The ASCAP Foundation: Awards & Recognitions

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

The ASCAP Foundation provides Awards to emerging composers and songwriters and Recognition to honor the achievements of established composers and songwriters.

THE ASCAP FOUNDATION YOUNG JAZZ COMPOSER AWARDS
SPONSORED BY THE GIBSON FOUNDATION

The ASCAP Foundation Young Jazz Composer Awards are granted annually to encourage talented young jazz composers.

Click Here for details on eligibility and to download an application. Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States who have not reached their 30th birthday by December 31st 2009. Applicants must submit a completed application form*; the notated score of one composition; biographical information listing prior music studies, background and experience. Applicants must also submit a CD or cassette of the composition. This program was initiated in 2002 with support from the Joseph and Rosalie Meyer Fund and is also supported by the Gibson Foundation. -->

Deadline: December 1 each year

*Application materials are in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format.

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THE ASCAP FOUNDATION MORTON GOULD YOUNG COMPOSER AWARDS

Open to composers in all musical genres, The ASCAP Foundation Morton Gould Young Composer Awards encourage developing music creators during the earliest stages of their careers. This program selects several young composers recipients each year to receive the cash awards. It is named in memory of eminent composer and conductor Morton Gould who was ASCAP's President from 1986 to 1994, as well as The ASCAP Foundation's President. He was also the recipient of the Pulitzer Prize and had a lifelong commitment to nurturing young creators. Established in 1979, this program is funded through the Jack and Amy Norworth Memorial Fund and by The Morton Gould Fund. Jack Norworth wrote such standards as "Shine On Harvest Moon" and "Take Me Out to the Ball Game." Awards for the youngest recipients from K-12th grade are funded through a bequest from John DeVries, writer of "Oh Look at Me Now" and The ASCAP Foundation Charlotte V. Bergen Scholarship made possible by The Frank & Lydia Bergen Foundation for a composer 18 years of age or younger.

Each year the top award winner receives an additional cash prize, The ASCAP Foundation Leo Kaplan Award, named in memory of the distinguished jurist and music lover who served from 1967-1995 as ASCAP's Special Distribution Advisor. This award is funded through gifts from the Kaplan family.

Those wishing to apply must be composers who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States or enrolled students with student visas, who have not reached their 30th birthday by January 1, 2010. A panel of ASCAP composers selects the winners. Each applicant must submit a completed application form* -- due by March 1st 2010, one reproduction of an original score, biographical and educational information, and a list of compositions to date.

Deadline: All materials must be postmarked no later than March 1st each year

*Application materials are in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat reader installed on your computer, you may download Adobe Acrobat Reader for free (all versions are available through this link).

For information or an application write to:

Frances Richard, c/o ASCAP
One Lincoln Plaza
New York, NY 10023
Email: concertmusic@ascap.com

*Application materials are in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format.

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THE ASCAP FOUNDATION RUDOLF NISSIM PRIZE

This $5000 cash prize is presented annually to an ASCAP concert composer for a work requiring a conductor that has not been performed professionally. A jury of conductors selects the winning score. Dr. Rudolf Nissim, former head of ASCAP's Foreign Department and a devoted friend of contemporary composers, established this annual prize through a bequest. Support for the world premiere of the selected work will be provided. Previous recipients are ineligible.

ASCAP members wishing to participate must submit a completed application form* and the score of one published or unpublished concert work requiring a conductor scored full orchestra, chamber orchestra, or large wind/brass ensemble (with or without soloists and/or chorus) not previously performed professionally. A work with a performance history will be eligible if earlier performances were, in the judgment of the Committee, clearly non-professional. For this exception to be granted, information regarding previous performances (including programs and announcements) must be submitted with the score, in a separate envelope. Works which set a text protected by copyright must include permission of the author or the author's representative.

For more details and submission deadlines click here.

For information or an application write to:

Frances Richard, c/o ASCAP
One Lincoln Plaza
New York, NY 10023
Email: concertmusic@ascap.com

*Application materials are in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format.

• View Past Recipients

Sammy Cahn

THE SAMMY CAHN AWARD

This award was created to commemorate the life and career of the late lyricist and ASCAP Board Member, Sammy Cahn. Supported by a grant from Tita Cahn, the cash award is given each year to a promising lyricist from The ASCAP Foundation Songwriter Workshop Series who is selected by a distinguished group of songwriters. Sammy Cahn's many hit songs include "High Hopes," "Call Me Irresponsible," and "My Kind of Town."

