FINALISTS in ART SONG (women, all divisions), 2013

Friedrich Schorr as Wotan

The American Prize in Voice—Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Awards is pleased to announce FINALISTS in art song (women, all divisions), 2013.

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

To know the exact day and time when winners will be announced, please "like" our Facebook page, where the information will be posted. 

          "Perhaps, if the overall quality of the applicants in this competition is a guide, there is evidence of the beginning of renaissance in the art of recital singing in this country. So much elegant, graceful, musical and heartfelt vocalism is on display, along with some wonderful performance concepts—one hopes it may prove to be the case..."

Congratulations.

SPECIAL NOTE to SEMI-FINALISTS: Even if you were not advanced to the final round, the competition is not yet over. The judges reserve the right to award honorable mentions and citations to any candidate, at their discretion, and have honored semi-finalists in the past for further recognition. Additional information about honors and opportunitites for semi-finalists will be included in the upcoming edition of "On TAP," our e-newsletter, which will be sent in early June to the email addresses of all contestants we have on file.

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FINALISTS: The American Prize in Voice—Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Awards, 2013
Art Song, professional division, women

Rebekah Alexander   Brookline MA
Kristina Bachrach   Holliston MA
Karol Carroll   Manchester NH
Abigail Krawson   Jamaica Plain MA
Dana Zenobi   Austin TX
Amaya Arberas   New York NY
Rebekah Auyeung   Frisco TX
Jessica Louise Coe   Chicago IL
Kristen Frost   St. Louis  MO
Rosalind Lee   Oak Park IL
Natalie Mann   Moreno Valley CA
Emily Marvosh   Cambridge MA
Joanna Porackova   Lexington MA

FINALISTS: The American Prize in Voice—Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Awards, 2013
Art Song, college/university division, women
     
Clare Demer   Tucson AZ
Dana  Kephart   Flemington NJ
Rachel Policar   New York NY
Diana Yodzis   Matthews NC
Courtney Miller   Jamaica Plain MA
Megan  Slack   Cincinnati OH
Lilla Heinrich Szasz   Princeton NJ

FINALISTS: The American Prize in Voice—Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Awards, 2013
Art Song, high school division, women
     
Olivia Boen   River Forest IL
Emily Peterson   San Diego CA
Emily Pogorek   Whitefish Bay WI

The American Prize: SEMI-FINALIST ENSEMBLES, 2013

The American Prize  is pleased to announce ENSEMBLE semi-finalists for 2013.

Congratulations!

To know the exact day and time when finalists will be announced, please "like" our Facebook page, where the information will be posted. 

Owing to the number of qualified candidates advanced to the semi-final rounds in certain categories, and as allowed under the rules, one prize will be awarded in each of the following divisions. The judges reserve the right to award special citations and honorable mentions at their discretion.

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

The American Prize in Orchestral Performance—professional orchestra  
     
John Gordon Ross  Western Piedmont Symphony         Hickory, NC
Nan Harrison   Washburn Michigan Philharmonic   Plymouth, MI
     
     
The American Prize in Orchestral Performance—community orchestra  

Donald L. Appert   Clark College Orchestra          Vancouver, WA
Donald L. Appert   Oregon Sinfonietta   Portland, OR
David Bernard   Park Avenue Chamber Symphony   New York, NY
Robert W. Butts   The Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey   Madison, NJ
Anna Edwards   Seattle Collaborative Orchestra       Seattle, WA
Charles Salembier   Waynesboro Symphony Orchestra   Waynesboro, VA
Tara Towson Villa   Davidson College Symphony Orchestra   Davidson, NC
James Villani   Manassas Symphony Orchestra       Manassas, VA
     
     
The American Prize in Orchestral Performance—college/university orchestra  

Michael Alexander   Kennesaw State University Symphony Orchestra   Kennesaw, GA
Steven Amundson   St. Olaf Orchestra  Northfield, MN
Taeyoung Lee   Mannes Orchestra   New York, NY
Jaemi Loeb   Centre College Orchestra   Danville, KY
Mitchell Arnold   West Virginia Symphony Orchestra   Morgantown, WV
Stephen Heyde   Baylor Symphony   Waco, TX
Jeffery Meyer   Ithaca College Symphony Orchestra   Ithaca, NY
Dr. Bryce Seliger   Pacific Philharmonic   Forest Grove, OR
     

The American Prize in Orchestral Performance—school orchestra  

Jonathan Handman   Arlington HS Philharmonia   LaGrangeville, NY
Dr. Shira Katsman   Interlake HS Chamber Orchestra   Bellevue, WA
Patrick R. O'Connor   District 214 Honors Orchestra   Mt. Prospect, IL
Ryan Ross   Jasper HS Legacy Orchestra   Plano, TX
Ralph T. Jackson   Bridle Path/ Montgomery Select String Ensemble   Lansdale, PA
     
     
The American Prize in Orchestral Performance—youth orchestra  

Mary Cowans   Saratoga Springs Youth Orchestra   Sarasota Springs, NY
Dr.Thomas Taylor Dickey   Dubuque Symphony Youth Orchestra   Dubuque, IA
Alyze Dreiling   YPO Soloist Ensemble   San Diego, CA
Gabriella Fryer   Vivace   Poughkeepsie, NY
Michael Webster   Houston Youth Symphony   Houston, TX
     
     
The American Prize in Band/Wind Ensemble Performance
     
Brian Hughes   Quad City Wind Ensemble   Davenport, IA
David Thomas Kehler   Kennesaw State Univ. Wind Ensemble   Kennesaw, GA
Stephen Meyer   Clear Creek High School Wind Ensemble   League City, TX
Teren  Shaffer   Frederick Fennell Wind Ensemble           Santa Ana, CA

The American Prize in Choral Performance—community

Ryan Brandau   Princeton Pro Musica   Princeton, NJ
Jeffrey Clanton   Atlanta Sacred Chorale   Atlanta, GA
Judith Gary   The Virginia Consort Festival Chorus   Charlottesville, VA
Robert D. Ginsberg   The Cecilia Chorus of New York   New York, NY
Erol Gurol   Cantori New York   New York, NY
Ryan Heller   Austin Vocal Arts Ensemble   Austin, TX
Donald Kendrick   Sacramento Choral Society and Orchestra   Sacramento, CA
Kathleen McGuire   Singers of the Street                        San Francisco, CA
Nancy Menk   South Bend Chamber Singers                   South Bend, IN
Donna O'Connor   Choral Arts   Seattle, WA
Marsha Owens   Washington Festival Chorale   Washington, PA
Michael Pettry   Indianapolis Symphonic Choir   Indianapolis, IN
Loren Ponten   Opus 7 Vocal Ensemble   Seattle, WA
     

The American Prize in Choral Performance—college/university
     
James M. Reddan   Linn-Benton Re-Choired Element Chamber Choir   Albany, OR
James M. Reddan   Linn-Benton Concert Choir        Albany, OR
Kimberly Dunn Adams   Western Michigan University Chorale   Kalamazoo, MI
Peggy Dettwiler   Mansfield University Concert Choir   Mansfield, PA
David Holdhusen   Univ. of South Dakota Chamber Singers   Vermillion, SD
Richard Nance   Pacific Lutheran University Choir of the West   Tacoma, WA
James Rodde   Iowa State Singers   Ames, IA
Mark Shapiro   LIU Post Chorus   Brookville, NY
Mark Shapiro   LIU Post Chamber Singers   Brookville, NY
Ethan Sperry   Portland State Chamber Choir   Portland, OR


The American Prize in Choral Performance—youth/high school

Karyn Joaquino Brearley   B-Naturals   New York, NY
Erin E. Plisco   Pinecrest High School Chamber Ensemble   Southern Pines, NC
Angie Johnson   Young Naperville Singers Chamber Singers   Naperville, IL
     

The American Prize in Opera Performance
     
Karen Rich   dell'Arte Opera Ensemble   New York, NY
Mary E. Sederburg   Undercroft Opera   Pittsburgh, PA
Lidiya Yankovskaya   Lowell House Opera, Harvard University   Cambridge, MA
Brian DeMaris   Ithaca College Ithaca, NY
Carleen Graham   Crane School of Music, SUNY-Potsdam   Potsdam, NY
Alan E. Hicks   Martha-Ellen Tye Opera Theatre, Univ. of Iowa   Iowa City, IA
Tracelyn Gesteland   University of South Dakota Opera   Vermillion, SD
     

SEMI-FINALISTS: The American Prize in Conducting, 2013

The American Prize  is pleased to announce semi-finalists in CONDUCTING for 2013.

