Each year at our commencement ceremonies in May, a select group of students receive special awards for their character, talent, and participation. Many of these awards were established by friends and alumni to honor the memory of important figures in the history of Manhattan School of Music.

The School periodically recognizes outstanding accomplishment among its alumni through the awarding of Distinguished Alumni Awards.

Commencement Awards

The annual awards include (click on link to see description of award and last recipient):

Manny Albam Prize
Harold Bauer Award
William H. Borden Award
Pablo Casals Award
Helen Cohn Awards
Richard F. Gold Career Grant
Hugo Kortschak Award
Kraeuter Musical Foundation Award
Bronson Ragan Award
Roy M. Rubinstein Award
Andres Segovia/Rose Augustine Award
Raphael Bronstein Award
John Clark Award
Cecil Collins Award
Nicolas Flagello Award
Stephen Maxym Award
Homer Mensch Award
Hugh Ross Award
Janet D. Schenck Award
Josephine C. Whitford Award
Outreach Commencement Award

Distinguished Alumni Awards

2008 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients:

	TEACHING AND EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION Richard Adams ’61 Retired MSM Vice President/ Dean of Faculty READ MORE
	JAZZ Clement De Rosa ’55 Jazz Educator, Bandleader and Founder of IAJE  READ MORE
	PHILANTHROPY SungEun Han-Andersen ’89 Donor, G. Chris and SungEun Andersen Hall  READ MORE
	COMPOSITION Aaron Jay Kernis ’81 Pulitzer Prize-winner  READ MORE
	CLASSICAL PERFORMANCE George Manahan ’76 Music Director, New York City Opera  READ MORE
	OUTSTANDING YOUNG ALUMNUS/A Jane Monheit ’99 Jazz Vocalist   READ MORE

2009 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients:

	Joe Wilder ’53 Jazz performer and educator READ MORE
	Capt. Kenneth Force ’64 / ’65 / ’70 Director of Music, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy READ MORE
	Elliot Goldenthal ’77 / ’79 Grammy- and Academy Award-winning composer READ MORE
	OUTSTANDING YOUNG ALUMNA Laquita Mitchell ’01 / ’02 Soprano  READ MORE

• To read about the 2009 Distinguished Alumni Awards presentation, held in conjunction with the Alumni Reunion, click here.

Previous Distinguished Alumni Awards were given to Gunther Schuller (Composer, Educator, and Conductor) in 1985 and
Dr. Walter Turnbull (founder of the Boys Choir of Harlem) in 1990.

College / Alumni Awards and 2009 Recipients

Each year at our commencement ceremonies in May, a select group of students receive special awards for their character, talent, and participation. Many of these awards were established by friends and alumni to honor the memory of important figures in the history of Manhattan School of Music.

Harold Bauer Award
Established by Janet D. Schenck, founder of Manhattan School of Music, to honor her teacher, pianist Harold Bauer, who was instrumental in the development of the School. This award is given to a graduating student in recognition of outstanding accomplishment, cooperation, and promise.
2009 Recipient: Jorell M. Williams

William H. Borden Award
Given in memory of Mr. Borden, who was a trustee of Manhattan School of Music for thirty years, ten of which he served as chairman of the board. His greatest affinity was for jazz, and therefore this award is given for outstanding accomplishment in that discipline.
2009 Recipient: Samuel Berardino Ryder

Pablo Casals Award
Created in honor of Maestro Casals, who served as an early member of the Advisory Board of Manhattan School of Music. The award is given for musical accomplishment
and human endeavor.
2009 Recipient: Hoang Minh Pham

Helen Cohn Awards
Created by the friends of Mrs. Cohn to honor her memory and her devotion to the piano. There are two awards—the first is given to a pianist who has done outstanding work in chamber music, and the second is given to an outstanding graduate of the doctor of musical arts degree program.
2009 Recipient: Surry Lee / Kathleen Celia Tagg

Richard F. Gold Career Grant
Given by the Shoshana Foundation to recognize a graduating student who demonstrates exceptional promise for a career on the operatic stage.
2009 Recipient: J’nai Marie Lewis Bridges

Hugo Kortschak Award
Given for outstanding achievement in chamber music.
2009 Recipient: John P. Popham

Kraeuter Musical Foundation Award
Given to a student who has excelled in ensemble work.
2009 Recipient: Jesus Reina-Gomez

Bronson Ragan Award
Honors the memory of a former Manhattan School of Music faculty member who taught both organ and theory. The award goes to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding ability in organ performance.
2009 Recipient: Andrew Hamilton Yeargin

Roy M. Rubinstein Award
Given to a young woman who demonstrates exceptional promise in piano performance.
2009 Recipient: Sun Jee Song

Raphael Bronstein Award
Established by friends to honor the memory of this beloved faculty member, this award is given to an outstanding violinist who demonstrates great promise as a performer, and in whom can also be seen a dedication to carrying on the pedagogical devotion so exemplified by Professor Bronstein.
2009 Recipient: Bela Horvath

John Clark Award
Given for excellence in brass performance. John Clark was an alumnus of Manhattan School of Music and a faculty member for over forty years. This award was established in his memory through gifts from his family and friends.
2009 Recipient: Anna Elizabeth Lindvall

Cecil Collins Award
Created by Manhattan School of Music alumni to honor the memory of Mr. Collins, a former faculty member and chairman of the brass department, for excellence in brass performance.
2009 Recipient: David Carlos Sullivan

Nicolas Flagello Award
Given annually to a student for outstanding achievement as a composer. Established by family, friends, and colleagues to honor the memory of Mr. Flagello, a former faculty member and esteemed composer.
2009 Recipient: Matthew T. Hough

Homer Mensch Award
Celebrates the life of a remarkable gentleman, an exceptional musician and a devoted teacher. He touched our hearts and will always serve as an inspiration to all. Given to a double bass student who exemplifies the spirit of Homer Mensch.
2009 Recipient: Lea Ivanovi´c

Hugh Ross Award
Given annually to a singer of unusual promise.
2009 Recipient: Jaclyn N. Bermudez

Janet D. Schenck Award
Honors the woman who, in 1917, founded the Neighborhood Music School. Through the years, that School grew to become Manhattan School of Music, one of the largest and most prestigious private conservatories in the United States. This award, bestowed in Mrs. Schenck’s memory, is in recognition of distinguished contribution to the life of the School.
2009 Recipient: Anna Christina Lawrence

Josephine C. Whitford Award
Honors Mrs. Whitford, who was for many years a dean of Manhattan School of Music, and is given to a student whose exceptional personal qualities have contributed significantly to the enrichment of the spirit of the School.
2009 Recipient: Jillian Ava Zack

Outreach Commencement Award
The recipient of this award has demonstrated outstanding leadership, an exemplary humanitarian spirit, and comprehensive involvement in the Manhattan School of Music outreach programs.
2009 Recipient: Andrew Kozar

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