Distinguished Composer Award Presented to Craig Phillips AGO/ECS Publishing Award in Choral Composition Presented to Alan Smith AGO/Marilyn Mason Award in Organ Composition Presented to Nicholas O’Neill |
July 18, 2012 NEW YORK CITY — The American Guild of Organists (AGO) honored three award winning composers at its Annual Meeting on Wednesday, July 4, during the AGO National Convention in Nashville, Tenn. AGO President Eileen Guenther presided over the award presentations to Craig Phillips of West Hollywood, Calif.; and to Nicholas O’Neill and Alan Smith, both of Great Britain. The 2012 Distinguished Composer Award was presented to Craig Phillips. The prestigious award, created in 1986, is presented biennially to recognize outstanding composers of organ and choral music in the United States. Previous award recipients include: Virgil Thomson, Ned Rorem, Daniel Pinkham, Samuel Adler, Dominick Argento, William Albright, Conrad Susa, Emma Lou Diemer, Dan Locklair, William Bolcom, Alice Parker, Carl Schalk, Margaret Sandresky, Richard Proulx, and Stephen Paulus. The 2012 AGO/ECS Publishing Award in Choral Composition was presented to Alan Smith for his anthem, There Is a Flow’r, based upon a 15th-century text by John Audelay. The award included a cash prize of $2,000 and publication, both provided by the ECS Publishing Co., and a performance at the 2012 AGO National Convention in Nashville. Mr. Smith is the first British citizen ever to receive the award. The 2012 AGO/Marilyn Mason Award in Organ Composition was presented to Nicholas O’Neill for his Festive Voluntary. The award included a cash prize of $2,000 provided by Marilyn Mason, publication by Hinshaw Music Inc., and a performance at the 2012 AGO National Convention. Mr. O’Neill is the first British citizen ever to receive the award. Additional information, including biographies of the prize winners as well as official rules and applications for the 2014 composition competitions can be found on the AGO Web site, www.agohq.org. The AMERICAN GUILD OF ORGANISTS is the national professional association serving the organ and choral music fields. Founded in 1896 as both an educational and service organization, it sets and maintains high musical standards and promotes the understanding and appreciation of all aspects of organ and choral music. The mission of the AGO is to enrich lives through organ and choral music. The Guild currently serves approximately 19,000 members in more than 300 local chapters throughout the United States and abroad. The American Organist Magazine, the official journal of the AGO and the Associated Pipe Organ Builders of America, reaches an audience of more than 20,000 readers each month. This information is submitted by F. Anthony Thurman, Director of Development and Communications at the National Headquarters of the American Guild of Organists and The American Organist Magazine. For further information, please contact Dr. Thurman by TEL (212) 870-2310, FAX (212) 870-2163 or E-MAIL fathurman@agohq.org. |