Congratulations!

To know the exact day and time when finalists will be announced, please "like" our Facebook page, where the information will be posted. 

Owing to the number of qualified candidates advanced to the semi-final rounds in certain categories, and as allowed under the rules, one prize will be awarded in each of the following divisions. The judges reserve the right to award special citations and honorable mentions at their discretion.

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

The American Prize in Conducting—Orchestra division, professional
     
Darin Lewis  Simpatico Chamber Ensemble  Stamford, CT
Jason Lim   Odysseus Chamber Orchestra   Denton, TX
Judith Morse   Edison Symphony Edison, NJ
Vlad Vizireanu   George Enescu Philharmonic   Bucharest, Romania
Nan Harrison Washburn   Michigan Philharmonic   Plymouth, MI
     

The American Prize in Conducting—Orchestra division, community
     
Donald L. Appert  Clark College Orchestra  Vancouver, WA
David Bernard   Park Avenue Chamber Symphony   New York, NY
Robert W. Butts   The Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey   Madison, NJ
Anna Edwards   Seattle Collaborative Orchestra     Seattle, WA
Christopher Koch   Springfield-Drury Civic Orchestra   Springfield, MO
Benjamin Lorenzo   Stillwater/OSU Community Orchestra   Stillwater, OK
Tara Towson Villa   Davidson College Symphony Orchestra   Davidson, NC      

  
The American Prize in Conducting—Orchestra division, college/university

David Gargaro   Bard College Orchestra   Annandale on Hudson, NY
Taeyoung Lee   Mannes Orchestra   New York, NY
Qinqing Qian   SFCM Conservatory Orchestra   San Francisco, CA
Alexandra Dee   Florida State University Philharmonia   Tallahassee, FL
Carlos Espinosa  University of Kansas Symphony Orchestra Lawrence, KS
Steven Eric Hawk   University of Georgia Symphony Orchestra   Athens, GA
Jeffery Meyer   Ithaca College Symphony Orchestra   Ithaca, NY
Dr. Jason Fredrick Rinehart   Univ. of Louisiana at Monroe   Monroe, LA
Dr. Bryce Seliger   Pacific Philharmonic   Forest Grove, OR
Kevin Sutterlin   University of Memphis Symphony Orchestra   Memphis, TN
Chaowen Ting   Eastman Philharmonia   Rochester, NY
Vlad Vizireanu   Arizona State Univ. Symphony Orchestra   Tempe, AZ
Vera Volchansky   Mellersville University Orchestra   Lancaster, PA
     
 
The American Prize in Conducting—Orchestra division, youth
      
Dr. Thomas Taylor Dickey   Dubuque Symphony Youth Orchestra   Dubuque, IA
Alyze Dreiling   YPO Soloist Ensemble   San Diego, CA
Jonathan Handman   Vivace Arlington HS Philharmonia   Poughkeepsie, NY
Christopher T.F. Hanson  SMART Orchestra  San Marcos, TX
Michael Webster   Houston Youth Symphony   Houston, TX
     
  
The American Prize in Conducting—Choral division     

Donald Kendrick   Sacramento Choral Society   Sacramento, CA
Darin Lewis   St. Francis Choir   Stamford, CT
Thomas R. Vozzella   Free Will Baptist Choral Union   Nashville, TN
Ingrid Lestrud   Conservatory Choir   Chicago, IL
Peggy Dettwiler   Mansfield University Festival Chorus   Mansfield, PA
Timothy S. McDonnell   Ave Maria University Chamber Choir   Ave Maria, FL
Richard Nance   Pacific Lutheran University Choir of the West   Tacoma, WA


The American Prize in Conducting—Band/Wind Ensemble division   
     
Joel Bein   High Desert Winds   Santa Fe, NM
Jason D. Duran   Lakeside Pride Sympnonic Band   Chicago, IL
Brian Hughes   Quad City Wind Ensemble   Davenport, IA
Kevin Sutterlin   Musikgesellschaft Emmen   Emmen, Switzerland
Benjamin Lorenzo (various) Austin, Lubbock TX, West Point, NY
Thanapol Setabrahmana   CCM Wind Studies      Cincinnati, OH
Christopher Unger   Eastman Wind Ensemble/Eastman Wind Orchestra   Rochester, NY


The American Prize in Conducting—Opera & Music Theater division
           
Robert W. Butts   Opera at Florham   Florham Park,  NJ
Maria Sensi Sellner   Hubbard Hall Opera Theater   Cambridge, NY
Robert W. Butts   BONJ Opera   Madison, NJ
Eric Peterson   Savoynet Performing Group   Buxton, England
Maria Sensi Sellner   Boston Opera Collaborative   Boston, MA
Lidiya Yankovskaya   Lowell House Opera, Harvard University   Cambridge, MA      
Brian DeMaris   Ithaca College   Ithaca, NY
Qinqing Qian   San Francisco Conservatory of Music   San Francisco, CA
Randi Ellen Rudolph   Ram's Head Theatrical Society at Stanford Univ.   Stanford, CA      

Vytautas Marijosius

The American Prize in Orchestral Programming—Vytautas Marijosius Memorial Award 

John Stickler   Gulf Coast Symphony   Biloxi, MS
Donald L. Appert   Oregon Sinfonietta   Portland, OR
Donald L. Appert   Clark College Orchestra   Vancouver, WA
Jason Love   Columbia Orchestra   Ellicott City, MD
Tara Towson Villa   Lee County Community Orchestra   Sanford, NC
Tara Towson Villa   Davidson College Symphony Orchestra   Davidson, NC
Tian Hui Ng   Mount Holyoke Symphony Orchestra   South Hadley, MA
Jeffery Meyer   Ithaca College Chamber Orchestra   Ithaca, NY
Jeffery Meyer   Ithaca College Symphony Orchestra   Ithaca, NY
Dr. Bryce Seliger   Pacific Philharmonic   Forest Grove, OR
Alyze Dreiling   YPO Soloist Ensemble   San Diego, CA

OPERA & ART SONG FINALISTS (men), 2013

The American Prize in Voice Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Awards is pleased to announce FINALISTS in opera and art song for 2013 (men). Congratulations!

To know the exact day and time when winners will be announced, please "like" our Facebook page, where the information will be posted.

Because of the limited number of qualified men advanced to the semi-final rounds in opera and art song, and as allowed under the rules, one prize will be awarded in each division. The judges reserve the right to award special citations and honorable mentions at their discretion. 

