattle area (i.e. Seattle Symphony and Pacific Northwest Ballet). It is our aspiration to spread musical enjoyment to our Seattle metropolitan community.

Among judges' comments: "…sensitive ensemble playing, very accurate and musical. There are exceptional individual players in the orchestra."

3rd Place:
WAYNESBORO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Charles Salembier, music director
Waynesboro, VA

WAYNESBORO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

The Waynesboro Symphony Orchestra ( WSO ) founded in 1996, is a non-profit organization of professional, amateur and student musicians serving Waynesboro, Staunton, Charlottesville and other Central Virginia Communities. The WSO provides dedicated instrumentalists with opportunities to collaborate in an intergenerational and educational environment, to share in the joy of music-making and to contribute to the cultural vitality of the region.

Among judges' comments:"...very intense opening; deeply felt; strings very good. As a whole, a very moving and musical performance."

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Congratulations!

The American Prize is honored to announce the winner and runners-up of The American Prize in Conducting—community orchestra division. Congratulations! 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 make us aware of any misprints: theamericanprize@gmail.com

The American Prize in Conducting
—community orchestra division

The American Prize winner:
ANNA EDWARDS, music director
Seattle Collaborative Orchestra
Seattle, WA

ANNA EDWARDS

Anna Edwards, conductor, founder and music director of the Seattle Collaborative Orchestra, holds many positions as an artist/teacher in the Seattle area conducting the Seattle Festival Orchestra as interim Music Director and in the Spring of 2014, conducting the Saratoga Chamber Orchestra as one of three finalists in their Music Director search. Currently, Anna is a DMA conducting candidate at the University of Washington where she studies with Ludovic Morlot and David Rahbee. Previously, Edwards has studied conducting at the prestigious Pierre Monteux School for Conductors and Orchestra Musicians and the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music where she studied conducting with Michael Jinbo, Gustav Meier, and James Ross. Ms. Edwards is currently a member of the Auburn Symphony and has been a freelance violinist in the Seattle Metro area playing with such groups as the Pacific Northwest Ballet, Northwest Sinfonietta, and multiple chamber ensembles for the past 22 years.

Among judges' comments: "clear, musically and emotionally involved, expressive…Higdon especially impressive."

2nd Place:
DAVID BERNARD, music director
Park Avenue Chamber Symphony
New York, NY

DAVID BERNARD

Known as the energetic and incisive Music Director of New York City’s Park Avenue Chamber Symphony, David Bernard has performed in more than 20 countries on four continents, including a nine-city tour of the People's Republic of China with the Park Avenue Chamber Symphony and guest conducting appearances with the China Conservatory Orchestra, the Long Island String Festival, the Massapequa Philharmonic, the New York Symphonic Arts Ensemble, the Putnam Symphony and the South Shore Symphony. A two-time First Prize Winner of the Orchestral Conducting competition of The American Prize, David Bernard’s discography includes 17 albums spanning music from Vivaldi to Copland, including a recently released album of the Complete Beethoven Symphonies, available on Amazon.com, iTunes, Napster and Rhapsody. Of these recordings, Fanfare Magazine reviewers acclaimed "David Bernard's interpretations are splendidly proportioned; from the first note to the last the listener feels that this is the way the whole work must go...balances are expertly judged and wonderfully blended...overall, distinguished and elegant music making."

Devoted to the music of our own time, Bernard has presented world premières of scores by Bruce Adolphe, Chris Caswell, John Mackey and Ted Rosenthal, while distinguished concert collaborators include Carter Brey, David Chan, Catherine Cho, Pedro Díaz, Bart Feller, Whoopi Goldberg, Judith Ingolfsson, Christina Jennings, Jessica Lee, Jon Manasse, Todd Phillips and James Archie Worley.

Prior to the 1999 founding of the Park Avenue Chamber Symphony, David Bernard served as Music Director of the Stony Brook University Orchestra, the Gilbert and Sullivan Light Opera Company of Long Island and Theater Three. He also held the post of Assistant Conductor of both the Jacksonville and Stamford symphony orchestras.

Bernard is an alumnus of The Juilliard School, Curtis Institute of Music, Stony Brook University, Tanglewood and Saratoga Performing Arts Center, and studied with Sergiu Celibdache, David Lawton, Roger Nierenberg and Arthur Weisberg.

Among judges' comments: "The entries of orchestral ‘solos’ were clear and their character was matched by the conductor who was able to ‘accompany’ the soloists and then take charge of new aspects of the work."

3rd Place:
REUBEN BLUNDELL, conductor
The Chelsea Symphony
New York, NY

REUBEN BLUNDELL

In his first season as a conductor with The Chelsea Symphony, Reuben Blundell is in his fifth year at the City University’s prestigious Hunter College. As the Hunter Symphony’s Music Director, he has launched new-music programs, worked with choreographers and museums, and raised the orchestra’s profile through performances in new spaces. Blundell is active as a freelance conductor: recent engagements include concerts with the South Orange Symphony (NJ) and the Lansdowne Symphony (PA). In 2013 he also conducted the New World Symphony (FL) alongside Artistic Director Michael Tilson Thomas, and he also conducted and taught in Iraq during the summer, for American Voices in a project supported by the US State Department. Continuing to perform as a violinist, Reuben plays regularly in The Chelsea Symphony, and is a former fellow of the New World Symphony and Tanglewood Music Center, and received his DMA from the Eastman School of Music in 2010.

Among judges' comments: "Watching the conductor at rehearsal showed The Chelsea Symphony’s desire to get it right while in a respectful but ‘easy going’ manner."

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Congratulations!

The American Prize is honored to announce the winners and runners-up in the professional orchestra division of The American Prize in Orchestral Performance, 2014. Congratulations!

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

The American Prize in Orchestral Performance
—professional orchestra division

The American Prize winner:
ALLENTOWN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Diane Wittry, music director
Allentown, PA

ALLENTOWN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

The Allentown Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1951 to provide music to the Lehigh Valley. For 63 Seasons, the orchestra has brought inspiring music, outstanding guest artists, unique productions, and unforgettable performances to the region. From 1951 to 1983, founding conductor, Donald Voorhees (NBC’s Bell Telephone Hour) showcased legends such as Placido Domingo, Benny Goodman, Carol Channing, and Phyllis Diller. William Smith, the conductor from 1986 to 1990, simultaneously served as the assistant conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Diane Wittry was appointed Music Director in 1995 after a national search. Through her tenure, the orchestra has grown in quality level and in the number and types of concerts presented. The ASO currently performs 5 Classical concerts (Sat/Sun), 4 Pops concerts, Educational and Family concerts, Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker, and a chamber music series. Diane Wittry brings an original programming style, creating innovative concert experiences that excite audiences.

Among judges' comments: "…demonstrates a confidence and finesse in major repertory."

2nd Place:
ODYSSEUS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
Jason Lim, music director
Frisco, TX

ODYSSEUS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

Founded in 2012, Odysseus Chamber Orchestra consists of professional classical musicians from Denton, Frisco and surrounding areas. In its short history the Odysseus Chamber Orchestra has supported local service clubs, like the Denton Breakfast Kiwanis Club, the Robson Ranch Kiwanis Club, sponsoring events such as the Eliminate Project Cruise and the Passing of the Banner Dinner. Furthermore, OCO pioneered the Mentorship Program. The brainchild of Artistic Director, Jason Lim, this program provides high school orchestra students the opportunity to rehearse and perform side-by-side with members of OCO. Most recently, The Odysseus Chamber Orchestra was awarded third place in the American Prize Competition, distinguishing it as a premier emerging ensemble.

