Members of Chorus America are eligible to participate in an awards program that honors artistic excellence, artistic growth, creative and adventurous programming, education and outreach, selfless service, and generous philanthropy.
These awards are presented publicly at our annual Conference, not only to honor the recipients in the presence of their friends and colleagues, but also to encourage the entire membership to strive for excellence in every aspect of choral performance. Award winners are also reported annually in the Voice.
Guidelines and application deadlines for each award are published annually on this website, and they are also available from the Chorus America office.
See descriptions and previous winners for:
This award honors the memory of Margaret Hillis, founder of the Chicago Symphony Chorus and its conductor for 37 years, for her more than 40 years of professional achievement and outstanding contributions to the choral art. An engraved plaque and cash award of $5,000 is presented annually to a member ensemble that demonstrates artistic excellence, a strong organizational structure, and a commitment to outreach, education, and/or culturally diverse activities. Eligibility rotates through a three-year cycle: children/youth choruses (2011), professional and professional-core choruses (2012), and adult volunteer choruses (2013). A chorus may win this award only once.
The award winner will be selected by a panel of judges consisting of the Chairman of Chorus America or an appointed delegate, the President of Chorus America or an appointed delegate, a member of the Board of Directors of Chorus America, and a conductor or singer from a Chorus America member chorus, who is not presently serving on the Chorus America Board and whose chorus will not be under consideration for the award.
2011 Application Information
Past Recipients
| 2010 |
Choral Arts (Seattle, WA) |
| 2009 |
Cantus |
| 2008 |
Anima (formerly known as the Glen Ellyn Children's Chorus) |
| 2007 |
National Lutheran Choir |
| 2006 |
Grant Park Chorus |
| 2005 |
Conspirare
The Rose Ensemble
|
| 2004 |
SHALLAWAY-Newfoundland and Labrador Youth in Chorus
(formerly known as Newfoundland Symphony Youth Choir) |
| 2003 |
Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Seattle Pro Musica
|
| 2002 |
Choral Arts Society of Philadelphia |
| 2001 |
Gregg Smith Singers |
| 2000 |
San Francisco Girls Chorus |
| 1999 |
Master Chorale of Washington (formerly known as Paul Hill Chorale)
|
| 1998 |
Vancouver Chamber Choir |
| 1997 |
Detroit Concert Choir |
| 1996 |
VocalEssence (formerly known as Plymouth Music Series)
|
| 1995 |
Chanticleer |
| 1994 |
Susquehanna Chorale |
| 1993 |
Pacific Chorale |
| 1992 |
Dale Warland Singers |
The Chorus America/ASCAP Alice Parker Award honors Alice Parker's career that has spanned almost six decades and has been devoted to the creation of works for the human voice. This award will annually recognize a chorus for programming significant recently composed music that expands the mission of the chorus and challenges the chorus's audience in a new way. The award is designed to recognize choruses that may not typically emphasize or include the performance of new music but have chosen to stretch themselves to present some of this repertoire. (Such choruses might include, but are not limited to, those specializing in early music or Baroque repertoire.) Recipients of this award are eligible to reapply in two years.
Winners of this award receive an engraved plaque and a cash award. All awards are given for the most recently completed concert season. The winners are selected by an anonymous panel of choral composers appointed by Chorus America; these people serve on a rotating basis so that each year's panel represents a fresh mix of choral composers.
2011 Application Information
Past Recipients of Chorus America/ASCAP Alice Parker Award
| 2010 |
WomenSing |
| 2009 |
San Diego Master Chorale |
| 2008 |
Monmouth Civic Chorus |
| 2007 |
Madrigalia |
| 2006 |
Seraphic Fire |
| 2005 |
Pacific Chorale
|
| 2004 |
Bella Voce
|
| 2003 |
Baltimore Choral Arts Society
|
The Chorus America/ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming recognizes choruses that demonstrate a commitment to performances of choral music written in the last 25 years. Awards are given to adult and children's choruses based on the amount of programming of new music they present in the previous season. Recipients of this award are eligible to reapply in two years.