FINALISTS: The American Prize in Voice—Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Awards, 2013
Opera Division, men
     
Mitchell Hutchings   Cincinnati OH
Christian Ketter   Chicago IL 
Michael Orlinsky   Chicago IL


FINALISTS: The American Prize in Voice—Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Awards, 2013
Art Song Division, men

Michael Cavalieri   Homewood IL
Darren Chase   New York NY
Andrew Fuchs   Astoria NY
H. Conor Angell   Houghton NY
Thomas Alaan Lipsmeyer   Chicago IL

FINALISTS in PIANO PERFORMANCE, 2013 (SOLO)

The American Prize is pleased to announce finalists in piano solo performance for 2013. Congratulations!

To know the exact day and time when winners will be announced, please "like" our Facebook page, where the information will be posted. 

One prize will be awarded in each of the following divisions. The judges reserve the right to award special citations and honorable mentions at their discretion.

FINALISTS: The American Prize in Piano Performance, 2013—solo piano, professional division
    
Hye Kyeong Cho   Lacey WA   Scarlatti, Beethoven, Schumann
Richard Fountain   Plainview TX   "American Ivory"
Petronel Malan   Waukesha WI   "Tchaikovsky Transfigured"
Adam Tendler   New York NY   "Night Thoughts—Rothko Chapel"
Stephen Wilber   Chattenooga TN   "Piano"

FINALISTS: The American Prize in Piano Performance, 2013—solo piano, student division

Anthony Michael Cornet  Altoona CA
Hwayoung Noh   Macomb IL
Alice Burla   Ossining NY

Congratulations!

FINALISTS in PIANO PERFORMANCE, 2013 (CONCERTO)

The American Prize is pleased to announce finalists in piano concerto performance for 2013. Congratulations!

To know the exact day and time when winners will be announced, please "like" our Facebook page, where the information will be posted. 

FINALISTS: The American Prize in Piano Performance, 2013—concerto

Alice Burla   Ossining NY
     Grieg: Piano Concerto in A minor
Anthony Michael Cornet   Altoona PA 
     Liszt: Totentanz 
Graciella  Kowalczyk   Alvaton KY
     Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 2 
 SungEun Park  Austin TX 
     Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3

Congratulations!

CHICAGO ORATORIO AWARD WINNERS, 2013

The American Prize is pleased to announce the 2013 winners of the Chicago Oratorio Award. These four individuals will appear under the baton of Maestro David Katz in concert with the Chicago Bar Association Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, performing Bruckner's Te Deum on May 15, 2013 at St James Episcopal Cathedral, Chicago.

This is the second year that the CBASO has used TAP to help select its vocal soloists, a process that is independent from the rest of The American Prize judging. You can read more about the CBASO, the unique musical ensemble made up entirely of members of Chicago's legal community, now in its 27th season: http://cbasymphonyandchorus.blogspot.com/

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CHICAGO ORATORIO AWARD WINNERS, 2013

Josefien Stoppelenburg, soprano

Josefien Stoppelenburg, soprano, performs frequently as soloist in the United States, the Netherlands, and Germany. In Chicago she has performed with Baroque Band, the Apollo Chorus, the Newberry Consort, Handel Week Festival, Fulcrum Point, Ars Musica and Music of the Baroque. From 2005 until 2007 Josefien was part of the Young Opera Ensemble of Cologne. Her operatic roles include Serpina (La Serva Padrona), Amor (Orfeo ed Euridice) and Belinda (Dido and Aeneas), and Poulenc’s La Voix Humaine. She sang Aci in the Haymarket Opera Company’s acclaimed premiere of Handel’s Aci, Galatea e Polifemo and Tirsi in Clori, Tirsi e Fileno. Recent engagements include Bach/Pergolesi Stabat Mater (with Camerata Amsterdam), Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass and Stabat Mater, Handel's La Resurrezione and Dixit Dominus (Baroque Band), the Faure Requiem with Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra, and the world premiere of Jacob TV’s The News, a multi-media reality opera, in Pittsburgh. See also www.josefienstoppelenburg.com

Emily Marvosh, contralto

Emily Marvosh, contralto, is gaining recognition as a skilled performer of oratorio and opera, with a “flexible technique and ripe color,” and “smooth, apparently effortless vocal display.” She has recently appeared as a soloist with the Handel and Haydn Society, Opera Boston, Boston Lyric Opera, and Longwood Opera; she is also a frequent soloist with the Marsh Chapel Bach Cantata Series. Forays into new music include world premieres with Juventas New Music and Intermezzo Chamber Opera.  She is a founding member of the Lorelei Ensemble, promoting new music for women.  Of a recent Lorelei world premiere, one critic wrote, “Marvosh, whose stage presence was a joy to behold, offered a tone that had the velvety soulfulness of a cello…” Solo appearances in 2012-2013 include the Charlotte Symphony (Messiah), Handel and Haydn Society (Magnificat), Brookline Symphony (Sea Pictures), and the Chorus of Westerly (Mozart’s Requiem).  She holds degrees from Central Michigan University and Boston University.  www.emilymarvosh.com

Christian Ketter, tenor

Tenor, Christian Ketter returns in summer 2013 to Music By The Lake for a staged gala concert as Prince Karl Franz in Sigmund Romberg’s The Student Prince. This past year’s performances included tenor soloist in DuBois’ Les sept paroles du Christ and Saint-Saëns’ Oratorio de Noël; Willy Loman in Rizzer’s operatic adaptation of Death of a Salesman at the Chicago Cultural Center. In addition, Mr. Ketter was privileged this past year to be musically coached and staged by American composer Carlisle Floyd in a concert celebrating his operatic works. Mr. Ketter was an International Finalist in the Kurt Weill Foundation’s Lotte Lenya Competition. 2012, National Winner of the American Prize in Opera; Shirley Rabb Winston Scholarships in Voice Grand Prize Winner; National Finalist in the Shreveport Opera Competition; Harold Haugh finalist-young artist award; 3rd National Finalist for Hal Leonard Vocal Competition. Mr. Ketter has studied under and sung in masterclasses with renowned artists: legendary stage director Tito Capobianco; soprano, Diana Soviero; baritone, Nathan Gunn; Maestro Enrique Patrón de Rueda; the Metropolitan Opera’s Joan Dornemann; film conductor David Friedman; Verdi Baritone Sherrill Milnes; and heldentenor Carl Lawrenz.

Conor Angell, baritone

Born and reared in Ireland, baritone Conor Angell recently completed his doctoral degree in voice at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. This fall, he joined the faculty of the Greatbatch School of Music, Houghton College, where he teaches voice and directs the lyric theater. With IU Opera Theater, he appeared in performances of A View from the Bridge, Il barbiere di Siviglia, The Tale of Lady Thi Kinh and Gianni Schicchi. Previously, Angell was a studio artist at Kentucky Opera, singing roles in Werther, Pirates of Penzance, Verdi’s Otello, Telemann's Don Quichotte and Tchaikovsky’s Iolanta. Other operatic credits include roles in Le nozze di Figaro, Così fan tutte, La bohème, Rigoletto, Susannah, Don Giovanni, Die Zauberflöte, Madama Butterfly, and La vida breve. Angell has sung at the Opera North and Brevard Music Center summer festivals. He completed his master’s degree at UNC-Greensboro and his bachelor’s degree at Taylor University. Angell has performed as a soloist with orchestras in Indiana and North Carolina in oratorio and concert works.

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Tickets for concert, entitled MUSIC for A SACRED SPACE may be purchased online by following this link.

SEMI-FINALISTS in PIANO, 2013 (CORRECTED)

The American Prize in Piano Performance is pleased to announce semi-finalists in concerto and solo performance for 2013. Congratulations!