Among judges' comments: "…has much potential especially playing contemporary works…"

3rd Place:
MICHIGAN PHILHARMONIC
Nan Harrison Washburn, music director
Plymouth, MI

MICHIGAN PHILHARMONIC

The Michigan Philharmonic, one of the most innovative and dynamic professional orchestras in Southeast Michigan, was recently awarded the prestigious Knight Foundation Arts Challenge Grant and received 2nd Place honors from The American Prize, professional orchestra division. Nan Washburn, Music Director and Conductor since 1999, has won 18 ASCAP Awards for Adventuresome Programming of Contemporary Music from the League of American Orchestras. Michigan Phil is bringing its events into an ever-expanding roster of Michigan communities, including Plymouth, Canton, Birmingham-Bloomfield, the Grosse Pointes, Downtown Detroit, and many others. The organization is committed to reaching out to a broad and diverse array of audiences and providing enjoyable cultural and social experiences. Currently in its 68th Season, the orchestra plays a full season of concerts throughout the year including pops, outdoor, Bollywood and Fusion Festivals. The Philharmonic also has an extensive education program that includes the Michigan Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.

Among judges' comments: "…strong playing by the entire orchestra along the Appian Way."

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Congratulations!

Ziegfeld Girl Marilyn Miller

The American Prize is honored to announce the winners and runners-up of The American Prize in Musical Theater Performance, 2014. Congratulations!

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

The American Prize in Musical Theater Performance

The American Prize winner:
TOP BILLING ENTERTAINMENT PERFORMANCE ACADEMY
for "The Music Man"
Kristina Keener Ivy, director
Covina, CA

TOP BILLING ENTERTAINMENT PERFORMANCE ACADEMY

It had been a life-long dream of Kristina Keener Ivy's to start a performing arts group. After performing all over the country and heading a similar program at West Covina High School for five years, she decided to found her own 501(c)3 nonprofit where she could ensure that each performer is treated with respect, given professional instruction, and given the opportunity for a featured solo. For Top Billing Entertainment's first two shows ever, we received 12 National Youth Arts nominations and three wins. In the future we plan to expand to a year round, full service performance academy which offers private instruction, group classes, and public performances in acting, on camera acting, dance, voice, all instruments, and anything else that interests our students that relates to the performing arts.

Among judges' comments: "You can tell that extensive time has been spent on acting, singing, and dancing equally."

2nd Place:
DAVIDSON FINE ARTS MAGNET SCHOOL
for "The Music Man"
Heather Davidson, Betty Walpert, directors
Augusta, GA

DAVIDSON FINE ARTS MAGNET SCHOOL

Established in 1981, Davidson Fine Arts is a public magnet school in the Richmond County School System serving 791 students in Grades 6-12. The population is equally balanced between middle and high school and between minority and non-minority status. Students are admitted on selective criteria based upon prior school record, good character, and an audition in five fine arts.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS:
   •   US News & World Report- One of the top 100 Schools in the Country 2007-2013 .
   •   Ranked 43rd Best Public School in United States by bestschools.org for 2013.
   •   American Prize in Choral Performance – Davidson Chorale/2012.
   •   National Grammy Signature School for the music programs 2004 and 2005.
   •   Award winning Drama Department productions : One Act Play Competition(Regional and State), SETC, and the Georgia State Thespian Conference.

Our “Music Man” ensemble involved over 180 student participants including actors, crew, orchestra and marketing and played to over 2000 people in our community.

Among judges' comments: "Great dancing in 76 Trombones and Marian the Librarian and in act 2. Great sets throughout."

3rd Place:
YOUNG ARTISTS of AMERICA
for "Phantom of the Opera"
Rolando Sanz, director
Bethesda, MD

YOUNG ARTISTS of AMERICA

Young Artists of America was founded in 2011 to provide talented young instrumentalists and vocalists with exceptional opportunities to perform, train with, and be mentored by professional artists and educators in fully orchestrated performances, including large scale works of opera, musical theatre, oratorio and dance. Young Artists of America is the first known program of its kind in the nation to bring together high school aged instrumentalists and vocalists to specialize in, study and perform large scale vocal works, and specifically opera. The cornerstone of our organization is our Mentoring Program, in which students are not only coached by professional instrumentalists and singers, but also perform alongside them. Recent productions include fully orchestrated performances of The Phantom of the Opera, Madama Butterfly & Miss Saigon, and most recently Songs for a New World conducted by the Tony-award winning composer, Jason Robert Brown.

Among judges' comments: "Great balance between orchestra and singers."

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Congratulations!

The American Prize is honored to announce the winner and runners-up of The American Prize in Directing, 2014. Congratulations! 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 make us aware of any misprints: theamericanprize@gmail.com

The American Prize in Directing

The American Prize winner:
LINDA LISTER, director
for "Sancta Susanna" and "Suor Angelica"
UNLV Opera
Las Vegas, NV

LINDA LISTER

Linda Lister is Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Vassar College and the Eastman School of Music. She has directed UNLV Opera Theater’s productions of La Canterina, The Impresario, Carmen, The Fairy Queen, L’elisir d’amore, Suor Angelica, Sancta Susanna, and Ariadne auf Naxos. She has also directed productions of The Merry Widow, Hansel and Gretel, Cendrillon, The Medium, The Old Maid and the Thief, Dialogues of the Carmelites, Orpheus In the Underworld, Gianni Schicchi, Dido and Aeneas, Roman Fever, Orpheus and Eurydice, Bastien and Bastienna, and The Gondoliers. Also a composer, she has written several one-act operas, including How Clear She Shines! about the Brontë sisters. Dr. Lister serves on summer faculty of the Druid City Opera Workshop, and is the Opera Director at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. A certified CorePower Yoga instructor, Dr. Lister is author of Yoga for Singers: Freeing Your Voice and Spirit through Yoga (2011).

Among judges' comments: "…this is a riveting production that gets to the core of the opera…"

2nd Place:
KRISTINA KEENER IVY, director
for "The Music Man"
Top Billing Entertainment Performance Academy
Covina, CA

KRISTINA KEENER IVY

Kristina Keener Ivy, producer and director, is a former high school choir director turned professional performer and private music instructor. She has performed with various jazz bands, as a member of various church worship teams, on three film soundtracks, and in numerous musical theater productions throughout the Southwest. She has also worked as a musical director for over 20 local productions including Peter Pan, Beauty and the Beast, Seussical and High School Musical. Four years ago she founded Top Billing Entertainment Performance Academy and their first two productions were nominated for 12 National Youth Arts Awards and won three. She is looking forward to producing many more main stage productions and touring shows with Top Billing Entertainment.

Among judges' comments: "No time lags at any point. Excellent throughout."

3rd Place:
DANIEL ELLIS, director
for "Griffelkin"
Project Opera
Minneapolis, MN

DANIEL ELLIS

Stage Director Daniel Ellis continues to garner wide attention for developing new work with renowned artists while bringing innovative theater and opera to wider audiences. A graduate of The New School for Drama in New York City, Daniel has directed over 10 world premieres including the Off-Broadway production of Frank Gagliano's, Dancing with Joy. His co-directed production of Scarlet Woman received the 2011 Best of Fest Award at the Winnipeg Fringe and Edmonton International Fringe Festivals. Stay Tuned, featuring the vocal ensemble Five By Design, premiered with the Arkansas Symphony and has been performed with over 25 symphony orchestras. Daniel was named Artist in Residence for the Minnesota Opera 2012-2014 seasons collaborating with artists including Kevin Newbury on the world première of Doubt, Thaddaeus Strassberger, and Eric Simonson on a new production of The Dream of Valentino. Daniel is an associate member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.

Among judges' comments:"….a balanced piece…clear direction throughout."

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Congratulations!

The American Prize is honored to announce the winner and runners-up of The American Prize in Conducting—band/wind ensemble division. Congratulations! All finalists receive written evaluations from a member of The American Prize judging panel.