No applications accepted. By nomination only.

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THE ASCAP FOUNDATION LIFE IN MUSIC AWARD

In continuing the ASCAP Foundation tradition of recognizing the efforts of music creators who have made a significant contribution to our nation's culture, The ASCAP Foundation Life in Music Award is presented to a writer member from a wide variety of musical genres. This award is supported by funding from a bequest under the will of Rosalie Meyer, the widow of Joseph Meyer.

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Harold Adamson

THE ASCAP FOUNDATION HAROLD ADAMSON LYRIC AWARD

This award, named in honor of the lyrist Harold Adamson writer of "Time on My Hands' and "An Affair to Remember" is presented annually to aspiring lyricists who participate in an ASCAP or ASCAP Foundation workshop in the musical theater, pop and/or country genres. Recipients must demonstrate talent and an intelligent and sensitive use of language, a talent and ability that the heirs of the late lyricist Harold Adamson, seek to recognize and foster in future generations. This award is funded by Harold Adamson's royalties.

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Jamie deRoy

ASCAP FOUNDATION JAMIE DEROY & FRIENDS AWARD

This award is presented to an ASCAP songwriter (either composer, lyricist or team of writers) whose work has been of a high and consistent level of professionalism but who has yet to receive national recognition. The ASCAP Foundation Jamie deRoy & friends Award recognizes outstanding work, dedication and craftsmanship. This award is funded by the Jamie deRoy Charitable Trust.

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THE ASCAP FOUNDATION CHAMPION AWARD

The ASCAP Foundation Champion Award is presented to an ASCAP member who is "making a difference" through social action on behalf of worthwhile causes or who has demonstrated exceptional efforts in humanitarianism.

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Richard Rodgers

The two awards listed below honor ASCAP member and legendary composer Richard Rodgers. One of America's greatest musical theater composers, Mr. Rodgers, together with his main collaborators, Lorenz Hart and Oscar Hammerstein II, wrote such Broadway classics as Pal Joey, Oklahoma!, Carousel, The King and I and The Sound of Music.

THE ASCAP FOUNDATION RICHARD RODGERS AWARD

This annual award, established by Dorothy Rodgers, widow of Richard, recognizes a veteran composer or lyricist of musical theater for a lifetime of achievement in this great American art form.

No applications accepted. By nomination only.

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THE ASCAP FOUNDATION RICHARD RODGERS NEW HORIZONS AWARD

This annual award, conceived of by Mary Rodgers, daughter of Richard Rodgers, was established by Mary to encourage promising young composers of musical theater and is funded by Mary Rodgers and the Rodgers Family Foundation.

No applications accepted. By nomination only.

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THE ASCAP FOUNDATION LIVING ARCHIVE PROJECT

The ASCAP Foundation videotapes prominent ASCAP songwriter and composer members to document their place in music history and the music industry. Some of those interviewed thus far include Broadway composer and lyricist Richard Adler , musical theater great Cy Coleman , Broadway lyric-writing great Betty Comden , lyricist Hal David, songwriter Ervin Drake , songwriter Jack Lawrence, composer/pianist Dick Hyman and jazz pianist and broadcast personality Marian McPartland . Additional interviews have been conducted for this project with Oscar-winning film composer Johnny Mandel , folk legends Jean Ritchie and Tom Paxton , jazz pianist and broadcast personality Billy Taylor , lyricist Hy Zaret , Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Felix Cavaliere, major southern songwriters Guy Clark and Billy Edd Wheeler, and songwriting/production team Ralph MacDonald, Bill Eaton and Bill Salter. Also interviewed were television composer Vic Mizzy, 1940s - 50s pop star and songwriter Frankie Laine, musical theatre and film composer Hugh Martin, pop songwriter Paul Vance, rock & roll songwriter Dave Appell, R&B writer/producer Jerry Ragovoy, songwriter Irving Burgie and folk/pop star and songwriter Judy Collins. Interviews were conducted with 1970s music legend Melanie, pop/country songwriters Randy Goodrum and Roger Cook, country writers Wayland Holyfield, Bob McDill, and songwriter/publisher Buddy Killen. Most recently, interviews were conducted with Canadian folk and cowboy music legend Ian Tyson, hit recording artist Jackie Deshannon, and songwriter Will Holt. The ASCAP Foundation Living Archive Project is funded through a gift from The Cain Foundation, directed by Wofford Denius.