To know the exact day and time when finalists will be announced, please "like" our Facebook page, where the information will be posted. 

Because of the limited number of qualified candidates advanced to the semi-final rounds, and as allowed under the rules, one prize will be awarded in each of the following divisions. The judges reserve the right to award special citations and honorable mentions at their discretion.

The American Prize in Piano Performance, 2013—concerto
(Due to a computer error, one name was inadvertently left off this list when first published. We apologize for the oversight.)

Graciella  Kowalczyk   Alvaton KY
Anthony Michael Cornet   Altoona PA
SungEun Park  Austin TX
Alice Burla   Ossining NY


The American Prize in Piano Performance, 2013—solo piano, professional division

Hye Kyeong Cho   Lacey WA
Catherine Quillen Dornin   Concord NH
Richard Fountain   Plainview TX
Petronel Malan   Waukesha WI
Michael Rector  Ridgeland MS
Grace Elizabeth Smith   Bloomfield CT
Adam Tendler   New York NY
Stephen Wilber   Chattenooga TN

    
The American Prize in Piano Performance, 2013—solo piano, student division
    
Anthony Michael Cornet   Altoona PA
Shotaro Matsumoto   Montebello CA
Hwayoung Noh   Macomb IL
Alice Burla   Ossining NY

Congratulations!
    
 

VOICE semi-finalists in opera and art song, 2013

Friedrich Schorr

The American Prize in Voice—Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Awards is pleased to announce semi-finalists in opera and art song for 2013. Congratulations!

To know the exact day and time when finalists will be announced, please "like" our Facebook page, where the information will be posted.

The American Prize in Voice—Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Awards, 2013
Opera, professional division, women

Jill Dewsnup   Fruit Heights UT
Angela Jajko   Newton MA
Elyse Kakacek   Chicago IL
Abigail Krawson   Jamaica Plain MA
Alexandra Loutsion   Canonsburg PA
Sophie Michaux   Cambridge MA
Yelka Milanova   Flushing NY
Yulia Petrachuk   Rockville MD
Suzanne Stadler  San Jose CA
Emily Storrs   Lockport NY
Alyssa Bowlby   Norwalk CT
Joan Marie Dauber   Chicago IL
Nancy Anne Davis   Kenosha  WI
Joanna Dionis   Brooklyn NY
Annie Gill   Baltimore MD
Rosalind Lee   Oak Park IL
Arietha Lockhart   Decatur GA
Sarah McIntyre   Chicago IL
Erin Philleo   Boynton Beach FL
Joanna Porackova   Lexington MA
Heidi Sauser   New York NY
Claire Stadtmueller   Westport CT
Kimberly States   Jamaica Plain MA
Christine Steyer   Oak Park IL
Josefien Stoppelenburg   Evanston IL
Suzanne Vinnik   New York NY
Anneliese vonGoerken  Port Hadlock WA
     

The American Prize in Voice—Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Awards, 2013
Opera, university/community division, women
     
Kasia Bitner   Aliso Viejo CA
Adrienne Collins   St. Joseph MO
Clare Demer   Tucson AZ
Aumna Iqbal   Newport Coast CA
Vanessa Naghdi   Manassas VA
Sung Jin Park   Urbana IL
Rachel Policar   New York NY
Diana Yodzis   Matthews NC
Laura Ann Heckmann   Brookfield CT
Erika Cockerham Creve Coeur MO
Courtney Miller   Jamaica Plain MA
Erin  Roth   Plano TX
Meghan Ryan   West Hartford CT
Jennifer Sin   New York NY
Megan  Slack   Cincinnati OH
Lilla Heinrich Szasz   Princeton NJ
Shahrzad Tavakol   Irvine CA
Ariana Wehr   Lafayette LA


The American Prize in Voice—Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Awards, 2013
Opera, high school division, women
     
Hayley Boggs   Oakland MI
Emily Rose Perry   Powell OH
Emily Pogorek   Whitefish Bay WI


The American Prize in Voice—Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Awards, 2013
Art Song, professional division, women

Rebekah Alexander   Brookline MA
Kristina Bachrach   Holliston MA
Karol Carroll   Manchester NH
Erin Elizabeth Hanson   San Marcos TX
Shannon Jones   Brooklyn NY
Elizabeth Bell Kling   Erie CO
Abigail Krawson   Jamaica Plain MA
Emily Storrs   Lockport NY
Dana Zenobi   Austin TX
Amaya Arberas   New York NY
Rebekah Auyeung   Frisco TX
Jessica Louise Coe   Chicago IL
Bonnie Cutsforth-Huber   Hollidaysburg PA
Kristen Frost   St. Louis  MO
Annie Gill   Baltimore MD
Rosalind Lee   Oak Park IL
Natalie Mann   Moreno Valley CA
Emily Marvosh   Cambridge MA
Sarah McIntyre   Chicago IL
Nacole Palmer   New Canaan CT
Joanna Porackova   Lexington MA
Suzanne Vinnik   New York NY
Anneliese vonGoerken   Port Hadlock WA
     

The American Prize in Voice—Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Awards, 2013
Art Song, university division, women
     
Kasia Bitner   Aliso Viejo CA
Clare Demer   Tucson AZ
Dana  Kephart   Flemington NJ
Amy Mitchell   Hopkinton NH
Rachel Policar   New York NY
Rebecca Stuhlbarg   Portland OR
Kassidy Grace Wells   Wellsburg WV
Diana Yodzis   Matthews NC
Courtney Miller   Jamaica Plain MA
Megan  Slack   Cincinnati OH
Lilla Heinrich Szasz   Princeton NJ
Shahrzad Tavakol   Irvine CA
     

The American Prize in Voice—Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Awards, 2013
Art Song, high school division, women
     
Olivia Boen   River Forest IL
Emily Peterson   San Diego CA
Emily Pogorek   Whitefish Bay WI

***

Because of the limited number of qualified men advanced to the semi-final rounds in opera and art song, and as allowed under the rules, one prize will be awarded in each division. The judges reserve the right to award special citations and honorable mentions at their discretion.

The American Prize in Voice—Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Awards, 2013
Opera Division, men
     
Mitchell Hutchings   Cincinnati OH
Christian Ketter   Chicago IL 
Kevin Nickorick   St.Petersburg FL
Michael Orlinsky   Chicago IL
Brendan Sliger   Hagerstown MD


The American Prize in Voice—Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Awards, 2013
Art Song Division, men

Johnny Butler   Washington DC
Michael Cavalieri   Homewood IL
Darren Chase   New York NY
Andrew Fuchs   Astoria NY
H. Conor Angell   Houghton NY
Bei Gou   Fargo ND
Thomas Alaan Lipsmeyer   Chicago IL
Wesley Dunnagan   Wabash IN
Michael Orlinsky   Chicago IL

COMPOSER semi-finalists, 2013: band and chamber music

The American Prize is pleased to announce composer semi-finalists for 2013 in the band and chamber music categories.

(For choral and orchestra semi-finalists, please scroll down to the previous post.)

"A significant number of candidates in each division made the preliminary cut," commented chief judge David Katz. "As we begin to move towards selecting finalists, and ultimately the winners and runners-up in each division, it will surely prove to be a very tight and exciting race, and a difficult final choice for our judges. The depth of talent on display is truly impressive."

To know the exact day and time when finalists will be announced, please "like" our Facebook page, where the information will be posted. 