Winners of these awards receive an engraved plaque and a cash award. All awards are given for the most recently completed concert season. The winners are selected by an anonymous panel of choral composers appointed by Chorus America; these people serve on a rotating basis so that each year's panel represents a fresh mix of choral composers.
2011 Application Information
Past Recipients of Chorus America/ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming
| 2010 |
Cantori New York
Los Angeles Master Chorale
Young People's Chorus of New York City
|
| 2009 |
The Crossing
Volti
Piedmont East Bay Children's Chorus
|
| 2008 |
Chanticleer
The Esoterics
Peninsula Girls Chorus
|
| 2007 |
The New York Virtuoso Singers
Volti
Syracuse Children's Chorus |
| 2006 |
The Esoterics
Opus 7
Youth Choral Theater of Chicago |
| 2005 |
VocalEssence
Volti
Young People's Chorus of New York City
|
| 2004 |
Opus 7
San Francisco Girls Chorus
South Bend Chamber Singers
|
| 2003 |
Los Angeles Master Chorale
The Esoterics
Peninsula Women's Chorus
Portland Symphonic Girlchoir |
| 2002 |
VocalEssence
Volti
Opus 7
Syracuse Children's Chorus |
| 2001 |
The Choral Arts Society of Washington
The Esoterics
Los Angeles Chamber Singers and Cappella
Glen Ellyn Children's Chorus
|
| 2000 |
San Francisco Girls Chorus
Kansas City Chorale
Cantori New York
|
| 1999 |
Dale Warland Singers
The Dessoff Choirs
Peninsula Women's Chorus
|
| 1998 |
Indianapolis Children's Choir
Volti
Camerata Singers
|
| 1997 |
VocalEssence
Vocal Arts Ensemble of Cincinnati
Cantori New York
|
| 1996 |
The Dale Warland Singers
The Gregg Smith Singers
Seattle Pro Musica
|
| 1995 |
Los Angeles Master Chorale
Cantata Singers
Volti (formerly known as San Francisco Chamber Singers)
|
| 1994 |
Chanticleer
The New York Virtuoso Singers
VocalEssence
Chautauqua Singers
|
| 1993 |
The Dale Warland Singers
The Vocal Arts Ensemble of Cincinnati
The Cantabile Chamber Chorale
The Fairbanks Choral Society
|
| 1992 |
Gregg Smith Singers
Dale Warland Singers (second place)
New York Concert Singers
The New York Virtuoso Singers (second place)
VocalEssence
Alexandria Choral Society
Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia (second place)
|
Each year, Chorus America's member organizations are invited to submit nominations for outstanding programming in education outreach. Criteria for the Education Outreach Award vary from year to year, as stipulated by Chorus America’s Education Committee, in order to highlight specific aspects of this important field. Winners receive an engraved plaque and a cash award of $2,500.
The award winner will be selected by a panel of judges consisting of the Chairperson of the Chorus America Programs & Education Committee or his/her appointed delegate, a member of the Chorus America Programs & Education Committee, and a member-at-large of Chorus America who is neither a board member nor affiliated with a chorus under consideration for the award. At least one member of the panel will be a professional educator.
2011 Application Information
Past Recipients
| 2010 |
Chanticleer |
| 2009 |
Harmonium Choral Society |
| 2008 |
Los Angeles Master Chorale |
| 2007 |
Phoenix Boys Choir |
| 2006 |
Young People's Chorus of New York City |
| 2005 |
Cantare Con Vivo |
| 2004 |
Colorado Children's Chorale |
| 2003 |
Colorado Vocal Arts Ensemble |
| 2002 |
VocalEssence |
| 2001 |
Singing City |
| 2000 |
Handel and Haydn Society
Los Angeles Master Chorale
Minnesota Chorale
VocalEssence
Vancouver Chamber Choir
|
| 1998 |
Pacific Chorale |
NOTE: Aspects of this award and selection criteria have recently changed to bring greater focus on mid-career leaders of professional choral ensembles, in order to encourage their growth and renew their energies.
