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The American Prize in Orchestral Performance, 2011
The American Prize in Orchestral Performance recognizes and rewards the best performances by orchestras in America in 2011, based on submitted applications.
Winning orchestras receive cash prizes and award certificates. Finalists receive certificates and written evaluations. Semi-finalists receive certificates. Finalists and winners are announced to local and national arts media and on our website, where winners are also profiled.
DOWNLOAD APPLICATION HERE (PDF)
POSTMARK DEADLINE for application(s): March 15, 2011.
OVERVIEW:
The American Prize in Orchestral Performance is offered in five categories, based on the membership in the ensemble. Applications on behalf of orchestras may be made by the conductor of the ensemble, its board members or other orchestra leaders, such as faculty or administrators, by the musicians themselves, or, in the case of student ensembles, by parents. Only one application per ensemble per year may be submitted. Conductors may apply separately for conducting awards (see Conducting Prizes).
The five categories are:
1. professional orchestra (all musicians are paid)
2. community or faith-based orchestra (some musicians may be paid/some may be students)
3. college/university orchestra (mostly students/no paid players/faculty participation ok)
4. secondary school orchestra (strings or full ensemble)
5. youth orchestra (musicians from more than one secondary or high school)
The American Prize defines an “orchestra” to be (at minimum) a conducted ensemble of at least 9 instrumentalists which includes among its members bowed stringed instruments. (This definition is purposely broad to allow the largest number of potential contestants to be eligible. We seek to welcome the greatest variety of musical ensembles found in schools, churches and communities throughout the country.)
Orchestral ensembles performing works with chorus should be entered in the Choral Performance competition.
APPLICATION:
There is a single application form for The American Prize in Orchestral Performance. On it, select the category which best identifies the ensemble.
1. Send the completed application form by the deadline date.
2. Include two identical recordings of the orchestra in performance, with the conductor, ensemble and selections clearly indicated.
3. Be sure to sign the form and include the application fee.
4. Be sure to also email the required information.
The application fee is $65 per ensemble. Make checks payable to HCMT/The American Prize. Application fees are nonrefundable. No incomplete applications will be accepted.
REQUIREMENTS for the RECORDING:
The American Prize in Orchestral Performance: not less than thirty minutes of music, selected from a recent performance or performances. No concertos. You need not prepare a special tape 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 size, make-up, location or repertoire of any qualified organization limits its eligibility. Excellence within categories is the primary criteria for the selection of finalists and winners. Performers and works must be clearly identified on the disc, cover or video box. There are no other restrictions. We accept CD, DVD or VHS recordings only. No cassette tapes or other electronic media. The judging panel will listen from the beginning of the recording unless you specify otherwise. No materials will be returned.
When applying in both the ensemble prize and the conducting prize, please note that the requirements for the recording in the conducting category are different from those listed above. (See Conducting Prizes.)
TIMELINE for this competition:
1. Deadline for postmark of applications: March 15, 2011. The application will be acknowledged by email upon receipt.
2. Announcement of semi-finalists: week of April 10, 2011
3. Announcement of finalists: week of May 15, 2011
4. Announcement of winners begins: week of June 19, 2011