Complete listings of other winners, finalists and semi-finalists in The American Prize competitions may be found elsewhere on this blog.Use the archive navigation tool in the right-hand column.

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

The American Prize in Conducting
—band/wind ensemble division

The American Prize winner:
TEREN SHAFFER, music director
Frederick Fennell Wind Ensemble
Santa Ana, CA

TEREN SHAFFER

Praised as an “Outstanding Arts Educator” by the Orange County Department of Education, Teren Shaffer currently serves as Music Director & Conductor of the Frederick Fennell Wind Ensemble at the Orange County School of the Arts, Associate Conductor & General Manager of the Orange County Youth Symphony Orchestra, and Adjunct Professor of Conducting at the Chapman University Conservatory of Music. Mr. Shaffer also maintains an active professional career as a conductor, clinician, and adjudicator, and recently began a music production, artist management, and entertainment consulting firm, First & Grand Entertainment, LLC.

Among judges' comments: "incisive, committed leadership...technically and musically highly skilled."

2nd Place:
THANAPOL SETABRAHMANA, conductor
CCM Wind Orchestra/Chamber Players
Cincinnati, OH

THANAPOL SETABRAHMANA

Recently graduated from the doctoral conducting program at University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Thanapol Setabrahmana has been appointed the position of the Director of Bands at College of Music, Mahidol University in Thailand. He serves as the music director and conductor of its premiere ensemble, Mahidol Wind Symphony.

Setabrahmana holds a Master of Music degree in Wind Ensemble Conducting from the New England Conservatory and a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Composition from Mahidol University. His previous positions include the faculty member of CCM Preparatory Preparatory Department, Assistant Conductor of the Cincinnati Youth Wind Ensemble, Graduate Conducting Associate of CCM Winds Studies, and Assistant Conductor of Mahidol Symphony Orchestra.
Among judges' comments: "I like that he focuses on the long line. Quite accomplished."

3rd Place:
CHARLIE G. (TRAE) BLANCO, III conductor
Indiana U. Wind Ensemble Symphonic Band
Bloomington, IN

CHARLIE G. (TRAE) BLANCO, III

Trae Blanco holds a B.M.E. from New Mexico Sate University, is completing a MM in Wind Conducting, and serves as an Associate Instructor in the Department of Bands/Wind Conducting at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Mr. Blanco will be pursuing a DMA in conducting beginning fall 2014 at the Herberger Institute for Design and Arts at Arizona State University. Mr. Blanco was Director of Bands at Las Cruces High School in New Mexico from 2008-2012.

Under his direction the ensembles at Las Cruces High received superior ratings at New Mexico festivals. The Jazz Band One was selected in 2010 to be the New Mexico All State Honor Jazz Band and the Symphonic Winds were selected in 2011 to be the Honor Concert Band by the New Mexico Music Educators Association. Mr. Blanco was also the recipient of the 2010 NM Music Educators New and Emerging Teacher Award.

Among judges' comments: "engaged, energetic—band plays very well for him."

HONORABLE MENTION:
COREY SEAPY, conductor
Ithaca College Wind Ensemble
Ithaca, NY

COREY SEAPY

Corey Seapy is a graduate student at the Ithaca College School of Music, where he studies conducting with Stephen Peterson, Cynthia Johnston Turner, Jeffery Meyer, and Jonathan Pasternack. He works with a variety of groups including the Ithaca College Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Campus Band, and new music ensembles. Prior to arriving in Ithaca, he served as Director of Bands at Georgetown Middle/High School in Georgetown, MA. He also conducted the Northeast Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble and was the assistant conductor of the Gordon College Wind Ensemble. Corey holds a B.M. in Music Education from Gordon College in Wenham, MA.

Among judges' comments: "calm, sensitive, musical, good posture and expression, very natural."

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Congratulations!

The American Prize is honored to announce the winner and runners-up of The American Prize in Conducting—opera division. Congratulations! All finalists receive written evaluations from a member of The American Prize judging panel.

Complete listings of other winners, finalists and semi-finalists in The American Prize competitions may be found elsewhere on this blog.Use the archive navigation tool in the right-hand column.

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

The American Prize in Conducting
—opera division

The American Prize winner:
MARIA SENSI SELLNER, music director
Resonance Works / Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA

MARIA SENSI SELLNER

Maria Sensi Sellner is recognized for her versatility as a conductor of opera, orchestras, and choruses. Praised for leading with “flexible assurance” (The Cleveland Plain Dealer) and “authority” (Pittsburgh Tribune Review), Ms. Sellner’s performances have been described as “sterling” (The Boston Globe), “adept” (Schenectady Daily Gazette), and “nothing short of incredible” (Berkshire on Stage). Back to back winner of the American Prize in Opera Conducting, she is the founder and Artistic Director of Resonance Works | Pittsburgh, Director of the Akron Symphony Chorus, and Associate Conductor of the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh (chorus of choice of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra). She has conducted productions for Hubbard Hall Opera Theater, the Boston Opera Collaborative, Opera Theater of Pittsburgh, the Solon Center for the Arts, and the Carnegie Mellon University School of Music. She has guest conducted the Akron Symphony Orchestra, the Edgewood Symphony, and the Carnegie Mellon Philharmonic, and recently served on the faculty at Carnegie Mellon University as Interim Director of Choirs.

Among judges' comments: "mighty impressive...excellent work. Beat always mirrors the energy and feeling of what is to come."

2nd Place:
LIDIYA YANKOVSKAYA, music director
Lowell House Opera, Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

LIDIYA YANKOVSKAYA

Lidiya Yankovskaya serves as Artistic Director of Juventas New Music Ensemble (a fully-professional instrumental ensemble most recently in residency at The Boston Conservatory), and as Music Director of Harvard’s Lowell House Opera, Commonwealth Lyric Theater, and the Development Series for Center for Contemporary Opera in NYC. Recent productions include Britten’s Midsummer Night’s Dream and Rimsky-Korsakov’s Snegurochka with Lowell House Opera, Rachmaninoff’s Aleko with Commonwealth Lyric Theater (winner of National Opera Association Prize, Professional Category), and the world premiere of Line Tjorhoj’s Orations, with Center for Contemporary Opera. She has also served as Assistant Conductor with Gotham Chamber Opera and as Assistant Conductor/Chorus Master for Opera Boston. Upcoming projects include the world premiere of The Little Blue One with Juventas New Music Ensemble, Delibes’ Lakmé with Lowell House Opera, and Gianni Schicchi and Le Nozze di Figaro with Hubbard Hall Opera Theater. Additionally, she is thrilled to spend the summer as one of three fellows at the Castleton Festival, under the tutelage of Maestro Lorin Maazel. In addition to her work as a conductor, Lidiya is a pianist, singer and coach, most recently serving as pianist for Opera Boston’s Education Tours and as the Russian Diction Coach for Boston Symphony Orchestra/Tanglewood Festival Chorus. www.LidiyaYankovskaya.com

Among judges' comments: "...impressive production of a difficult score...beat is energetic, welcoming... judicious tempos, high level of knowledge of material..."