The American Prize in Composition—Band, Professional Division
    
David Avshalomov   Santa Monica CA
Jesse Ayers   Canton OH
Sy Brandon   Cottonwood AZ
Samuel A. Livingston   Hopewell NJ
Daniel McCarthy   Akron OH
Lansing McLoskey   Miami FL
Darren Mitchell   Kirkland WA
David P. Sartor   Hermitage TN
Aleksander Sternfeld-Dunn   Wichita KS
George Sweet   Piedmont SC


The American Prize in Composition—Band, Student Division
    
Viet Cuong   Marietta GA
Jae Lee Johns   Creek GA
David Clay Mettens   Covington KY
Maya  Nag  Saratoga CA
    

The American Prize in Composition—Chamber, Professional Division
    
David Avshalomov   Santa Monica CA
Greg  Bartholomew   Seattle WA
Jeremy Beck   Louisville KY
Sy Brandon   Cottonwood AZ
Oliver Caplan   Somerville MA
Luke Cissell   Memphis IN
I'Lana S. Cotton   Medford OR
Michael Deak   Gig Harbor WA
Nicholas DeMaison   Brooklyn NY
Nancy Bloomer Deussen   Mountain View  CA
Duilio Dobrin   Traverse City MI
Matthew H. Fields   Ann Arbor MI
Tan Hainu   Boston MA
Christopher T.F. Hanson   San Marcos TX
David Heuser   Potsdam NY
Doron Kima   Albany CA
Joseph Koykkar   Madison WI
Patricia  Leonard   New York NY
Samuel A. Livingston   Hopewell NJ
Patricia Elizabeth Martinez   Buenos Aires Argentina
Daniel McCarthy   Akron OH
Lansing McLoskey   Miami FL
William Popp   Loveland CO
William Price   Birmingham AL
Blake Ragghianti   Pittsburgh PA
Clement Reid   Tacoma WA
David P. Sartor   Hermitage TN
Andrew Sigler   Austin TX
Richard S. Silverman   Brooklyn NY
Bradley Sowash   Columbus OH
Greg A. Steinke   Depoe Bay OR
Noah D. Taylor   Louisville KY
Waddy Thompson   New York NY


The American Prize in Composition—Chamber, Student Division
    
Cody  Brookshire   Gainesville GA
Trevor Bumgarner   Newton NC
Rodrigo Bussad Cesar   Miami FL
Chin Ting Chan   Kansas City MO
Alex Cooke   Cleveland Heights OH
Melissa  Dunphy   Philadelphia PA
Joseph Gregorio   West Chester PA
Tan Hainu   Boston MA
John Hennecken   Marinez GA
Gleb Kanasevich   Sykesfille MD
Seul-Ki Kim   Atlanta GA
Shuying Li   Hartford CT
Yangzhi Ma   New York NY
Tudor Dominik Maican   Bethesda MD
Arash Majd   Northridge CA
Gillian Menichino   Manchester UK
Elizabeth Nonemaker   Baltimore MD
Rongxin Peng   New York NY
Liza  Sobel   Cresskill NJ
Scott Steele   Kansas City MO
Kyle Vanderburg   Norman OK
Yiguo Yan   Waltham MA
   

COMPOSER semi-finalists, 2013: orchestra and chorus

The American Prize is pleased to announce composer semi-finalists for 2013 in the orchestra and choral categories.

"A significant number of candidates in each division made the preliminary cut," commented chief judge David Katz. "As we begin to move towards selecting finalists, and ultimately the winners and runners-up in each division, it will surely prove to be a very tight and exciting race, and a difficult final choice for our judges. The depth of talent on display is truly impressive."

To know the exact day and time when finalists will be announced, please "like" our Facebook page, where the information will be posted. 


The American Prize in Composition—Orchestra, Professional Division
    
Lee Actor   Monte Sereno CA
Adrienne Albert   Los Angeles CA
Donald L. Appert   Vancouver WA
David Avshalomov   Santa Monica CA
Jesse Ayers   Canton OH
Jeremy Beck   Louisville KY
Ofer Ben-Amots   Colorado Springs CO
Robert W. Butts   Rockaway, NJ
Mark Dal Porto   Portales NM
Matthew H. Fields   Ann Arbor MI
Jack Gallagher   Wooster OH
Arthur Gottschalk   Houston TX
David Heuser   Potsdam NY
Kris Johnson   Ferndale MI
Darin Lewis   Stamford CT
Luke Mayernik   Pittsburgh PA
Daniel McCarthy   Akron OH
Blake Ronald   Ragghianti Pittsburgh PA
Alessandra  Salvati   Miami FL
David P. Sartor   Hermitage TN
Len Savoie   Bethel CT
Kyle Simpson   Pittsburgh PA
Andrew  Smith   Boston MA
Robert Tamaro   Beloit  WI
Michael Glenn Williams  Newbury Park CA
    

The American Prize in Composition—Orchestra, Student Division
    
Christopher Chandler   Rochester NY
James Craft   San Francisco CA
Kyle Duffee   Pueblo West CO
Michael-Thomas Foumai   Ann Arbor MI
Joseph Gregorio   West Chester PA
Sahil Jindal   Dover NJ
Shuying Li   Hartford CT
Ian Ng   New York NY
Elizabeth Nonemaker   Baltimore MD
Peter F. Nostrand   Mason Neck VA
Geoffrey Pope   Denver CO
Liza  Sobel   Cresskill NJ
Youngwoo Yoo   Champaign IL
    

The American Prize in Composition—Choral, Professional Division
    
Jonathan Adams   Jonesboro AR
Adrienne Albert   Los Angeles CA
David Avshalomov   Santa Monica CA
Greg  Bartholomew   Seattle WA
Doug Brandt   New York NY
B.J. Brooks   Canyon TX
Oliver  Caplan   Somerville MA
I'Lana S. Cotton   Medford OR
David Crowe   Lee MA
Rachel DeVore Fogarty   Nashville TN
Raphael  Fusco   North Bergen NJ
Joseph J. Giallombardo   Glenview IL
Brian Holmes   San Jose CA
Chiwei (Jerry) Hui   Madison WI
Mary Ann Joyce-Walter   Airmont NY
Ryan Keebaugh   Stephens City VA
Frank La Rocca   Oakland CA
Susan  LaBarr   Cleveland TN
Elise Letourneau   Orleans, ON Canada
Darin Lewis   Stamford CT
David Lipten   Tallahassee FL
Christopher Marshall  Orlando FL
Luke Mayernik   Pittsburgh PA
Daniel McCarthy   Akron OH
Kathleen McGuire   San Francisco CA
Margaret S. Meier   Claremont CA
John Muehleisen   Mukilteo WA
Stephen Murray   Richmond MA
Sean Pflueger   Burke VA
William Popp   Loveland CO
Kathleen Ready   Westwood MA
Richard Rice   Alexandria VA
Paul John Rudoi   Minneapolis MN
Jake Runestad   Minneapolis MN
Jonathan Santore   Plymouth NH
Ted  Vives   Los Alamos NM
Deanna Witkowski   New York NY
    

The American Prize in Composition—Choral, Student Division
    
Jiyoun Chung   Kansas City MO
Peter Neil Dayton III   Terrace Park OH
Ezra Donner   Bloomington  IN
Luke  Flynn   Dubuque IA
Joseph Gregorio   West Chester PA
John Hennecken   Marinez GA
Elizabeth  Lim   New York NY
Brian Mark   Holbrook NY
Gillian Menichino   Manchester UK
Elena Desmond Nickel   Fairfax VA
Timothy Roy   Mission KS
Steven Serpa   Coventry RI
Liza  Sobel   Cresskill NJ

CHICAGO ORATORIO AWARD FINALISTS, 2013

The American Prize is pleased to announce the 2013 finalists for the Chicago Oratorio Award. Four of the listed individuals, one each of soprano, alto (mezzo), tenor and bass (baritone) will appear under the baton of Maestro David Katz in concert with the Chicago Bar Association Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, performing Bruckner's Te Deum on May 15, 2013 at St James Episcopal Cathedral, Chicago.

