Finalists: ORCHESTRAS, 2021

The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts, David Volosin Katz, founder and chief judge, is pleased to announce NATIONAL FINALIST orchestras for 2021 in all categories. Congratulations! 

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

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

From Maestro Katz: 

"Why so many finalists?" Different from some other contests, The American Prize is first and foremost about encouraging artists, not about eliminating contestants. Each of the ensembles 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 ensembles and hope the recognition conveyed by finalist status will prove valuable. —DK

The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts is the nation's most comprehensive series of contests in the performing arts, unique in scope and structure. Founded in 2010, contestants hail from all fifty states, representing literally hundreds of communities and arts organizations across the nation.   

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

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. 

Applications from COMPOSERS, CLASSICAL VOCALISTS, PIANISTS, CHAMBER ENSEMBLES and INSTRUMENTAL SOLOISTS will be accepted through the revised deadline of Tuesday, July 20, 2021, with extensions available by email request.

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, with extensions available by email request.

Visit theamericanprize.org for complete contest information.

NATIONAL FINALISTS: The American Prize in Orchestral Performance—professional division, 2021

Orlando Cela  

Lowell Chamber Orchestra

Arlington    MA 

Wes Kenney

Fort Collins Symphony   

Fort Collins CO

Jason Lim   

McKinney Philharmonic Orchestra     

McKinney     TX

  
NATIONAL FINALISTS: The American Prize in Orchestral Performance—college/university division,  2021

(Assuming enough applicants in the categories, the college/university division will be divided in the final round into two: "smaller program" and "larger program." Conductors will be contacted to confirm their placement.—DK)

Adam Bodony

Purdue Philharmonic Orchestra 

West Lafayette     IN  

Thomas Dickey

Oklahoma State University Symphony Orchestra   

Stillwater   OK  

Mark Dupere

Lawrence Symphony Orchestra   

Appleton     WI  

Stephen Heyde 

Baylor Symphony   

Waco   TX 

Germán Gutiérrez

Texas Christian University Symphony Orchestra

Fort Worth   TX

Yunn-Shan Ma    

Rochester Institute of Technology Philharmonic Orchestra    

Rochester    NY    

Kypros Markou

Wayne State University Orchestra   

Detroit.  MI  

Joel Neves 

Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra   

Houghton     MI     

David A. Rahbee

University of Washington Symphony Orchestra    

Seattle.  WA 

Evan Williams    

Rhodes Orchestra  

Memphis.  TN   

NATIONAL FINALISTS: The American Prize in Orchestral Performance—community orchestra division, 2021

Pierre-Alain Chevalier   

Baytown Symphony Orchestra    

Baytown. TX  

Libi Lebel

Texas Medical Center Orchestra 

Houston   TX     

William M. Perrine     

Concordia Community Orchestra 

Ann Arbor    MI  

Thomas E. Rainey 

Williamson County Symphony Orchestra

Round Rock   TX     

Ulli Reiner

Poway Symphonette 

Poway  CA    

David P.  Sartor

Parthenon Chamber Orchestra   

Nashville    TN

Peter Wilson

Waynesboro Symphony     

Waynesboro   VA   

Alan Yost 

Carlisle Chamber Orchestra    

Carlisle     MA

NATIONAL FINALISTS: The American Prize in Orchestral Performance—youth orchestra division, 2021

Wes Kenney   

Denver Young Artists Orchestra

Denver CO 

Christopher Miller 

Tallahassee Youth Orchestra   

Tallahassee  FL

Germán Gutiérrez

Fort Worth Youth Orchestra   

Fort Worth   TX

Michael Webster 

Houston Youth Symphony  

Houston.  TX 



NATIONAL FINALISTS: The American Prize in Orchestral Performance—high school orchestra division, 2021

Jim Kollias     

Beckman HS Chamber Orchestra  

Irvine CA

  

Desiree Overree     

Seven Lakes HS Symphony Orchestra   

Katy   TX  

Ulli Reiner

Bernardo Heights Twin Peaks Orchestra   

Poway  CA     



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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. 

Here is a sample announcement:

"Great News! Our ensemble has 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 the 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 semi-finalists.