Five Honored with AMC’s Letter of Distinction; Adams Welcomes Pres.-Elect John Kennedy

The American Music Center will honor the accomplishments of five American leaders in contemporary music during the Center’s 37th Award Ceremony on May 6. Letters of Distinction will be presented to Henry Cowell (in memoriam), Phyllis Curtin, Sylvia Goldstein (in memoriam), Ursula Oppens, and John Schaefer.

	Phyllis Curtin— “I always thought that it was immoral to make a living off the music of dead composers. If you care about music, you’ve got to get it off the paper for composers of your own time.” Go to interview
	Ursula Oppens— “I have to say that being involved in new music is what made it possible for me to be a musician.” Go to interview
	John Schaefer— “For it to really work, classical music needs to be seen as part of the bigger context of music – part of the music that is in turn part of our lives. That’s why new music, which has an immediacy, can be so important in bringing classical music out of that dark corner.” Go to interview
In memorium:
Sylvia Goldstein	Henry Cowell

AMC award recipients are selected for their substantial contributions to advancing the field of contemporary American music. Awarded annually for the past 38 years, the 2002 awardees join a celebrated group of fellow composers, musicians, and organizations who have received this honor including Philip Glass, Elliott Carter, Yo-Yo Ma, Ornette Coleman, Leonard Bernstein, John Cage, Dizzy Gillespie, George Balanchine, Leo Ornstein, Milton Babbitt, Pauline Oliveros, Michael Tilson Thomas, Bette Snapp, the Kronos Quartet, Bang On A Can, and the American Composers Orchestra.

Outgoing AMC Board President John Luther Adams will also welcome President Elect John W. Kennedy. Kennedy assumes leadership on July 1, joining a distinguished list of artists who have led the AMC board through the past 63 years. “It’s been a great honor for me to serve as President of the American Music Center,” Adams noted. “The AMC not only serves American music, it empowers American musicians.”

Adams also spoke confidently about the Center’s future and Kennedy’s abilities to take the organization forward. “I have known John for many years, as a composer, performer, producer, educator, and a good friend. John is a true musical citizen and I’m confident that he will be an extraordinary leader for the AMC and the new music community we serve.”

Moreover, he praised AMC’s rapid growth over the past few years–a trajectory he expects to continue. “We’ve become much stronger as an institution. We’ve established our first endowment, and we’ve built a Board of Directors with a tremendous capacity to serve this organization. At the same time, through NewMusicBox, our Professional Development Workshops, and other new programs we’ve renewed and expanded our commitment to serve the art and the community of new American music.

“I’m very excited about the future of the AMC. Under the leadership of John Kennedy and Richard Kessler, our outstanding professional staff and our dedicated board of directors, this organization will continue to deepen its vision and expand its service to our members and to the art of new American music.”