CHORUS AMERICA HONORS 2023 AWARD WINNERS

Chorus America’s Awards Program recognizes remarkable individuals and choruses for their meaningful contributions to the choral community. Our 2023 awards were announced in May and recognized during the San Francisco Conference. Visit chorusamerica.org/awards to learn more and view video tributes to 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 strengthen singing communities with the advocacy, connections, and resources they need to be a vital part of society.”

• 2023 Recipient: Roland M. Carter

Margaret Hillis Award For Choral Excellence

This award is given in memory of Margaret Hillis, founder of the Chicago Symphony Chorus, for her more than 40 years of professional achievement and outstanding contributions to the choral art. The award is presented annually to a member chorus that demonstrates artistic excellence, a strong organizational structure, and a commitment to education and community engagement.

• 2023 Recipient: Volti (below)

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.

• 2023 Recipient: Robert Geary

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.

• 2023 Recipient: Marques L. A. Garrett

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. 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.

• 2023 Recipient: Cantori New York (above) and Adolphus Hailstork (inset)

Education And Community Engagement Award

This award is given for outstanding programming in education and community engagement, honoring in-depth and ongoing projects that deeply affect communities.

• 2023 Recipient: SACRA/PROFANA (top)

Alice Parker Fund Award

This award supports the composition and thoughtful presentation of choral music based in the traditions of Black and Latinx communities. This award recognizes the exemplary work of a Black or Latinx composer or an ensemble that respectfully and authentically presents works incorporating these traditions and experiences.

• 2023 Recipient: Cantus (above)

Chorus America Philanthropy Award

This award is given to individuals, corporations, or foundations whose financial support of Chorus America and the choral art has been especially significant and generous.

• 2023 Recipients: John Alexander (left) and Duain Wolfe (right)