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Rewarding the Risk Takers: ASCAP’s Awards for Adventurous Programming

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) joined the American Symphony Orchestra League and Chorus America in honoring symphony orchestras and choral ensembles, respectively, for their adventurous programming during the 2001 concert season. ASCAP’s Vice President of Concert Music, Frances Richard was on hand at each organization’s recent national conference to present the winners with plaques and cash awards.

The winners are:

John S. Edwards Award for Strongest Commitment to New American Music
American Composers Orchestra
Dennis Russell Davies, Music Director; Robert Beaser, Artistic Director; Steven Sloane, Music Director Designate

Morton Gould Award for Innovative Programming
San Francisco Symphony, Michael Tilson Thomas, Music Director

Leonard Bernstein Award for Educational Programming
San Antonio Symphony, Christopher Wilkins, Music Advisor

Award for American Programming on Foreign Tours
Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Daniel Barenboim, Music Director

Awards for Contemporary Music

Orchestras with Annual Operating Expenses more than $12.5 Million

First Place
Los Angeles Philharmonic, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Music Director

Second Place
Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Daniel Barenboim, Music Director

Third Place
The Philadelphia Orchestra, Wolfgang Sawallisch, Music Director

Orchestras with Annual Operating Expenses $4.5 – $12.5 Million

First Place
The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Andreas Delfs, Music Director

Second Place
The Louisville Orchestra, Uriel Segal, Music Director

Third Place
The Phoenix Symphony, Hermann Michael, Music Director

Orchestras with Annual Operating Expenses $1.5 – $4.5 Million

First Place
Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, Neal Gittleman, Music Director

Second Place
Memphis Symphony Orchestra, David Loebel, Music Director and Conductor

Third Place
California Symphony, Barry Jekowsky, Music Director

Orchestras with Annual Operating Expenses $350,000 – $1.5 Million

First Place
Albany Symphony Orchestra, David Alan Miller, Music Director/Conductor

Second Place
Cleveland Chamber Symphony, Edwin London, Music Director

Third Place
Boston Modern Orchestra Project, Gil Rose, Artistic Director and Conductor

Orchestras with Annual Operating Expenses $350,000 or less

First Place
Camellia Symphony Orchestra, Eugene F. Castillo, Music Director and Conductor

Second Place
Plymouth Symphony Orchestra, Nan Harrison Washburn, Music Director and Conductor

Third Place
Virginia Beach Symphony Orchestra, David S. Kunkel, Music Director and Conductor

Collegiate Orchestras

First Place
Oberlin Contemporary Music Ensemble, Timothy Weiss, Music Director and Conductor

Second Place
LSU Symphony Orchestra, Jindong Cai, Music Director and Conductor

Third Place
Peabody Symphony and Concert Orchestras, Hajime Teri Murai, Director of Orchestral Activities

Youth Orchestras

First Place
Orange County High School of the Arts Chamber Orchestra, Christopher Russell, Music Director

Second Place
Etowah Youth Orchestras, Michael R. Gagliardo, Music Director & Conductor

Third Place
Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies, Paul Jan Zdunek, Artistic Director

Festival Orchestras

First Place
Cabrillo Music Festival, Marin Alsop, Music Director and Principal Conductor

Second Place
Colorado Music Festival Orchestra, Michael Christie, Music Director

Awards to Choruses

For Choruses with Budgets $400,000 and higher
Plymouth Music Series
Philip Brunelle – Artistic Director

For Choruses with Budgets ($90,001-$399,999)
The San Francisco Chamber Singers
Robert Geary – Artistic Director

Honorable Mention: The San Francisco Chamber Singers

For Choruses with Budgets ($90,000 or less)
Opus 7
Loren Ponten – Artistic Director

For Children/Youth Choruses
Syracuse Children’s Chorus
Barbara Tagg – Artistic Director