Champion of New Music Award
The Champion of New Music Award was established by American Composers Forum in 2005 as a national mark of recognition to honor individuals and ensembles that have made a significant and sustained contribution to the work and livelihoods of contemporary composers.
From 2005-2018, the annual award was made to individuals and organizations across a broad range of disciplines, including performance, commissioning, education, recording, and funding. Awardees were nominated and selected ACF’s Board of Directors.
The Champion of New Music Award is currently paused. Learn more about our past awardees below.
2018
- Sarah Cahill: pianist, writer, and producer
- Nicole Mitchell: flutist, composer, and educator
- Jim Staley: founder, Roulette Intermedium (Brooklyn, NY)
2017
- Charles Amirkhanian: percussionist, radio producer, and artistic director of Other Minds
- Donald Nally and The Crossing: conductor and professional chamber choir
- International Alliance for Women in Music: advocacy organization
2016
- Gil Kalish: pianist and founding member of Contemporary Chamber Ensemble
- Nicole Paiement: Opera Parallèle’s artistic director, conductor, and founder
- Alex Ross: new music writer, blogger, and New Yorker columnist
- Robert Spano: conductor, pianist, composer, and pedagogue
2015
- American Composers Orchestra: orchestra focused on contemporary American music
- Claire Chase: flutist and director of the International contemporary Ensemble (ICE)
- Michael Morgan: conductor
2014
- Marin Alsop: Music Director of Baltimore Symphony
- Frances Richard: director emeritus of ASCAP Concert Division
- Steven Schick: performer and percussionist
2013
No award made as program was re-evaluated by Board of Directors
2012
- JACK Quartet: string quartet dedicated to contemporary classical music
2011
- eighth blackbird: contemporary music sextet
2010
- Bill Ryan: composer, conductor, educator, producer
2009
- Osmo Vänskä: Music Director of Minnesota Orchestra
2008
- Philip Brunelle: scholar, organist, and founder and conductor of VocalEssence
2007
- Bruce Carlson: Executive Director of The Schubert Club, awarded posthumously
2006
- Dale Warland: founder and conductor of the Dale Warland Singers
2005
- Cindy Gehrig and the Jerome Foundation: in celebration of 25 years of commissioning through the Foundation