American Prize Recognized ACB Organization Members

From The American Prize Blog:

"The American Prize is a series of new, non-profit national competitions in the performing arts providing cash awards, professional adjudication and regional, national and international recognition for the best recorded performances by ensembles and individuals each year in the United States at the professional, college/university, church, community and secondary school levels. Administered by Hat City Music Theater, Inc., a nonprofit organization based in Danbury, Connecticut, The American Prize was founded in 2009 and is awarded annually. The competitions of The American Prize are open to all U.S. citizens, whether living in this country or abroad, and to others currently living, working and/or studying in the United States of America, its protectorates and territories."

On Jan 1, 2020 the HONORED ARTISTS of The American Prize, 2019 were announced.

Congratulations to the Allentown Band and Ronald Demkee, music director for being among the 8 artists recognized for 2019. "Honored Artists are individuals (or ensembles) who have proven themselves to be artists of "sustained excellence" over a number of seasons as laureates in the competitions. "

On Friday, September 27, 2019 The winners of The American Prize Ernst Bacon Memorial Award for the Performance of American Music, Community instrumental division, 2018-19 were announced.

3rd Place: Curt Ebersole and the Westchester Symphonic Winds (Tarrytown NY) for Michael Daugherty's "Brooklyn Bridge"
Finalist Honorable Mention: Special Judges’ Citation: Championing the Music of Morton Gould - Ronald Demkee and The Allentown Band (Allentown PA) for music by Morton Gould

On Friday, September 20, 2019 The National Finalists: The American Prize Ernst Bacon Memorial Award for the Performance of American Music, Community Ensemble division, 2018-19 were announced. This award is a special award recognizing the "best performances of American music by ensembles and individual artists worldwide, based on submitted recordings."

Three Member Bands were recognized as Finalists:

Curt Ebersole and the Westchester Symphonic Winds (Tarrytown, NY) for Brooklyn Bridge—Michael Daugherty
Trent A. Hollinger and the Quincy Concert Band (Quincy, IL)for Give Us This Day—David Maslanka
Brian Hughes and the Quad City Wind Ensemble (Davenport, IA( for Willson / Giroux / Moross / Curnow

On September 9, 2019 The American Prize in Conducting—band/wind ensemble (community division), 2018-19 winners were announced. One of our organization members was included.

2nd Place - Curt Ebersole, Westchester Symphonic Winds (Tarrytown NY)

On August 3, 2019 The American Prize in Band / Wind Ensemble Performance, community band division, 2018-19 winners were announced. Our Members swept the category with another receiving an honorable mention.

The American Prize Winner: Westchester Symphonic Winds (Tarrytown NY), conducted by Curt Ebersole
2nd Place - Quincy Concert Band (Quincy IL) conducted by Dr. Trent A. Hollinger
3rd Place - The Allentown Band (Allentown PA), conducted by Ronald Demkee
Finalist Honorable Mention - Quad City Wind Ensemble (Davenport IA) conducted by Brian Hughes

On May 10, 2019 National Finalists for The American Prize in Conducting—community band division, 2018-19 were announced. One of our organization members was included.

Curt Ebersole, Westchester Symphonic Winds (Tarrytown NY)

On May 3, 2019 National Finalists The American Prize in Band/Wind Ensemble Performance—community division, 2018-19 were announced. Several of our members were included.

The Allentown Band (Allentown PA), conducted by Ronald Demkee
Westchester Symphonic Winds (Tarrytown NY), conducted by Curt Ebersole
Quincy Concert Band (Quincy IL) conducted by Dr. Trent A. Hollinger
Quad City Wind Ensemble (Davenport IA) conducted by Brian Hughes
Los Alamos Community Winds (Los Alamos NM) condcuted by Ted Vives

On February 27, 2019 Semi-Finalists for The American Prize in Conducting - college/university orchestra division, 2018-19 were announced. One of our members was included.

Edward Messerschmidt, Marist College Orchestra, (Poughkeepsie, NY)

On January 29, 2019 Semi-Finalists for The American Prize in Conducting—community band division, 2018-19 were announced. One of our organization members was included.

Curt Ebersole, Westchester Symphonic Winds (Tarrytown NY)

On January 28, 2019 Semi-Finalists for The American Prize in Band/Wind Ensemble Performance—community division, 2018-19 were announced. Several of our members were included.