3rd Place:
KIRA OMELCHENKO, guest conductor
Bulgarian State Opera Company
Tampa, FL

KIRA OMELCHENKO

Dr. Kira Omelchenko is assistant professor of music and the director of the Orchestra and Strings Program at Florida Southern College. Prior to Florida Southern College, she served as the director of Orchestra and Strings Studies at the University of Tampa. She is the recent recipient of the ASTA String grant, as well as the UT Alumni, Dana, and the David Delo Research Professor Grants. A finalist for the American Prize in Conducting, Dr. Omelchenko specializes in orchestral conducting, operatic conducting, and violin performance and instruction. She has conducted at several All-County Orchestra Festivals, as well as worked with Middle School and High School students at Orchestra Summer Music Camps at the University of Tampa and the University of Iowa. She is in great demand as a guest conductor, lecturer, clinician, and adjudicator. Dr. Omelchenko has served as the music director of St. Ambrose University Community Symphony Orchestra in Davenport. She was also the assistant conductor to opera production at the University of Iowa, the University of New Mexico, as well as the International Opera Lyric Academy in Viterbo, Italy. Dr. Omelchenko has also been a conducting fellow with the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony and was the recipient of the 2012 Sigma Alpha Iota Conducting Scholarship.

International conducting fellowships include studies in Vienna, Rotterdam and Amsterdam conservatories in the Netherlands, and Bulgaria. As guest conductor, she has conducted at the Seasons Music Festival Orchestra in Yakima, Washington and with the Bulgarian State Opera in Burgas. A native of Kansas, Dr. Omelchenko holds a doctoral degree in music from the University of Iowa and degrees from the University of New Mexico and Knox College.

Among judges' comments: "good posture, clear beat, makes the big moments 'work.' Expects— and adjusts—to get what she wants."

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Congratulations!

The American Prize is honored to announce the winner and runners-up of The American Prize in Conducting—college/university orchestra division. Congratulations! All finalists receive written evaluations from a member of The American Prize judging panel.

Complete listings of other winners, finalists and semi-finalists in The American Prize competitions may be found elsewhere on this blog.Use the archive navigation tool in the right-hand column.

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

The American Prize in Conducting
—college/university orchestra division

The American Prize winner:
CHRIS YOUNGHOON KIM, music director
Cornell Orchestras
Ithaca, NY

CHRIS YOUNGHOON KIM

Passionate about working with young musicians and music education, Chris Younghooon Kim is the Director of Orchestras at Cornell University and is an active adjudicator, guest clinician, and masterclass teacher. The League of American Orchestras and ASCAP have awarded the first place award for Adventurous Programming of Contemporary Music to the Cornell Orchestras among all collegiate orchestras in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014. With the Cornell Orchestras he has led international tours and joint collaborations with the Royal Irish Academy of Music, and Conservatorio de Musica de Puerto Rico. Before coming to Cornell, Chris was active in the new music scene in Boston conducting the Firebird Ensemble and the Kalistos Chamber Orchestra. Since 1997 he has been the Artistic Director of the new music ensemble Brave New Works in Ann Arbor, Michigan, one of America’s most innovative and progressive ensembles. He has appeared with orchestras in the United States and abroad, including ensembles such as the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Delta Festival Ballet, Symphoria, based in Syracuse, NY, Divertimento Ensemble of Milan, Italy. He has also appeared in music festivals such as, Kinhaven Music Center, Skaneateles Music Festival, International Bartok Festival in Szaombarthely, Hungary, among others. He is an active promoter of music of our time, and has collaborated with dozens of composers, and commissioned and premiered numerous new works. He was recently chosen to be one of three young conductors to appear at the Ensemble Moderne Academy in Innsbruck, Austria being mentored by members of Ensemble Moderne at the 2012 Klangspuren new music festival. He has also been chosen as the first wave of conductors to take part in the College Orchestra Directors Association’s Ibermusicas initiative in 2014, and will guest conduct Orquesta Sinfónica del Neuquén, Patagonia, Argentina.

Among judges' comments: "just about the ideal tempo, spirit and energy. (Tchaikovsky 4th)"

2nd Place:
JASON HONG, conductor
University of Texas Symphony Orchestra
Austin, TX

JASON HONG

Born in Los Angeles (4/27/1989) to parents who escaped North Việt Nam on a fishing boat, Jason Hong works as Assistant Conductor for Peter Bay and the Austin Symphony Orchestra, and Music Director/Conductor for the University of Texas University Orchestra. Recipient of the Bruno Walter Foundation Scholarship, Jason has lead members of the Chicago, Atlanta, Baltimore, Oregon, Sarasota, Indianapolis, Arkansas, Jacksonville, Eugene, Grand Rapids, Colorado, and Phoenix Symphonies, Hong Kong Philharmonic, and Chicago Lyric Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, Florida, and Minnesota Orchestras in performance. He has collaborated with Gloria Cheng, Gil Shaham, Leon Fleisher, David Kim, and Cho-Liang Lin. Graduating UCLA cum laude, he was the youngest full participant in workshops with Marin Alsop, James Ross, David Effron, David Loebel, and Neal Stulberg. He is on full scholarship as one of two students of Gerhardt Zimmermann at the University of Texas, Austin - Butler School of Music. www.ConductorJasonHong.com

Among judges' comments: "Music is felt. Dramatic...obviously knows the score well. "

3rd Place (there was a tie):
JOEL NEVES, music director
Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra
Houghton, MI

JOEL NEVES

Joel Neves is Music Director of the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra at Michigan Technological University. He has elevated the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra through captivating performances that entertain and inspire. Joel energetically champions community collaboration, creating the KSO Chamber Music Series, the Keweenaw Honors String Festival for K-12 string musicians, and commissioning new works by Upper Pensinsula composers. Joel’s recent professional conducting engagements include the Pine Mountain Music Festival’s “Finnharmonic Orchestra” and the Kentucky Music Educators Association All-Collegiate Orchestra. He makes his professional South American conducting debut in 2015 leading the Orquesta Sinfónica de Entre Ríos in Argentina. Neves was assistant conductor of the Orchestra of Southern Utah for three years. He has also conducted the Orquestra de Cadaqués (Barcelona), Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra, and Bard Festival Orchestra. Joel received his master’s degree from Brigham Young University and his doctor of musical arts in orchestral & opera conducting from Arizona State University.

Among judges' comments: "Debussy displays good style, is nicely balanced. Very fine knowledge of score."

3rd Place (there was a tie):
TIFFANY CHANG, music director
New England Repertory Orchestra
Boston, MA

TIFFANY CHANG

Dr. Tiffany Chang holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Orchestral Conducting from Boston University. She previously received several degrees in music education, cello performance, composition, and music theory from Oberlin Conservatory. Dr. Chang is currently the founder and conductor of the New England Repertory Orchestra, Music Director for the North End Music and Performing Arts Center's Opera Project, and staff conductor for the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras. She additionally holds the position of Assistant Professor at the Berklee College of Music and serves as the Assistant to the Director of Orchestral Activities at Boston University. During her time at Boston University, she has also served as Assistant Conductor for the Tanglewood Institute’s Young Artists Orchestra and the Opera Institute. Dr. Chang studied conducting with David Hoose and Bridget-Michaele Reischl. Her notable awards include the Kahn Career Entry Award, Pi Kappa Lambda Prize for Musicianship, and Theodore Presser Scholarship.

Among judges' comments: ",,,very musical, feeling, clear...Elgar is lovingly presented."

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Congratulations!

The American Prize is honored to announce the winner and runners-up of The American Prize in Conducting—professional orchestra division. Congratulations! All finalists receive written evaluations from a member of The American Prize judging panel.

Complete listings of other winners, finalists and semi-finalists in The American Prize competitions may be found elsewhere on this blog.Use the archive navigation tool in the right-hand column.