Mr. Katz expects to complete the selection process early next week; winners will be contacted individually by email to accept their selection. After all four have responded positively, the winners will be announced on this blog. 

This is the second year that the CBASO has used TAP to help select its vocal soloists, a process that is independent from the rest of The American Prize judging. You can read more about the CBASO, the unique musical ensemble made up entirely of members of Chicago's legal community, now in its 27th season: http://cbasymphonyandchorus.blogspot.com/

Semi-finalists for The American Prize Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Awards, 2013, will be announced here shortly.

2013 finalists for the Chicago Oratorio Award:
  
Rebekah Auyeung    Frisco    TX  
Alyssa Bowlby    Norwalk    CT  
Joan Marie Dauber    Chicago    IL    
Joanna Dionis    Brooklyn    NY  
Kristen Frost    St. Louis     MO  
Annie Gill    Baltimore    MD   
Rosalind Lee    Oak Park    IL
Areitha Lockhart,   Decatur  GA
Natalie Mann    Moreno Valley    CA       
Emily Marvosh    Cambridge    MA            
Courtney Miller    Jamaica Plain    MA       
Nacole Palmer    New Canaan    CT           
Joanna Porackova    Lexington    MA       
Erin Roth    Plano     TX       
Claire Stadtmueller   Westport, CT
Christine Steyer   Oak Park   IL
Josefien Stoppelenburg   Evanston   IL  
Lilla Heinrich Szasz    Princeton    NJ        
Suzanne Vinnik    New York    NY  
H. Conor Angell    Houghton    NY      
Wesley Dunnagan    Wabash    IN      
Christian Ketter    Chicago    IL           
Michael Orlinsky    Chicago    IL   
Brendan Sliger    Hagerstown    MD  

Congratulations! 

CORRECTED: Chicago Oratorio Award SEMI-FINALISTS

Due to a minor computer error, several names were inadvertently left off the list of 2013 semi-finalists for The American Prize Chicago Oratorio Award. The corrected list is below. We apologize for the error.

We expect to announce finalists for the Chicago Oratorio Award later this week. The exact date and time of the announcement will be published first to our facebook page.

Four of the listed individuals, one each of soprano, alto (mezzo), tenor and bass (baritone) will appear under the baton of Maestro David Katz in concert with the Chicago Bar Association Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, performing Bruckner's Te Deum on May 15, 2013 at St James Episcopal Cathedral, Chicago.

This is the second year that the CBASO has used TAP to help select its vocal soloists, a process that is independent from the rest of The American Prize judging. You can read more about the CBASO, the unique musical ensemble made up entirely of members of Chicago's legal community, now in its 27th season: http://cbasymphonyandchorus.blogspot.com/

Congratulations!

Amaya Arberas    New York    NY  
Rebekah Auyeung    Frisco    TX  
Alyssa Bowlby    Norwalk    CT  
Jessica Louise Coe    Chicago    IL  
Bonnie Cutsforth-Huber    Hollidaysburg    PA  
Joan Marie Dauber    Chicago    IL  
Nancy Anne Davis    Kenosha     WI  
Joanna Dionis    Brooklyn    NY  
Kristen Frost    St. Louis     MO  
Annie Gill    Baltimore    MD   
Laura Ann Heckmann    Brookfield    CT  
Rosalind Lee    Oak Park    IL  
Areitha Lockhart,   Decatur  GA
Natalie Mann    Moreno Valley    CA       
Emily Marvosh    Cambridge    MA       
Sarah McIntyre    Chicago    IL       
Courtney Miller    Jamaica Plain    MA       
Nacole Palmer    New Canaan    CT       
Erin Philleo    Boynton Beach    FL     
Joanna Porackova    Lexington    MA       
Erin Roth    Plano     TX       
Meghan Ryan    West Hartord    CT       
Heidi Sauser    New York    NY       
Jennifer Sin    New York    NY       
Megan Slack    Cincinnati    OH       
Claire Stadtmueller   Westport, CT
Kimberly States    Jamaica Plain    MA   
Christine Steyer   Oak Park   IL
Josefien Stoppelenburg   Evanston   IL  
Lilla Heinrich Szasz    Princeton    NJ       
Shahrzad Tavakol    Irvine    CA       
Suzanne Vinnik    New York    NY  
Anneliese vonGoerken    Port Hadlock    WA       
Ariana Wehr    Lafayette    LA       
H.Conor Angell    Houghton    NY      
Wesley Dunnagan    Wabash    IN      
Christian Ketter    Chicago    IL      
Thomas Alaan Lipsmeyer    Chicago    IL      
Michael Orlinsky    Chicago    IL   
Brendan Sliger    Hagerstown    MD   

WHY do so MANY people apply, and then apply AGAIN, to win The American Prize?

One of the most gratifying but unexpected trends in the growth of The American Prize is the number of individual artists and ensembles who apply to the competitions, and then, in another year, apply again.  (There is never a prohibition against winners reapplying.)

Not just winners, but runners-up, finalists and semi-finalists are among those who have submitted materials to be evaluated two, three or even four years in a row. "Certainly, individuals and groups apply to win," said David Katz, chief judge of the competitions, "but I think there are many more reasons than that, and they point to why The American Prize has become such a unique and valued national arts competition."

Here are some of the reasons many contestants apply, and apply again.

LOCAL, REGIONAL and NATIONAL RECOGNITION that truly makes a difference: When an individual artist or ensemble is honored by The American Prize for excellence, whether as a winner, runner-up, finalist, or even semi-finalist, they receive national validation difficult to achieve elsewhere. Contestants tell us that visibility in the competitions drives local attention and appreciation for individual artists, for ensembles and conductors, and can help lead to larger audiences, additional recognition, better recruitment and even larger donations.

Here are some thoughts from recent TAP laureates:

Donald Appert

"Winning the American Prize has generated an increased interest in all the concerts of my orchestras. Our audiences are larger and more generous (since the concerts are free, we accept donations at the door). It has encouraged all of my orchestras to excel in their performances and raised the level of their participation in the ensembles."

Donald L. Appert, DMA
Music Director/Conductor - Clark College Orchestra
Music Director/Conductor - Oregon Sinfonietta
Artistic Director and Conductor – Jewish Community Orchestra
Music Department Chair & Professor of Music - Clark College
writer member of ASCAP
2011 Winner of The American Prize in Orchestral Programming - Vytautas Marijosius Memorial Award

***  

Daniel Sommerville

"Receiving third place in The American Prize in Orchestra Performance—College/University Division in 2012 was indeed an honor for the Wheaton College Symphony Orchestra (IL) and myself. 

It was not only a privilege to have been adjudicated and chosen by distinguished judges, but the award has garnered much recognition and praise for the orchestra in the local press and from alumni, administration and faculty through its mention in college publications.  

The award has been a significant affirmation of our orchestra program."

Daniel Sommerville
Associate Professor and Orchestra Conductor
Conservatory of Music, Wheaton College
Wheaton, Illinois

***

Roberta Carpenter

"Your award means a great deal and is very timely to our organization (Oconomowoc Chamber Orchestra), which is young and establishing our presence. We have two orchestras, an avocational group and a professional ensemble. The American Prize Award helped us gain recognition in a way that we simply couldn't do ourselves, and the community noticed. For our board, it made them aware that we are one a correct path, and that what we do in a small community can have a place in our larger world. Professionally, it is extremely fulfilling to have others in the field recognize the work. I am deeply impressed.