This award was established in memory of Louis Botto for his artistry, selfless service to the choral art, and entrepreneurial spirit in founding the men's vocal ensemble Chanticleer and bringing it to national prominence as the first professional choral ensemble in the U.S., outside the military, consistently to offer full-time employment to its singers. The award is given periodically to an individual who through his or her work with a member ensemble of Chorus America has demonstrated innovative action and entrepreneurial zeal in developing a professional or professional-core choral ensemble (in operation for at least 5 years).
The honoree receives an engraved plaque and a framed citation before an audience of fellow professionals and choral devotees during Chorus America's Annual Conference. Coverage of the award in Chorus America's publications brings international attention to the recipient's accomplishments.
The selection committee is comprised of the Chair of the Board of Directors of Chorus America or an alternate designated by the chair, the Chair of the Artistic Services Committee of the Chorus America Board or an alternate designated by that chair, a representative of Chanticleer, and two representatives from professional choral ensembles (fully professional or pro-core) who are not members of Chorus America's Board of Directors. The decision of the selection committee is final.
2011 Selection and Eligibility Criteria
Past Recipients
| 2010 |
Jordan Sramek, The Rose Ensemble |
| 2009 |
Craig Hella Johnson, Conspirare |
| 2008 |
Jonathan Miller, Chicago a cappella |
| 2007 |
Mary Deissler, Handel and Haydn Society |
| 2004 |
Gregg Smith, Gregg Smith Singers |
| 2002 |
Dale Warland, Dale Warland Singers |
| 2000 |
Jon Washburn, Vancouver Chamber Choir |
| 1998 |
Dennis Keene, Voices of Ascension |
Chorus America established this Honorary Citation in 1978 to honor an individual with a lifetime of significant contributions to the professional choral art. Michael Korn, one of the founders of Chorus America and its first President (1977 to 1985), received the citation in 1986. Mr. Korn was artistic director and conductor of The Philadelphia Singers, which he founded in 1972; and also the associate conductor and chorus master of the Opera Company of Philadelphia. In 1991, in response to Mr. Korn's untimely death at the age of 44, this citation was renamed The Michael Korn Founders Award for Development of the Professional Choral Art. It is the prerogative of the officers (chairman, treasurer, secretary, and either the immediate past chairman or the chairman-elect) of the Chorus America board of directors to select the annual recipient. Nominations are solicited from the membership of Chorus America.
No form is needed for these nominations. State in a few paragraphs the person’s qualifications to receive this award. Nominations are preferred via email. Send to: Catherine Davies, Director of Membership Services, by February 28, 2011: catherine@chorusamerica.org.
| Past Recipients |
| 2010 |
Robert L. Simpson |
| 2009 |
Alan Harler |
| 2008 |
John Alexander |
| 2007 |
Joseph Jennings |
| 2006 |
American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) |
| 2005 |
Libby Larsen |
| 2004 |
Mary Lyons
Earl Rivers |
| 2003 |
Philip Brunelle |
| 2002 |
Mary Deissler |
| 2001 |
Marshall A. Rutter |
| 2000 |
Paul Salamunovich |
| 1999 |
Albert McNeil |
| 1998 |
Vance George |
| 1997 |
Richard Westenburg |
| 1996 |
Louis Botto |
| 1995 |
Dale Warland |
| 1994 |
Alice Parker |
| 1993 |
Dominick Argento |
| 1992 |
Paul Hill |
| 1991 |
Margaret Hawkins & R. Murray Schafer |
| 1990 |
Ned Rorem |
| 1989 |
Alfred Mann |
| 1988 |
Doralene Davis |
| 1987 |
Janice Kestler & Robert Page |
| 1986 |
Michael Korn |
| 1985 |
Lukas Foss & Walter Gould |
| 1984 |
Todd Duncan & Gregg Smith |
| 1983 |
Robert Shaw |
| 1982 |
Jester Hairston |
| 1981 |
Roger Wagner |
| 1980 |
Margaret Hillis & Hugh Ross |
| 1979 |
Fred Waring |
| 1978 |
Thomas Pyle |
The Michael Korn Founders Award for Philanthropic Contribution to the Arts is given periodically to an individual, corporation, or foundation whose financial support of Chorus America and the choral art has been especially significant and generous. The recipient is selected by a panel including the chairman of the board, the president & CEO of Chorus America, and two delegates from the board named by the chairman.
