Finalists: COMPOSERS (choral music—major choral works and student division), 2021

The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts, David Volosin Katz, founder and chief judge, is pleased to announce FINALIST composers of choral music for 2021. 

Today, MAJOR choral works (professional) and STUDENT choral works. SHORTER choral works finalists will be announced tomorrow at 4pm. Congratulations!

To know the exact date when winners and runners-up will be announced, please "like" our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter #AmericanPrize, where that information will be published first. 

"Why so many finalists?" Different from some other contests, The American Prize is first and foremost about encouraging artists, not about eliminating contestants. Are each of the works below equal in terms of quality or interest? Of course not. But each of the individuals below was judged to be worthy of further consideration as we move towards selecting winners and runners-up in the various divisions. At the end of the contest year each will receive a written evaluation. Especially during this most difficult time for the performing arts everywhere, we welcome these works and hope the recognition conveyed by finalist status will prove valuable, both personally and professionally. Thanks to all these individuals for their creativity. —DK

If you are not a finalist this year, please remember that the contests are not yet over. The American Prize reserves the right to award Honorable Mentions and Citations for Special Achievement to any contestant, regardless of final placement. TAP has honored a number of semi-finalists and quarter finalists in the past--to recognize a unique talent or focus, unusual repertoire, vital programming or outreach. Citations and Honorable Mentions are usually awarded at the same time as winners and runners-up, but can be presented at any time up to the last winners' announcement of the contest year.

COVID EXTENSIONS to APPLY for 2022: Because of the current national and international situation, many rules have been changed and requirements eased to make it easier to apply for The American Prize, 2022. In addition, application deadlines have been extended with further extensions available by email request. 

We will accept applications from COMPOSERS, CLASSICAL VOCALISTS, PIANISTS, CHAMBER ENSEMBLES and INSTRUMENTAL SOLOISTS will be accepted until Tuesday, June 22, 2021. 

Applications from CONDUCTORS, STAGE DIRECTORS, CONDUCTED ENSEMBLES, ARTS ADMINISTRATORS (arts marketing, arts education) in the performance of American Music (BACON AWARD) and in the new category of VIRTUAL PERFORMANCE will be accepted until Tuesday, July 20, 2021. Visit theamericanprize.org for complete contest information.

All contestants are reminded they are responsible for the viability of their online links to audition materials. Those links must remain active until the end of the contest year. Questions, or to make us aware of any misprints in the listings below, please email: theamericanprize@gmail.com 

We invite finalists to make the most of their selection by announcing it on social media, and including a link to this announcement on their website or blog. A sample announcement may be found at the end of the post.


NATIONAL FINALISTS: The American Prize in Composition—MAJOR Choral Works (professional division), 2021 (SHORTER choral work finalists will be announced tomorrow at 4pm.)

Paul A. Aitken     

Boise     ID 

And None Shall Be Afraid 

Brian Bloye

Chicago   IL 

Lully, Lullay: A Nativity Cantata     

Marc-Andre Bougie     

Texarkana AR 

Requiem 

Michael Bussewitz-Quarm  

Sound Beach     NY 

The Unarmed Child       

Ed Frazier Davis

Kansas City     MO 

Through the Wildernesses of Worlds     

  

Daniel B. Elder

Nashville TN 

Absalom 

Collin Heade

Portland  OR 

An Abandoned Lighthouse   

Michael D. McClish    

Los Angeles     CA 

Magnificat      

John Muehleisen 

Mukilteo  WA 

Eternity Passing Over—An Arctic Requiem   

Dave Ragland

Nashville TN

Black Sonnet: Suite for Chamber Chorus and String Quartet 

 

Jasper Randall    

Van Nuys  CA 

Requiem 

Scott Rieker     

Cumberland MD 

Ted Kooser Suite      

 

Paul John Rudoi

Saint Paul MN 

SONG OF SKY AND SEA: A Song of Realization 

Carlyle Sharpe    

Springfield     MO 

Of These Years I Sing

Benedict Sheehan    

Waymart   PA 

Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom  

Stephen Yarbrough  

Vermillion SD 

Everlasting is His Love 

 


NATIONAL FINALISTS: The American Prize in Composition—Choral (student division), 2021

Jacob Beranek    

Oconomowoc WI 

Abendgebet; Trisagion

Anuj Bhutani    

Houston   TX 

The "Moments" Cycle: Moments; Yar Little Voice; Oaks and Roses

Jack Herscowitz 

Cabin JohnMD 

Voz del Pueblo, Voz del Cielo     

Carol Koffinke   

Pembroke  MA 

Journey to God  

Evgeniya (Jane) Kozhevnikova     

Kalamazoo MI 

Remember  

Joogwang Lim  

Brighton  MA 

Musika    

Mikeila McQueston  

Peachtree City  GA 

Descent   

Mitchell Piantanida 

Mission Viejo   CA 

Beyond the Wandering Moon   

Khoa Kim Sands

Oakland   CA 

The Life of Love

Kristian Schembri   

Newark    DE 

Regina Coeli    

Sarah Shapiro    

Wilmette  IL 

Lux Aeterna; The Years

Ethan Soledad    

Miramar   FL 

Music and Poetry

Nicholas Emanuel Wheeler    

Stone Mountain  GA 

Star Spangled Banner  

 

Adrian Wong 

Hong Kong 

War of the Red Cliff    

 


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We encourage finalists to make the most of their selection by announcing it on social media, and including a link to this announcement on their website or blog. 

Here is a sample announcement:

"Great News! I've just been selected as a finalist in the (blank) division of The American Prize national non-profit competitions in the performing arts. Here's the link: (copy link here). The American Prize will be announcing winners in my division soon. You can learn more about this prestigious national competition here: www.theamericanprize.org or follow the news on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-American-Prize-celebrating-American-excellence-in-the-arts/214320622728 or Twitter: https://twitter.com/americanprize "

Please feel free to modify or expand this announcement to suit your needs.

Congratulations to all finalists.