Excellence in music education is not confined to the classroom or to the applied music studio. Conductors, whether leading school ensembles, community or professional organizations, have a major role in education, not only of the performers they lead with such diligence, but also of audiences of all ages, of boards, donors, media, parents, and the community at large.

Everyone who comes in contact with an ensemble and its musical leadership benefits from the teaching and learning the conductor directs. As we witness more school music programs in peril, as the study of (and the knowledge of) music becomes more of an afterthought, the conductor assumes a greater role than ever before in bringing the value of this great art to the attention of American society.

This year, The American Prize is pleased to recognize seven conductors, (four in choral music) whose work on the podium is an exemplar of the conductor's vital role in music education. Winning Citations for Excellence in Music Education in The American Prize in Conducting, 2010 (choral division) are:

Christine Noel—Rhode Island Children's Chorus Chamber Choir, Harrisville, RI (youth chorus division)
Kathleen McGuire—San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus, San Francisco, CA (community chorus division)
Jeremy Faust—International Orange Chorale, San Francisco, CA (community chorus division)
James Reddan—Re-choired Element Chamber Choir, Albany, OR (college/university chorus division)

 

The announcement of prizes, runners-up and special citations for the spring 2010 competitions of The American Prize is now complete. The full list of winners is available on this blog and will soon be featured on our website.

If you have any questions about these or future competitions of The American Prize, or if you wish to be considered as a judge for future seasons, please email us at theamericanprize@gmail.com or theamericanprz@aol.com.

 

David Katz, chief judge

The American Prize

www.theamericanprize.org

www.theamericanprize.blogspot.com