Henry Cowell Award Announced

The first-ever recipients of the inaugural Henry Cowell Award are David Behrman, Kristin Norderval, and Larry Polansky. Presented by the Henry Cowell Estate and the American Music Center, The Cowell Award recognizes composers who exemplify the great American composer Henry Cowell’s spirit of innovation and experimentalism in their work. Each composer receives a grant of $5,000 to help provide freedom to pursue his or her work without restriction. Recipients are only asked to designate a work created during the award period as being “supported in part by the Henry Cowell Estate, administered by the American Music Center.” The award is somewhat unique in that it supports experimental composers working outside of the mainstream classical music establishment.