2021 Chorus America Award Winners

CHoRUS AMeRiCA HonoRS 2021 AWARD WinneRS

Chorus America’s Awards Program recognizes remarkable individuals and choruses for their meaningful contributions to the choral community. Our 2021 awards were presented at the Awards Celebration and Virtual Gala and Auction during the Summer Conference. Visit youtube.com/chorusamerica to watch the events and view video tributes to many of the award winners.

ChORuS ameRICa DIStInguISheD SeRVICe aWaRD

This award is given by Chorus America to a member whose long-term service to the choral field significantly furthers Chorus America’s mission “to empower singing ensembles to create vibrant communities and effect meaningful change.” •2021 Recipient: Kathy Saltzman Romey mIChaeL KORn FOunDeRS aWaRD FOR DeVeLOpment OF the pROFeSSIOnaL ChORaL aRt

Chorus America established this award in 1978 to recognize an individual with a lifetime of significant contributions to the professional choral art. The award’s name honors Michael Korn, one of the founders of Chorus America and the organization’s first president. •2021 Recipient: Harry Christophers

LOuIS BOttO aWaRD FOR InnOVatIVe aCtIOn anD entRepReneuRIaL ZeaL

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. The award is given periodically to a mid-career choral leader who has demonstrated these characteristics in developing a professional or professional- core choral ensemble. •2021 Recipient: Alexander Lloyd Blake

BRaZeaL Wayne DennaRD aWaRD

This award honors the life and achievements of educator, conductor, and arranger Brazeal Dennard by recognizing individuals or organizations whose work builds upon his commitment to diversity, inclusiveness, and furthering African American and other diverse choral traditions through performance, research, or the creation of new compositions of significance.

•2021 Recipient: André de Quadros DaLe WaRLanD SIngeRS COmmISSIOn aWaRD

Chorus America and the American Composers Forum partner to present this award in honor of Dale Warland’s lifelong commitment to new music as embodied through his work with the Dale Warland Singers. The award is made possible by the Dale Warland Singers Fund for New Choral Music, a permanently restricted endowment fund established in 2004. The winning chorus receives a cash award of $10,000, $7,500 of which supports the commissioning fee and $2,500 of which supports engagement with the project composer, and production and promotion costs to present the project.

•2021 Recipient: Chicago Children’s Choir and W. Mitchell Owens, III, composer mIChaeL KORn FOunDeRS aWaRD FOR phILanthROpIC COntRIButIOn tO the aRtS

This award is given to an individual, corporation, or foundation whose financial support of Chorus America and the choral art has been especially significant and generous. •2021 Recipient: Mark and Ginny Lawson, ECS Publishing Group

ChORuS ameRICa phILanthROpy aWaRD

This award recognizes an individual, corporation, or foundation whose financial support has been especially significant and generous to the host of Chorus America’s annual Conference. The winner is selected by leaders of the Conference host. •2021 Recipient: Dr. Bill Halverson

Awards Program Adjustments for 2021

With significant changes to performance and operations because of COVID-19, Chorus America adjusted its Awards Program for 2021. Some awards with criteria that are difficult to adjudicate under current circumstances were put on hold, with plans to resume in 2022. Learn more at chorusamerica.org/awards.