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 annual awards listed below include:

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

College / Alumni Awards and 2007 Recipients

Manny Albam Prize
This award, established by his wife and friends, honors an esteemed Manhattan School of Music faculty member and gifted jazz composer. The award is given to a graduating student who has demonstrated outstanding ability, accomplishment, and promise in jazz composition.
2007 Recipient: (none)

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.
2007 Recipient: Martin Labazevitch

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.
2007 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.
2007 Recipient: Sarpouhi Sampad Pantikian

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.
2007 Recipient: Weicong Zhang / Penny Johnson

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.
2007 Recipient: Jessica Christine Howard

Hugo Kortschak Award
Given for outstanding achievement in chamber music.
2007 Recipient: Tom Ze’ev Jacob Palny

Kraeuter Musical Foundation Award
Given to a student who has excelled in ensemble work.
2007 Recipient: Alexander Seth Chaleff

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.
2007 Recipient: Katherine M. Meloan

Roy M. Rubinstein Award
Given to a young woman who demonstrates exceptional promise in piano performance.
2007 Recipient: Karina Ioana Sabac

Andres Segovia/Rose Augustine Award
The Andres Segovia Award was endowed by Mrs. Augustine—herself a holder of an honorary doctorate from Manhattan School of Music—to honor her friend, colleague, and one of the great artists of the 20th century: Andres Segovia. Awarded to a graduate from the guitar department.
2007 Recipient: Pablo Sáinz Villegas

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.
2007 Recipient: Daniel Alexander Andai

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.
2007 Recipient: Evan Joseph Geiger

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.
2007 Recipient: Philip Jason Dizack

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.
2007 Recipient: Jie Wang

Stephen Maxym Award
Honors the memory of Stephen Maxym, the principal bassoonist of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra from 1939 to 1976. He was a member of the Manhattan School of Music faculty from 1958 to 1989; at various times he served as Chair of the Woodwind Department and President of the School’s Faculty Council. The winner of this award represents the character and artistry of this much beloved faculty member.
2007 Recipient: Adam Andras Havrilla

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.
2007 Recipient: Andrew Joseph Soucy III

Hugh Ross Award
Given annually to a singer of unusual promise.
2007 Recipient: Jessica Lynn Klein

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.
2007 Recipient: Jisuk Karen Yim

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.
2007 Recipient: Norman Paul Edwards Jr.

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.
2007 Recipient: Joshua Paris

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