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

The American Prize in Conducting
—professional orchestra division

The American Prize winner:
JONATHAN GRIFFITH, founder, music director
Distinguished Concerts Orchestra
New York, NY
JONATHAN GRIFFITH
An acclaimed conductor, educator and lecturer, Jonathan Griffith has led performances across North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. Griffith is co- founder and artistic director of Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY), which has brought together, under Griffith’s artistic leadership, thousands of musicians and choral singers in concert at prestigious venues across the United States, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Disney Hall. The founder and music director of the Distinguished Concerts Orchestra, Griffith also oversees DCINY’s mentoring program for conductors. Maestro Griffith’s additional conducting credits include the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in Salt Lake City; Manhattan Philharmonic, and New England Symphonic Ensemble, both at Carnegie Hall; The European Symphony Orchestra in Spain; Bohuslava Martin Philharmonia and Philharmonia Chorus, Virtuosi Pregensis Chamber Orchestra, Karlovy Vary Symphony Orchestra, and Dvořák Chamber Orchestra, in the Czech Republic; and the Białystok State Philharmonic in Poland, as well as numerous regional orchestras and choruses across the United States.

Among judges' comments: "energetic, committed, and eminently practical."

2nd Place:
JASON LIM, music director
Odysseus Chamber Orchestra
McKinney & Frisco, TX

JASON LIM

Third Prize winner of the 2013 American Prize Conducting Competition and Recipient of the 2011 American Prize "Young Conductor Citation Award,” Jason Lim was born in Penang, Malaysia received his formal training in viola performance at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. Jason Lim served as assistant conductor with the Ku Ring Gai Philharmonic Orchestra in Sydney, Australia. Jason added to his awards and achievements, winning the 1995 New South Wales Ministry of Arts Conducting Prize in Sydney, Australia and named Denton's most Fascinating people of 2012 by the Denton Record Chronicle. During his tenure as Music Director of the NOVA Ensemble, Jason led the NOVA Ensemble in its first commercial recording in 2000. Under the auspices of the “Equilibrum” label, conducting the world premier performance of Brian Bavelander’s Distant Visions for orchestra and pre-recorded tape. Jason is currently the Artistic Director of the Odysseus Chamber Orchestra. In 2013 Jason appeared as guest conductor with the Academic State Concert Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine and in 2014 with the Zabrze Philharmonic Orchestra in Poland.

Among judges' comments: "Always in the music, calm and clear, achieving tight ensemble and spirited performances in unusual repertoire."

3rd Place:
REONA ITO, founder, music director
The Reona Ito Chamber Orchestra and Chorus
New York, NY

REONA ITO

Mr. Reona Ito was born into a musical family of three generations of conductors in Fukuoka, Japan. He is currently serving as music director for Zagreb Sinfonietta (Croatia) and the Reona Ito Chamber Orchestra & Chorus (New York City). Also he was music director of Japanese American Association of NY Chorus (2007-14), where he tried to be a cultural bridge between US and Japan through music. Mr. Ito holds a Bachelor of Arts in international affairs and also in music at the George Washington University. After composition and conducting study at The Juilliard School, he received a diploma in orchestral conducting from Mannes College of Music and a Master of Arts in orchestral conducting from the Aaron Copland School of Music, Queens College. He has conducted his orchestra at famous venues including Carnegie Hall (twice), Lincoln Center, and the Euphrasian Basilica, one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Croatia.

Among judges' comments:"A conductor of passion and skill...with hopes for his future musical endeavors."

HONORABLE MENTION:
PAUL MAUFFRAY, conductor
Hradec Kralove Philharmonic
Czech Republic

PAUL MAUFFRAY

Conductor Paul Mauffray began his music studies at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts and Louisiana State University. He was awarded 2nd Prize in the 2007 Bartok Conducting Competition and has 20 years of professional conducting experience with European orchestras and operas in Prague, Brno, Bratislava, Lyon, Salzburg, and Vienna. After studying musicology in Germany and in the Czech Republic, he earned his master's degree in orchestral conducting at Indiana University where he was engaged as Associate Instructor. Recently he conducted at the Bucharest National Opera, Slovak National Opera, Mariinsky Theater in Saint Petersburg, and appeared frequently as conductor with violin-soloist Tomas Vinklat from the Vienna Philharmonic. Paul Mauffray has also been a frequent guest conductor with the Hradec Kralove Philharmonic, Janacek Philharmonic, Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonic Zlin, and with the Schoenbrunn Palace Orchestra in Vienna. He is currently reconstructing and performing the 1894 opera "Tabasco" by George W. Chadwick.

Among judges' comments:"Good knowledge of scores...intensity in abundance..."

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Congratulations!

Late this summer, Maestro David Katz, chief judge of The American Prize, expressed a hope for the competitions "to do more" to advance the art, in part by bringing additional recognition to its competition laureates, past, present and future.

Here is the first of several new initiatives to do just that. More will be announced in the coming weeks.

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"HONORED ARTISTS
of The American Prize"

Annually, beginning next month, The American Prize will bestow on a number of its laureates the designation "HONORED ARTIST of The American Prize." Honored Artists are individuals who have proved themselves to be of "sustained excellence" over a number of seasons as contestants in the competitions.

The Honored Artist designation, created to recognize individuals who may not have won first place but have consistently scored very highly in The American Prize competitions, is another way TAP seeks to bring attention to laureates deemed especially worthy.

Individuals selected for the honor will be highlighted in a separate section on The American Prize website and on Facebook, will receive expanded listings on The American Prize blog, will be featured in individualized press releases sent to local, regional and national media, and receive a special, framed certificate. Although Honored Artist status carries with it no monetary award as yet, applicants we receive a application fee waiver for a future competition.

Honored Artists must meet these criteria:

May be nominated by any member of The American Prize national judging panel.
Will have reached finalist status or higher and/or received an Honorable Mention or Special Judge's Certificate in at least three different competition years, which need not be consecutive.
Will have won The American Prize (first place) no more than one time.
Will have consistently received exceptional evaluations in their chosen area of endeavor.
Will be honored during a season in which they are an active participant.
Accept the designation.
There is no minimum or maximum number that will be awarded each season.
There is no separate application.

2014 designees will be contacted during the week of November 10th and announced as a group on November 17th.

"Honored Artists of The American Prize" are given in memory of David's father, Abraham R. Katz, a gifted amateur musician, who died in 1999.

Five American composers have been chosen as the first Honored Artists of The American Prize, the national nonprofit competitions in the performing arts. Honored Artists are individuals who have proven themselves to be musicians of “sustained excellence" over a number of seasons as contestants in the competitions.

The American Prize competitions are unique in scope and structure, designed to recognize and reward the best performing artists, ensembles and composers in the United States, based on submitted recordings. The American Prize is presented annually in many areas of the performing arts and has awarded nearly $35,000 in prize money since its founding in 2009.

Additional information about the competitions may be found on the website: www.theamericanprize.org.

Earlier this fall, Maestro David Katz, chief judge of The American Prize, expressed a hope for the competitions "to do more" to advance the art. The creation of the Honored Artist designation is one way the competition seeks to bring additional recognition to laureates it deems especially worthy.

The five composers selected as Honored Artists of The American Prize for 2014 are:

Lee Actor, Monte Sereno CA

Lee Actor

Second Place—Music for Orchestra, 2011
Finalist, 2012
Finalist, 2013
Finalist, 2014

David Avshalomov, Santa Monica CA

David Avshalomov

Special Judges' Citation—Orchestral Music, 2012
Finalist, 2013
Third Place—Music for Band, 2014

Jesse Ayers, Canton OH

Jesse Ayers

Winner—Orchestral Music, 2011
Finalist, 2013
Finalist, 2014

Nancy Bloomer Deussen, Mountain View CA

Nancy Bloomer Deussen

Finalist, 2012
Second Place—Chamber Music, 2013
Finalist, 2014

David Sartor, Hermitage TN

David Sartor

Third Place—Music for Chorus, 2012
Third Place—Chamber Music, 2013
Finalist, 2014

***

“The American Prize has auditioned many works by these five composers over several seasons,” Katz said, “Each of the five exhibits a unique voice, a substantial catalog, multiple performances and serious intent. Each deserves every opportunity to be heard. We are delighted to bring added attention to their considerable gifts.”

