The American Prize

The American Prize is a series of new, non-profit national competitions in the performing arts providing cash awards, professional adjudication and recognition.

[The American Prize @americanprize]

ABOUT the 2027 Season:
Applications for the 2027 contests of The American Prize open in January 2027 and will be accepted through April 2027. Productions, performances and new works from the 2025-26 and 2026-27 seasons will of course be eligible.

[The American Prize @americanprize]

The American Prize CONTEST UPDATE: July 27

On Tuesday we send the July edition of “What’s on TAP,” our e-newsletter, which includes links to the complete list of 2026 finalists.
Winner announcements for 2026 begin late this week on our blog: https://t.co/By9CZydmKZ

[The American Prize @americanprize]

The American Prize in Conducting, 2026 (musical theater division):
Fri, July 31, 2026 at 5pm

REMINDER: If your address has changed since you applied, please send your new address to [email protected] and put the words “NEW ADDRESS” in the subject line of the email.

[The American Prize @americanprize]

REMINDER: The office is continuing to send out certificate packages.
If your address has changed since you applied, please send your new address to [email protected] and put the words “NEW ADDRESS” in the subject line of the email.

[The American Prize @americanprize]

The American Prize CONTEST UPDATE: July 20

2026 FINALIST ANNOUNCEMENTS
Each on our blog at 5pm https://t.co/iwGHwlQyij

Bacon Memorial Award for Performance of American Music (conductor/ensemble division)
Thur Jul 23

Bacon Memorial Award (soloist/composer division)
Fri July 24

[The American Prize @americanprize]

Next week, we will send the July edition of “What’s on TAP,” our e-newsletter, which will include links to the complete list of this season’s finalists. Winner announcements for 2026 will begin shortly thereafter.

[The American Prize @americanprize]

Finalists in American Music Performance (Bacon Award) will be announced next. We will then send an updated edition of our e-newsletter, which will include links to the complete list of this season’s finalists. Winner announcements for 2026 will begin shortly thereafter.

[The American Prize @americanprize]

The American Prize CONTEST UPDATE: July 13

2026 FINALIST ANNOUNCEMENTS THIS WEEK
Each on our blog at 5pm https://t.co/iwGHwlQyij

The American Prize in Composition (instrumental chamber music), high school division—Charles Ives Award
Wed July 15

[The American Prize @americanprize]

The American Prize in Composition (instrumental chamber music), college/university division—Charles Ives Award
Thur July 16

The American Prize in Composition (instrumental chamber music), professional division—Charles Ives Award
Fri July 17

***

[The American Prize @americanprize]

After the last 2026 finalists have been announced, we will send an updated edition of “What’s on TAP,” our e-newsletter, which will include links to the complete list of this season’s finalists. Winner announcements will begin shortly thereafter.

[The American Prize @americanprize]

The American Prize CONTEST UPDATE: June 29

2026 FINALIST ANNOUNCEMENTS THIS WEEK
Each on our blog at 5pm https://t.co/iwGHwlQyij

The American Prize in Opera Performance
Wed July 1

in Instrumental Performance (high school division)
Thur July 2

[The American Prize @americanprize]

in Directing—The Charles Nelson Reilly Prize
Fri July 3

***
Finalists in Instrumental Chamber Music Composition (Ives Award) and in American Music Performance (Bacon Award) will be announced after the Independence Day Break.

[The American Prize @americanprize]

ERIE MILLS, the internationally renowned coloratura soprano, died this week. In 2022 she was honored as a Distinguished Artist of The American Prize, in recognition of her outstanding career. We mourn her passing and send deep condolences to her family and friends.—DK

[The American Prize @americanprize]

The website will be updated this fall for the 2027 season, as we transition to a new schedule that accomplishes the entire competition process during a single calendar year.

Questions? [email protected]

[The American Prize @americanprize]

The American Prize CONTEST UPDATE: June 22

2026 FINALIST ANNOUNCEMENTS THIS WEEK
Each on our blog at 5pm https://t.co/iwGHwlQyij

The American Prize in Orchestral Performance
Wed June 24

The American Prize in Choral Performance
Fri June 26

[The American Prize @americanprize]

ABOUT the 2027 Season:

Applications for the 2027 contests of The American Prize open in January 2027 and will be accepted through April 2027. Productions from the 2025-26 and 2026-27 academic years will of course be eligible.

[The American Prize @americanprize]

REMINDER: If your address has changed since you applied, please send your new address to [email protected] and put the words “NEW ADDRESS” in the subject line of the email.

Next update: June 22

[The American Prize @americanprize]

The American Prize CONTEST UPDATE: June 15

2026 FINALIST ANNOUNCEMENTS THIS WEEK
Each on our blog at 5pm https://t.co/iwGHwlQyij

The American Prize in Conducting (band/wind ensemble)
Wed June 17

The American Prize in Composition (music for orchestra)
Fri June 19

[The American Prize @americanprize]

REMINDER: If your address has changed since you applied, please send your new address to [email protected] and put the words “NEW ADDRESS” in the subject line of the email.

Next update: June 15

Questions? [email protected]

[The American Prize @americanprize]

The American Prize CONTEST UPDATE: June 8

2026 FINALIST ANNOUNCEMENTS THIS WEEK
Each on our blog at 5pm https://t.co/iwGHwlQyij

The American Prize in Conducting (orchestra)
Wed June 10

The American Prize in Composition (shorter choral works)
Fri June 12