I am certain the national awareness of your program will continue to grow, as you are reaching into many communities to help them grow! We at OCO look forward to helping your Award be visible in our community for years to come."

Roberta Carpenter
OCO Music Director

***

UNBIASED FEEDBACK: All applicants to The American Prize who achieve finalist status or higher receive written evaluations from one or more of the distinguished judges on our panel. These individuals are persons as varied in skills and training as we hope the winners of The American Prize will be. They bring real-world experience to their task, knowing the complexites, rewards and challenges individual artists, conductors and ensembles face in 21st century America. Each is charged to provide evaluations that we hope the contestants themselves will deem respectful, perhaps insightful, and of real value.

FAIRNESS: "As I watch the applications arrive each competition season from all across the country, I never have any idea who the ultimate winners will be," commented Maestro Katz. "There is always sense of discovery—of finding a gem of an ensemble or a tremendously talented individual artist or music director in an unexpected place, or a group or conductor in a major city achieving extraordinary results. When a familiar name crosses my desk because they have applied before, there is that added excitement to see and hear what they are up to this season—how good they will be be, how much they have achieved, what repertoire they have tackled—and, in the back of my mind the most interesting question: "how will my fellow judges rank their submission this year in relation to all the others?"

LONGEVITY: Although The American Prize is awarded annually, the benefits of success in the competitions do not expire with the turning of the calendar. Many TAP winners, runners-up, finalists and semi-finalists continue to trumpet their placement in the contests for years after the original result. Often, the TAP logo remains on their website long after the competition year, a real "seal of approval," —and success in the contests continues to be highlighted prominently in their publicity.  The American Prize means that much.

And should an individual artist, conductor or ensemble apply and place highly a second or third year, that recognition points to a level of ongoing quality that can be a career boon throughout the community, regardless of where the artists are based geographically.

CERTIFICATES: Every contestant who achieves semi-finalist status or higher in the competitions of The American Prize receives a individualized certificate, suitable for framing. Now that The American Prize has found a vendor to provide frames personalized to the needs of the contestant, we expect that many more will be hanging in offices, studios, rehearsal locations, lobbies and board rooms all across the country.

(Information about how to purchase 2013 TAP Gifts will be published soon.)

CASH PRIZES: A single cash award in each category is presented. Cash prizes range from $100 to $500, depending on the year, the competition, and the number of entrants. As the contests and our fund-raising efforts grow, we expect to be able to award larger prizes in more categories. (The American Prize has awarded more than $10,000 in prize money since 2010.) Winning cash is fun, of course, but it is clear that the benefits of The American Prize extend to far more than dollars.

CONDUCTOR & ENSEMBLE deadlines approaching, extensions available

...for conductors and their ensembles:

• orchestras
• choruses 
• wind ensembles/bands
• opera companies
• music theater companies
• and in the unique field of orchestral programming

at the professional, community, college/university, and high school levels.

The original postmark deadline for The American Prize, 2013, for conductors and their ensembles is Monday, March 18th. 

POSTMARK DEADLINE EXTENSION: Applications will be accepted postmarked through Thursday, April 4, 2013 for those who need more time.

If you wish to take advantage of the extension, or have any other questions,
please email us by April 4th with your intention to apply: theamericanprize@gmail.com
Applicants expecting to meet the original March deadline need not email in advance.

Complete information, including requirements, application forms, bios of judges, and listings of previous winners, may be found on the website: www.theamericanprize.org

Among applications already received for the 2013 competitions are many from TAP laureates who previously applied and have decided to enter again. It is gratifying that these special competitions, which offer reward and recognition based on recorded performances (there is no live competition) appear to be finding a unique place in the nation's artistic life.

Questions or extension requests: theamericanprize@gmail.com

***
If you're a performing artist or lead an ensemble, you have recordings. The American Prize wants to hear them.

The American Prize is unique—the only national, nonprofit competitions in the performing arts based solely on the evaluation of commercial and noncommercial CD and DVD recordings of performing artists. The American Prize has awarded more than $10,000 in prize money since 2010.
    •    No live competition.
    •    No age limits.
    •    Few repertoire restrictions.
    •    1-page application form.
    •    Multiple divisions for professional, college/university, community, high school age musicians.
Complete information, application forms, biographies of judges and winners: www.theamericanprize.org

Winners of The American Prize receive cash awards, award certificates, and unbiased written evaluations from our national panel of distinguished judges, but more importantly, laureates of The American Prize at all levels of achievement derive local, regional and national recognition to help them generate jobs, build audiences and sustain careers.

In a world where the performing arts are more marginalized than ever before and media coverage harder than ever to get, The American Prize provides its contestants with the visibility and recognition they need to stand out from the rest.

2013 National Competitions for conductors, ensembles, arts administrators:
    •    Orchestras
    •    Choruses
    •    Bands/Wind Ensembles
    •    Opera and Musical Theater companies
    •    Conductors
    •    Orchestral Programming—Vytautas Marijosius Memorial Award
 
Postmark Deadline Monday, March 18, 2013 / extension to April 4th.

*****

EASY:
    •    1-page application form (on website—see "competitions" to download) www.theamericanprize.org
    •    Send bio and photo by email.
    •    Send CD, DVD or VHS tape by mail. All applications are acknowledged upon receipt.

ABOUT YOUR RECORDINGS:
You need not prepare a special recording for The American Prize. A previous recording, whether of a concert made in front of an audience or one created in a recording session without an audience, is perfectly acceptable. Neither the location nor the repertoire of any qualified individual or ensemble limits eligibility, provided the general guidelines have been met. Excellence within categories is the primary criteria for the selection of finalists and winners. The competitions are open to US citizens living in this country or abroad and others studying or working in the U.S. There is no restriction against previous winners re-applying.

WHY THE AMERICAN PRIZE is UNIQUE:
    •    No live competition. Contestants are judged solely through their recorded performances.
    •    No age limits.
    •    Separate categories for professional, college/university, community and high school musicians.
    •    Few repertoire restrictions.
    •    Written evaluations provided to all finalists, runners-up and winners from our distinguished panel of judges.
    •    Published timelines for the announcement of semi-finalists, finalists and winners.
    •    Minimal application fees.
    •    Not for profit organization.

***
Complete information: www.theamericanprize.org

Sing Bruckner's TE DEUM in Chicago—Four $500 contracts

CHICAGO ORATORIO AWARD

Four $500 prizes, one each for soprano, mezzo-soprano (alto), tenor, baritone (bass), will be awarded as performance fees to soloists selected to appear under the baton of Maestro David Katz in concert with the Chicago Bar Association Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, performing Bruckner's Te Deum on May 15, 2013 at St James Episcopal Cathedral, Chicago. (Dress rehearsal Tuesday evening, May 14, 2013, same location.)

This additional opportunity is offered as part of The American Prize in Vocal Performance / Friedrich and Virginia Schorr Memorial Awards national competition and is open to 2013 applicants in the professional and college/university categories, only.

Each winner will receive a $500 all-inclusive fee (no additional housing, travel or per diem), payment to be made on the day of the performance. Although the Chicago Oratorio Award is an additional contest open to all professional and college/university applicants for The American Prize in Vocal Performance, 2013, it is geared primarily to those who live within comfortable travel distance of Chicago and who can make their own housing arrangements.