Honored Artists will be highlighted in a separate section on The American Prize website and on the competition’s Facebook pages, will receive expanded listings on The American Prize blog, will be featured in individualized press releases sent to local, regional and national media, and receive a special, framed certificate. Honored Artists also receive an application fee waiver for a future competition.

CRITERIA: The American Prize Honored Artists must meet these criteria:

May be nominated by any member of The American Prize national judging panel.
Will have reached finalist status or higher and/or received an Honorable Mention or Special Judge's Certificate in at least three different competition years, which need not be consecutive.
Will have won The American Prize (first place) no more than one time.
Will have consistently received exceptional evaluations in their chosen area of endeavor.
Will be honored during a season in which they are an active participant.
Accept the designation.
There is no minimum or maximum number that will be awarded each season.

Abraham R. Katz

"Honored Artists of The American Prize" are given in memory of David Katz’s father, Abraham R. Katz, a gifted amateur musician, who died in 1999.

David Sartor of Hermitage, TN, is one of five American composers chosen as the first Honored Artists of The American Prize, the national nonprofit competitions in the performing arts. Honored Artists are individuals who have proven themselves to be musicians of “sustained excellence" over a number of seasons as contestants in the competitions.

The American Prize competitions are unique in scope and structure, designed to recognize and reward the best performing artists, ensembles and composers in the United States, based on submitted recordings. The American Prize is presented annually in many areas of the performing arts and has awarded nearly $35,000 in prize money since its founding in 2009.

Additional information about the competitions may be found on the website: www.theamericanprize.org.

Earlier this fall, Maestro David Katz, chief judge of The American Prize, expressed a hope for the competitions "to do more" to advance the art. The creation of the Honored Artist designation is one way the competition seeks to bring additional recognition to laureates it deems especially worthy.

The five composers selected as Honored Artists of The American Prize for 2014 are:

Lee Actor, Monte Sereno CA
Second Place—Music for Orchestra, 2011
Finalist, 2012
Finalist, 2013
Finalist, 2014

David Avshalomov, Santa Monica CA
Special Judges' Citation—Orchestral Music, 2012
Finalist, 2013
Third Place—Music for Band, 2014

Jesse Ayers, Canton OH
Winner—Orchestral Music, 2011
Finalist, 2013
Finalist, 2014

Nancy Bloomer Deussen, Mountain View CA
Finalist, 2012
Second Place—Chamber Music, 2013
Finalist, 2014

David Sartor, Hermitage TN
Third Place—Music for Chorus, 2012
Third Place—Chamber Music, 2013
Finalist, 2014

“The American Prize has auditioned many works by these five composers over several seasons,” Katz said, “Each of the five exhibits a unique voice, a substantial catalog, multiple performances and serious intent. Each deserves every opportunity to be heard. We are delighted to bring added attention to their considerable gifts.”

David P. Sartor is Adjunct Professor of Composition at Trevecca Nazarene University and Music Director of the Parthenon Chamber Orchestra. He received his education at the Blair School of Music, the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory, and the University of Tennessee, studying composition with John Anthony Lennon and David Van Vactor and conducting with Donald Neuen, Karen Lynne Deal, and in master classes with Kenneth Schermerhorn and .John Morris Russell. The recipient of commissions from a variety of ensembles, his instrumental and vocal works are performed nationally and internationally and have been featured at the Tanglewood, Aspen and Sewanee Music Festivals, the International Double Bass Festival, the Percussive Arts Society International Convention, the International Music Festival in San Jose Costa Rica, The World's Largest Organ Concert, and at Carnegie Hall, with broadcast performances on National Public Radio and local affiliates.

Sartor has received the prestigious Ostwald Award from the American Bandmasters Association, the National Fine Arts Award, and more than three dozen awards from New Music for Young Ensembles, Meet The Composer, Delta Omicron and ASCAP, among others. A popular guest composer, conductor and lecturer, his engagements include the Washington National Cathedral, Illinois State University, Middle Tennessee State University, the Nexus Chamber Orchestra and California State University, sponsored by New York City’s Meet The Composer Foundation.

In 2009, Sartor was inducted as a National Patron of Delta Omicron International Music Fraternity in recognition of his accomplishments as a composer and conductor. His works are recorded on the ERM label and are published by E.C. Schirmer, Shawnee Press, and Metamorphic Music. A graduate of film scoring workshops with Steven Scott Smalley, Richard Glasser & Aaron Zigman, he has also scored a number of widely-distributed video documentaries and features.

Sartor resides in Middle Tennessee with his wife, the author Nancy Sartor.

Honored Artists will be highlighted in a separate section on The American Prize website and on the competition’s Facebook pages, will receive expanded listings on The American Prize blog, will be featured in individualized press releases sent to local, regional and national media, and receive a special, framed certificate. Honored Artists also receive an application fee waiver for a future competition.

CRITERIA:
The American Prize Honored Artists must meet these criteria:

May be nominated by any member of The American Prize national judging panel.

Will have reached finalist status or higher and/or received an Honorable Mention or Special Judge's Certificate in at least three different competition years, which need not be consecutive.

Will have won The American Prize (first place) no more than one time.

Will have consistently received exceptional evaluations in their chosen area of endeavor.

Will be honored during a season in which they are an active participant.

Accept the designation.

There is no minimum or maximum number that will be awarded each season.

"Honored Artists of The American Prize"are given in memory of David Katz’s father, Abraham R. Katz, a gifted amateur musician, who died in 1999.

Nancy Bloomer Deussen, of Mountain View, CA, is one of five American composers chosen as the first Honored Artists of The American Prize, the national nonprofit competitions in the performing arts. Honored Artists are individuals who have proven themselves to be musicians of “sustained excellence" over a number of seasons as contestants in the competitions.

The American Prize competitions are unique in scope and structure, designed to recognize and reward the best performing artists, ensembles and composers in the United States, based on submitted recordings. The American Prize is presented annually in many areas of the performing arts and has awarded nearly $35,000 in prize money since its founding in 2009.

Additional information about the competitions may be found on the website: www.theamericanprize.org.

Earlier this fall, Maestro David Katz, chief judge of The American Prize, expressed a hope for the competitions "to do more" to advance the art. The creation of the Honored Artist designation is one way the competition seeks to bring additional recognition to laureates it deems especially worthy.

The five composers selected as Honored Artists of The American Prize for 2014 are:

Lee Actor, Monte Sereno CA
Second Place—Music for Orchestra, 2011
Finalist, 2012
Finalist, 2013
Finalist, 2014

David Avshalomov, Santa Monica CA
Special Judges' Citation—Orchestral Music, 2012
Finalist, 2013
Third Place—Music for Band, 2014

Jesse Ayers, Canton OH
Winner—Orchestral Music, 2011
Finalist, 2013
Finalist, 2014

Nancy Bloomer Deussen, Mountain View CA
Finalist, 2012
Second Place—Chamber Music, 2013
Finalist, 2014

David Sartor, Hermitage TN
Third Place—Music for Chorus, 2012
Third Place—Chamber Music, 2013
Finalist, 2014

“The American Prize has auditioned many works by these five composers over several seasons,” Katz said, “Each of the five exhibits a unique voice, a substantial catalog, multiple performances and serious intent. Each deserves every opportunity to be heard. We are delighted to bring added attention to their considerable gifts.”

Nancy Bloomer Deussen is a leader in the movement for more melodic, tonally oriented contemporary music and is co-founder of the San Francisco chapter of the National Association of Composers, USA. Her original works have been performed in the USA, Canada, Europe, UK, China, Australia, Iran and Indonesia and she has received many grants and commissions both locally and nationally from numerous performers, ensembles and foundations. She earned a BM and MM degree from Manhattan School of Music and another BM in Music Education from the USC School of Music. Her teachers of composition were: Vittorio Giannini, Ingolf Dahl, Lukas Foss and Wilson Coker.