THE ASCAP FOUNDATION JOHNNY MERCER AWARD

This award, named in honor of Georgia music great Johnny Mercer who wrote such standards as "Blues in the Night" and "Moon River," recognizes talent and promise as a songwriter. By nomination only.

Robert Allen

THE ASCAP FOUNDATION ROBERT ALLEN AWARD

The ASCAP Foundation Robert Allen Award is named in honor of Robert Allen, composer of many classic pop songs, including "It's Not For Me To Say," "Chances Are" and the seasonal favorite, "Home for the Holidays." Funded by a gift from Patty Allen in memory of her husband, this award is presented annually to an aspiring ASCAP songwriter participating in ASCAP's New York Extended Songwriting Workshop. The recipient will be nominated by ASCAP membership staff and workshop guests, including music publishers, artist managers, A&R representatives, and entertainment lawyers. In the spirit of Mr. Allen's work, this prestigious award will be made to writers of songs in the pop and/or jazz musical genres.

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Harold Arlen and Schmutz

THE ASCAP FOUNDATON HAROLD ARLEN FILM & TV AWARD

This award recognizes writers who participate in the ASCAP Film Scoring Workshop in Los Angeles. The award is funded through a gift from Sam and Joan Arlen, honoring Harold Arlen, composer of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and "Stormy Weather."

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THE ASCAP FOUNDATON HAROLD ARLEN MUSICAL THEATER AWARD

This award recognizes writers who have emerged from The ASCAP Foundation Musical Theater Workshops in Los Angeles and New York. The award is funded through a gift from Sam and Joan Arlen, honoring Harold Arlen, composer of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and "Stormy Weather."

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Leon Brettler

THE ASCAP FOUNDATION LEON BRETTLER AWARD

This award is presented annually to an outstanding songwriter-performer participating in an ASCAP Foundation Nashville Songwriter Workshop. It is funded through a gift from the Brettler family and Shapiro, Bernstein & Co., in memory of Leon Brettler who helmed Shapiro, Berstein & Co. for many years and served on the ASCAP Board of Directors for nearly 40 years. Nashville Songwriter Workshop leaders and ASCAP staff will select the recipient of this award.

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Cy Coleman

The ASCAP Foundation Cy Coleman Award

This Award was established by Shelby Coleman in memory of her husband. Cy Coleman was a long time member of the ASCAP Board of Directors and a member of The ASCAP Foundation Board. Coleman wrote many pop standards including "Witchcraft," and "The Best Is Yet To Come," as well as hit Broadway scores such as Wildcat ("Hey Look Me Over"), LittleMe ("Real Live Girl"), Sweet Charity ("Big Spender"), Seesaw ("It's Not Where You Start"), I Love My Wife, The Will Rogers Follies, and The Life. Mr. Coleman was honored with 13 Grammy Nominations (2 wins), 12 Tony Nominations (3 wins), 5 Emmy Nominations (3 wins), an Academy Award Nomination; is a member of the Theatre Hall of Fame and the Songwriter's Hall of Fame. The award is presented presented annually to support a student enrolled in a music business course and rotates between New York University, Berklee College of Music in Boston and the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California

Eunice and Hal David

The ASCAP Foundation Eunice & Hal David Instructor-In-Residence Award

Established in 2003, The ASCAP Foundation Eunice and Hal David Instructor-In-Residence Award provides funding to support the work of an outstanding music instructor at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. Hal David, ASCAP and ASCAP Foundation board member and lyricist for such great standards as "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head," "Do You Know the Way to San Jose?" and "Alfie," together with his wife Eunice, funds this program.

Cole Porter

The ASCAP Foundation Cole Porter Award

Established in 2009 with a gift from the Cole Porter Musical and Literary Trusts , The ASCAP Foundation Cole Porter Award will be presented annually to an ASCAP or unaffiliated member who writes music and lyrics, whose work shows promise, and who has participated in the ASCAP Foundation Musical Theatre Workshop. The Award honors the memory of Porter, writer of such classics as "I Get a Kick Out of You" and "Night and Day."

*Application materials are in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format. To print a form you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader
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