Complete information, application forms and requirements: http://www.theamericanprize.org/vocalperf.html

Automatic postmark deadline extensions to Monday, February 25, 2013 are available to those email by that date with their intention to apply: theamericanprize@gmail.com

A vocal score to the Bruckner may downloaded here:
http://www.theamericanprize.org/opera.html
(see link, middle of the page)

Questions? theamericanprize@gmail.com

2013 COMPETITIONS: updated deadlines & more

If you're a performing artist or composer, then you have recordings. The American Prize wants to hear them.

The American Prize is unique—the only national, nonprofit competitions in the performing arts based solely on the evaluation of commercial and noncommercial CD and DVD recordings of performing artists. The American Prize has awarded more than $10,000 in prize money since 2010.
    •    No live competition.
    •    No age limits.
    •    Few repertoire restrictions.
    •    1-page application form.
    •    Multiple divisions for professional, college/university, community, high school age musicians.
Complete information, application forms, biographies of judges and winners: www.theamericanprize.org

Winners of The American Prize receive cash awards, award certificates, and unbiased written evaluations from our national panel of distinguished judges, but more importantly, laureates of The American Prize at all levels of achievement derive local, regional and national recognition to help them generate jobs, build audiences and sustain careers.

In a world where the performing arts are more marginalized than ever before and media coverage harder than ever to get, The American Prize provides its contestants with the visibility and recognition they need to stand out from the rest.

2013 National Competitions for Individuals:
    •    Classical Vocalists (opera/operetta, art song)—Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Awards, plus Chicago Oratorio Award (additional opportunity)
    •    Pianists (solo, concerto)
    •    Composers (divisions for orchestral & choral music, new divisions for band and chamber music)

Postmark Deadline Thursday, February 14, 2013
Automatic extensions (until February 25) are available to those who need more time. Simply email the office directly to let us know of your intention to apply: theamericanprize@gmail.com

2013 National Competitions for conductors, ensembles, arts administrators:
    •    Orchestras
    •    Choruses
    •    Bands/Wind Ensembles
    •    Opera and Musical Theater companies
    •    Conductors
    •    Orchestral Programming—Vytautas Marijosius Memorial Award
    •    Arts Administrators

Postmark Deadline Monday, March 18, 2013

*****

EASY:
    •    1-page application form (on website—see "competitions" to download) www.theamericanprize.org
    •    Send bio and photo by email.
    •    Send CD, DVD or VHS tape by mail. All applications are acknowledged upon receipt.

ABOUT YOUR RECORDINGS:
You need not prepare a special recording for The American Prize. A previous recording, whether of a concert made in front of an audience or one created in a recording session without an audience, is perfectly acceptable. Neither the location nor the repertoire of any qualified individual or ensemble limits eligibility, provided the general guidelines have been met. Excellence within categories is the primary criteria for the selection of finalists and winners. The competitions are open to US citizens living in this country or abroad and others studying or working in the U.S. There is no restriction against previous winners re-applying.

WHY THE AMERICAN PRIZE is UNIQUE:
    •    No live competition. Contestants are judged solely through their recorded performances.
    •    No age limits.
    •    Separate categories for professional, college/university, community and high school musicians.
    •    Few repertoire restrictions.
    •    Written evaluations provided to all finalists, runners-up and winners from our distinguished panel of judges.
    •    Published timelines for the announcement of semi-finalists, finalists and winners.
    •    Minimal application fees.
    •    Not for profit organization.
***
Complete information: www.theamericanprize.org
Questions: please email theamericanprize@gmail.com

JEFFREY BIEGEL, renowned pianist, joins TAP judging panel

The American Prize is proud to announce the addition of renowned international pianist and artistic innovator, Jeffrey Biegel, to the judging panel of The American Prize, in the piano division, commencing with our 2013 competitions.

Maestro Biegel's extensive career as solo and collaborative artist, his innovative support of new music and new composers, and especially his creation of a number of highly-regarded commissioning and recording projects, is a model for the new century.

We are delighted to welcome Mr. Biegel to the distinguished panel of judges for The American Prize and look forward to his input, not only as adjudicator, but in helping us to forge an even more meaningful competition for all our applicants.

To read of Jeffrey Beigel's many accomplishments, please scroll down or visit his website: http://www.jeffreybiegel.com/

Maestro Biegel's complete biography and photo will be added to The American Prize website soon.

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Considered one of the great pianists of our time, Jeffrey Biegel has created a multi-faceted career as a pianist, recording artist, composer and arranger. His electrifying technique and mesmerizing touch have received critical acclaim and garner praise worldwide. Known for his standard-setting performances of the standard repertoire, Mr. Biegel's recent performances includes a global webcast with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Leonard Slatkin conducting, in Beethoven's "Choral Fantasy" and William Bolcom's "Prometheus," along with his Eastern Germany debut with Brahms' 'Concerto no. 2 in B-flat Major' with Kimbo Ishii-Eto leading the Magdeburg Symphony Orchestra.

He premiered his adaptation of pop legend Neil Sedaka's 'Manhattan Intermezzo' for piano and orchestra with Orchestra Kentucky, and performed the World Premiere of Ellen Taaffe Zwilich's 'Shadows' for piano and orchestra, with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra leading a commissioning project of eight orchestras. His recent recordings include 'A Steinway Christmas Album' and, 'Bach On A Steinway' for the Steinway label, Leroy Anderson's 'Concerto in C', conducted by Leonard Slatkin with the BBC Concert Orchestra, Ellen Taaffe Zwilich's 'Millennium Fantasy' and 'Peanuts Gallery', a solo cd of Vivaldi's 'Four Seasons' for Naxos, 'Classical Carols' for Koch and the Complete Sonatas by Mozart on the E1 label. His third recording for the Steinway label will be released in early 2013.

In 2010, he performed two world premieres with the Pacific Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Carl St. Clair: Richard Danielpour's 'Mirrors for Piano and Orchestra', and, William Bolcom's 'Prometheus for Piano, Orchestra and Chorus'. Mr. Biegel's 'Hanukah Fantasy' for SATB/piano, is published by the Hal Leonard Corporation, along with Lucas Richman's orchestral arrangement with choir, published by the LeDor Group.

Mr. Biegel has also created Trio21, being joined with violinist Kinga Augustyn and cellist Robert DeMaine. For their inaugural season 2011-12, Trio 21 performed a new work commissioned exclusively for Trio21 by Kenneth Fuchs titled, 'Falling Trio' based on the novel, "Falling Man" by Don DeLillo. They recorded 'Falling Trio' as part of an all-Kenneth Fuchs project to be released in April 2013 on the Naxos label. In November 2012, GPR Records released a recording featuring Trio21 in Glen Roven's musical adaptation of the classic children's book, "Runaway Bunny", with guest narrator, Welsh-born actress Catherine Zeta Jones.

Jeffrey Biegel's career has been marked by bold, creative achievements. In the late 1990's, he initiated the first live internet recitals in New York and Amsterdam, and assembled a consortium of more than 25 orchestras to celebrate the millennium with the premiere of Ellen Taaffe Zwilich's Millennium Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra. In 2006, Mr. Biegel joined 18 co-commissioning orchestras for Lowell Liebermann's Concerto no. 3 for Piano and Orchestra, which was composed exclusively for him. He has played premieres of new works and arrangements with the Boston Pops, New York Pops, the American Symphony Orchestra, the Eastern Music Festival Orchestra, as well as the symphony orchestras of Minnesota, Indianapolis, and Harrisburg, among others.

Born a second-generation American, Mr. Biegel's roots are of Russian and Austrian heritage. Until the age of three, Mr. Biegel could neither hear nor speak, until corrected by surgery. The 'reverse Beethoven' phenomenon can explain Mr. Biegel's life in music, having heard only vibrations in his formative years.