The concert season (2012-13) brought orchestra performances of her works: “Central Coast Concerto” by The New Millenium Chamber Orchestra, “Peninsula Suite” by the Twilite Orchestra of Jakarta, Indonesia , Orchestra da Camera of San Anselmo, CA and New Score Chamber Orchestra of Oviedo, FL., The World Premiere of “The Transit of Venus” by The Mission Chamber Orchestra of San Jose, “American Hymn” by the Knox-Galesburg Symphony of Galesburg, IL, “A Field in Pennsylvania” by the Dayton Philharmonic and numerous other performances of chamber works, choral works and solo works. In addition she was second place winner of The American Prize 2013 in Composition for Chamber Works for her Woodwind Quintet. For more information see www.nancybloomerdeussen.com

Honored Artists will be highlighted in a separate section on The American Prize website and on the competition’s Facebook pages, will receive expanded listings on The American Prize blog, will be featured in individualized press releases sent to local, regional and national media, and receive a special, framed certificate. Honored Artists also receive an application fee waiver for a future competition.

CRITERIA:
The American Prize Honored Artists must meet these criteria:

May be nominated by any member of The American Prize national judging panel.

Will have reached finalist status or higher and/or received an Honorable Mention or Special Judge's Certificate in at least three different competition years, which need not be consecutive.

Will have won The American Prize (first place) no more than one time.

Will have consistently received exceptional evaluations in their chosen area of endeavor.

Will be honored during a season in which they are an active participant.

Accept the designation.

There is no minimum or maximum number that will be awarded each season.

"Honored Artists of The American Prize"are given in memory of David Katz’s father, Abraham R. Katz, a gifted amateur musician, who died in 1999.

Jesse Ayers, of Canton, OH, is one of five American composers chosen as the first Honored Artists of The American Prize, the national nonprofit competitions in the performing arts. Honored Artists are individuals who have proven themselves to be musicians of “sustained excellence" over a number of seasons as contestants in the competitions.

The American Prize competitions are unique in scope and structure, designed to recognize and reward the best performing artists, ensembles and composers in the United States, based on submitted recordings. The American Prize is presented annually in many areas of the performing arts and has awarded nearly $35,000 in prize money since its founding in 2009.

Additional information about the competitions may be found on the website: www.theamericanprize.org.

Earlier this fall, Maestro David Katz, chief judge of The American Prize, expressed a hope for the competitions "to do more" to advance the art. The creation of the Honored Artist designation is one way the competition seeks to bring additional recognition to laureates it deems especially worthy.

The five composers selected as Honored Artists of The American Prize for 2014 are:

Lee Actor, Monte Sereno CA
Second Place—Music for Orchestra, 2011
Finalist, 2012
Finalist, 2013
Finalist, 2014

David Avshalomov, Santa Monica CA
Special Judges' Citation—Orchestral Music, 2012
Finalist, 2013
Third Place—Music for Band, 2014

Jesse Ayers, Canton OH
Winner—Orchestral Music, 2011
Finalist, 2013
Finalist, 2014

Nancy Bloomer Deussen, Mountain View CA
Finalist, 2012
Second Place—Chamber Music, 2013
Finalist, 2014

David Sartor, Hermitage TN
Third Place—Music for Chorus, 2012
Third Place—Chamber Music, 2013
Finalist, 2014

“The American Prize has auditioned many works by these five composers over several seasons,” Katz said, “Each of the five exhibits a unique voice, a substantial catalog, multiple performances and serious intent. Each deserves every opportunity to be heard. We are delighted to bring added attention to their considerable gifts.”

JESSE AYERS is a 2014 recipient of an Ohio Arts Council Individual Artist Excellence Award, the winner of the 2013 Boston Metro Opera Concert Award, the winner of the 2011 American Prize for Orchestral Composition, a co-winner of the 2011 Dayton Ballet “New Music for New Dance,” and a 2010 recipient of a MacDowell Fellowship. Recent commissions include those from the Indiana Bandmasters Association, the Ohio Private College Instrumental Conductors Association, and the Wisconsin Lutheran National Honors Band. His music has been performed in more than 100 U.S. cities and eight foreign countries. Much of his music is scored for large "surround-sound" forces and explores the intersection of the spiritual and natural worlds and the redemptive intervention of a very real God in the affairs of the human race. Since 1997, Ayers has taught at Malone University, and has been awarded the university’s Distinguished Faculty Award.

May be nominated by any member of The American Prize national judging panel.

Will have reached finalist status or higher and/or received an Honorable Mention or Special Judge's Certificate in at least three different competition years, which need not be consecutive.

Will have won The American Prize (first place) no more than one time.

Will have consistently received exceptional evaluations in their chosen area of endeavor.

Will be honored during a season in which they are an active participant.

Accept the designation.

There is no minimum or maximum number that will be awarded each season.

"Honored Artists of The American Prize"are given in memory of David Katz’s father, Abraham R. Katz, a gifted amateur musician, who died in 1999.

David Avshalomov, of Santa Monica, CA, is one of five American composers chosen as the first Honored Artists of The American Prize, the national nonprofit competitions in the performing arts. Honored Artists are individuals who have proven themselves to be musicians of “sustained excellence" over a number of seasons as contestants in the competitions.

The American Prize competitions are unique in scope and structure, designed to recognize and reward the best performing artists, ensembles and composers in the United States, based on submitted recordings. The American Prize is presented annually in many areas of the performing arts and has awarded nearly $35,000 in prize money since its founding in 2009.

Additional information about the competitions may be found on the website: www.theamericanprize.org.

Earlier this fall, Maestro David Katz, chief judge of The American Prize, expressed a hope for the competitions "to do more" to advance the art. The creation of the Honored Artist designation is one way the competition seeks to bring additional recognition to laureates it deems especially worthy.

The five composers selected as Honored Artists of The American Prize for 2014 are:

Lee Actor, Monte Sereno CA
Second Place—Music for Orchestra, 2011
Finalist, 2012
Finalist, 2013
Finalist, 2014

David Avshalomov, Santa Monica CA
Special Judges' Citation—Orchestral Music, 2012
Finalist, 2013
Third Place—Music for Band, 2014

Jesse Ayers, Canton OH
Winner—Orchestral Music, 2011
Finalist, 2013
Finalist, 2014

Nancy Bloomer Deussen, Mountain View CA
Finalist, 2012
Second Place—Chamber Music, 2013
Finalist, 2014

David Sartor, Hermitage TN
Third Place—Music for Chorus, 2012
Third Place—Chamber Music, 2013
Finalist, 2014

“The American Prize has auditioned many works by these five composers over several seasons,” Katz said, “Each of the five exhibits a unique voice, a substantial catalog, multiple performances and serious intent. Each deserves every opportunity to be heard. We are delighted to bring added attention to their considerable gifts.”

David Avshalomov is a distinguished third-generation classical composer and orchestral conductor, and an accomplished vocalist. He was born in New York City in 1946, grew up in Oregon, and has long lived in Santa Monica, California. He represents a musical lineage whose story stretches from the Caucasus to Siberia, through China, to the US.

As a composer grounded in the traditions of Western classical music, David Avshalomov creates his works in an accessible modern romantic, neo-tonal style that balances a rich lyric gift with a characteristic rhythmic vitality and pungent harmonies. The forms he crafts are conservative and developmental, his compositional voice distinctive. The influences on his style include the great 20th-century European and American tonal composers, and both his late father Jacob and his paternal grandfather, Aaron Avshalomoff. In Avshalomov’s words, “Melody is the thread of my daily life. I still find new paths through traditional musical forms, and fresh expression based in folk idioms and drawing on old melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic roots. As a longtime outdoorsman, mountain man, and lover of nature and wilderness I am more and more impelled to write music that is about healing the Earth and social justice.”