| Past Recipients
|
| 2010 |
Mrs. Jean Riddell |
| 2009 |
Hugh Davies and ACFEA Tour Consultants |
| 2008 |
Paul Caldwell |
| 2007 |
Robert and Cynthia Schuneman |
| 2006 |
The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation |
| 2005 |
Michael and Kay McCarthy |
| 2004 |
The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation |
| 2003 |
Lynda Crane |
| 2002 |
Mary Lyons |
| 2001 |
Vern and Elfrieda Heinrichs |
| 2000 |
Peggy and Yale Gordon Charitable Trust |
| 1999 |
Target Stores |
| 1997 |
William J. Gillespie |
| 1995 |
The Helen F. Whitaker Fund |
The Chorus America Philanthropy Award, established in 2002, recognizes an individual, corporation, or foundation whose financial support has been especially significant and generous to the host chorus of Chorus America ’s Annual Conference. The winner is selected by the leaders of the Conference host chorus.
| Past Recipients |
| 2010 |
The Halle Foundation |
| 2009 |
The Presser Foundation |
| 2008 |
Bonfils-Stanton Foundation |
| 2007 |
Jon and Lillian Lovelace |
| 2006 |
The Kiplinger Family
Gilbert and Jaylee Mead |
| 2005 |
Jim and Kay Mabie |
| 2004 |
Arthur J. Kerr, Jr.
Jackman S. Vodrey |
| 2003 |
Commerce Bank, Kansas City |
| 2002 |
Jack and Peggy TerHar, longtime supporters of the Colorado Children's Chorale
|
To honor the life-long commitment of Dale Warland to new music, the American Composers Forum will offer an annual $5,000 cash award at the Chorus America Conference for the commission of a new choral work. The award is made possible by the Dale Warland Singers Fund for New Choral Music, a permanently restricted endowment fund established in 2004 to honor Dale and the Singers. The Dale Warland Singers Commission Award was created in 2008.
All Chorus America members in good standing may apply. Choruses will apply for the award in partnership with a composer of their choice for a specified commission project. The winner will be chosen by a panel of three people: Dale Warland, a choral conductor (to be chosen by Chorus America) and a composer (to be chosen by the American Composers Forum). The new work must be premiered by the chorus within two years of the award.
NEW! Eligibility rotates through a three-year cycle: adult volunteer choruses (2011), children/youth choruses (2012), and professional and professional-core choruses (2013).
2011 Application Information
| Past Recipients |
| 2010 |
Conspirare & Eric Banks |
| 2009 |
Anima & Nico Muhly |
| 2008 |
Chanticleer & Shawn Crouch |
The Chorus America Distinguished Service Award is given by Chorus America to a member whose long-term service to the choral field is judged to have significantly furthered the organization’s mission “to build a dynamic and inclusive choral community so that more people are transformed by the beauty and power of choral singing.” This individual’s contributions may have been made in either a professional or volunteer capacity.
Nominations are accepted from the membership at large and must be accompanied by two letters of recommendation.
The recipient will be selected by a committee of Chorus America officers comprised of the Chair (or Chair’s designate), Treasurer, Secretary, and either the Immediate Past Chair or the Chair-Elect.
2011 Selection and Eligibility Criteria
| Inaugural Recipient |
| 2010 |
H. Royce Saltzman |