He has composed original works for solo voice, choruses, orchestra, band, chamber ensembles, and solo instruments, in forms ranging from songs and incidental pieces to full-length oratorio. Recently he has written a lot of choral and band music; he is now focusing on his opera, “The Pearl”. He has had commissions from numerous ensembles, including the San Jose Chamber Orchestra, Mission Chamber Orchestra, Musica Bella Orchestra of NY, Western Plains Wind Consortium (20 bands), Avshalomov Bandwagon Consortium (26 bands), LA Flute Orchestra, LA Clarinet Orchestra, Odyssea Chorus of Lisbon, Anglican Chorale of Southern California, Camerata Singers of Long Beach, and Westwood United Methodist Church (LA). He has also been Resident Composer with the Anglican Chorale of S. California, Torrance Civic Chorale, and Cantori Domino of Santa Monica.

His compositions have been performed professionally across the U.S. and in Europe and Russia, and are recorded on the Albany and Naxos labels. He has earned grants from Meet the Composer, the American Music Center, the American Composer’s Forum, and the Durfee Foundation. His works have won prizes from the Aspen Festival, the Korg Competition, the Santa Monica Debut Concert series, American Prize 2014 for Band Composition (3rd Place), a Special Citation from the American Prize for Orchestral Composition 2012; Dual Finalist, American Prize 2013/Choral and Orchestral Composition, Polifonia (Lithuania) International Sacred Choral Music Competition 2013 (Second Prize) , an ACDA Silver Platter Award 2012 for Outstanding Choral Repertoire; Choral Work of Exceptional Merit 2013, PROJECT : ENCORE of Schola Cantorum on Hudson; TheC7Prize, Canada 2014 (2 choral works), Sul Ross State University, TX, Wind Ensemble Composition Contest 2013, Hillcrest Wind Ensemble (San Diego) Composition Contest 2013 (Second Prize), and three Vox Nova–Fifteen Minutes of Fame awards 2014.

Honored Artists will be highlighted in a separate section on The American Prize website and on the competition’s Facebook pages, will receive expanded listings on The American Prize blog, will be featured in individualized press releases sent to local, regional and national media, and receive a special, framed certificate. Honored Artists also receive an application fee waiver for a future competition.

CRITERIA:
The American Prize Honored Artists must meet these criteria:

May be nominated by any member of The American Prize national judging panel.

Will have reached finalist status or higher and/or received an Honorable Mention or Special Judge's Certificate in at least three different competition years, which need not be consecutive.

Will have won The American Prize (first place) no more than one time.

Will have consistently received exceptional evaluations in their chosen area of endeavor.

Will be honored during a season in which they are an active participant.

Accept the designation.

There is no minimum or maximum number that will be awarded each season.

"Honored Artists of The American Prize"are given in memory of David Katz’s father, Abraham R. Katz, a gifted amateur musician, who died in 1999.

Lee Actor, of Monte Sereno, CA, is one of five American composers chosen as the first Honored Artists of The American Prize, the national nonprofit competitions in the performing arts. Honored Artists are individuals who have proven themselves to be musicians of “sustained excellence" over a number of seasons as contestants in the competitions.

The American Prize competitions are unique in scope and structure, designed to recognize and reward the best performing artists, ensembles and composers in the United States, based on submitted recordings. The American Prize is presented annually in many areas of the performing arts and has awarded nearly $35,000 in prize money since its founding in 2009.

Additional information about the competitions may be found on the website: www.theamericanprize.org.

Earlier this fall, Maestro David Katz, chief judge of The American Prize, expressed a hope for the competitions "to do more" to advance the art. The creation of the Honored Artist designation is one way the competition seeks to bring additional recognition to laureates it deems especially worthy.

The five composers selected as Honored Artists of The American Prize for 2014 are:

Lee Actor, Monte Sereno CA
Second Place—Music for Orchestra, 2011
Finalist, 2012
Finalist, 2013
Finalist, 2014

David Avshalomov, Santa Monica CA
Special Judges' Citation—Orchestral Music, 2012
Finalist, 2013
Third Place—Music for Band, 2014

Jesse Ayers, Canton OH
Winner—Orchestral Music, 2011
Finalist, 2013
Finalist, 2014

Nancy Bloomer Deussen, Mountain View CA
Finalist, 2012
Second Place—Chamber Music, 2013
Finalist, 2014

David Sartor, Hermitage TN
Third Place—Music for Chorus, 2012
Third Place—Chamber Music, 2013
Finalist, 2014

“The American Prize has auditioned many works by these five composers over several seasons,” Katz said, “Each of the five exhibits a unique voice, a substantial catalog, multiple performances and serious intent. Each deserves every opportunity to be heard. We are delighted to bring added attention to their considerable gifts.”

Composer and conductor Lee Actor (http://www.leeactor.com) has received numerous commissions, and has won many awards for his compositions, which are characterized by their dramatic impact and emotional expressivity. In the past 10+ years, he has created an extensive catalog of works for large ensembles, which have been performed by more than 60 orchestras and bands in the U.S. and around the world. He has studied composition with Donald Sur, Brent Heisinger, Charles Jones, and Andrew Imbrie, and conducting with Angelo Frascarelli, David Epstein and Higo Harada. Actor has been Composer-in-Residence of the Palo Alto Philharmonic since 2002, following his appointment as Assistant Conductor in 2001.

May be nominated by any member of The American Prize national judging panel.

Will have reached finalist status or higher and/or received an Honorable Mention or Special Judge's Certificate in at least three different competition years, which need not be consecutive.

Will have won The American Prize (first place) no more than one time.

Will have consistently received exceptional evaluations in their chosen area of endeavor.

Will be honored during a season in which they are an active participant.

Accept the designation.

There is no minimum or maximum number that will be awarded each season.

"Honored Artists of The American Prize"are given in memory of David Katz’s father, Abraham R. Katz, a gifted amateur musician, who died in 1999.

Community Division: The VYTAUTAS MARIJOSIUS MEMORIAL AWARD in ORCHESTRAL PROGRAMMING, 2014

CONDUCTOR WINNER, RUNNERS-UP: community chorus/youth chorus

CONDUCTOR WINNER, RUNNERS-UP: college/universiy chorus

CONDUCTOR WINNERS, RUNNERS-UP: youth/high school orchestra

COMMUNITY ORCHESTRA WINNER, RUNNERS-UP

CONDUCTOR WINNER, RUNNERS-UP: community orchestra

PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRA WINNER, RUNNERS-UP

MUSICAL THEATER WINNERS, RUNNERS-UP

STAGE DIRECTOR WINNER, RUNNERS-UP

CONDUCTOR WINNER, RUNNERS-UP: band division

CONDUCTOR WINNER, RUNNERS-UP: opera division

CONDUCTOR WINNERS, RUNNERS-UP: college/university orchestra

CONDUCTOR WINNERS, RUNNERS-UP: professional orchestra

THE AMERICAN PRIZE to designate "HONORED ARTISTS"

The American Prize announces FIVE "HONORED ARTIST" COMPOSERS

Composer DAVID SARTOR named HONORED ARTIST of The American Prize

Composer NANCY BLOOMER DEUSSEN named HONORED ARTIST of The American Prize

Composer JESSE AYERS named HONORED ARTIST of The American Prize

Composer DAVID AVSHALOMOV named HONORED ARTIST of The American Prize

Composer LEE ACTOR named HONORED ARTIST of The American Prize