American Bandmasters Association Sousa/Ostwald Prize
American Bandmasters Association Sousa/Ostwald Prize
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The Sousa/Ostwald Prize is hosted by the American Bandmasters Association. This American group presents the awards each year in September. The award was started in 1956 and is given to a composition for concert band. From 1991 to 1998, a commission was given to the winner. From 1991 to 2010 the award was given biannually.
2023 Sousa/Oswald Prize Winner Andrew David PerkinsPhoto by Andrew David Perkins
Curious About MY Opinions?
Curious About MY Opinions?
I have suggestions on what you should listen to. Feel free to donate whatever you think my opinions are worth, and get my personal recommendations listening guide! I will share my favorites with you and why I enjoy them. In the guide I highlight 5 pieces that you MUST hear for each award along with 5 composers I discovered while creating this project. To get the listening guide, check out the Buy Me a Coffee button at the bottom of every page.
2024
2024
River of Time (2024) - David Biedenbender
Solo Trumpet and Concert Band
Duration: 18'
Difficulty: Grade 6
Video (Orchestra Version): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgOlcG2ETkw&t=1537s
Composer's Website: https://davidbiedenbender.com/
2023
2023
Tuebor Suite (2020) - Andrew David Perkins
Concert Band
Duration: 12'
Difficulty: Grade 4
Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u76JxuSNvBc
Composer's Website: https://www.andrewdavidperkins.com/
2022
2022
Sinfonia (2022) - Zhou Tian
Concert Band
Duration: 20'
Difficulty: Grade 5
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GN0j4lr9dpY
Composer's Website: https://zhoutianmusic.com/
2021
2021
Perpetua (2019) - Peter Meechan
Concert Band
Duration: 6'
Difficulty: Grade 4
Audio: https://soundcloud.com/pete_composer/perpetua
Composer's Website: https://meechanmusic.com/
2020
2020
The Seer (2019) - Erik Santos
Text by Langston Hughes
Solo Voice and Concert Band
Duration: 20'
Difficulty: Grade 6
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKD84C0ezek
Composer's Website: https://www.eriksantos.com/index.html
2019
2019
Unquiet Hours (2017) - David Biedenbender
Concert Band
Duration: 7'
Difficulty: Grade 3
Audio: https://soundcloud.com/davebied/unquiet-hours
Composer's Website: https://davidbiedenbender.com/
2018
2018
Symphony No. 2: Voices (2016) - James Stephenson
Concert Band
Duration: 20'
Difficulty: Grade 6
Audio Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKmHwDyDMwfErAMVl6NJYoj1X5gngQbUc
Composer's Website: https://composerjim.com/
2017
2017
A Cypress Prelude (2015)- Christopher Lowry
Concert Band
Duration: 6'
Difficulty: Grade 4
Audio: https://soundcloud.com/chrislowrymusic-1/a-cypress-prelude-for-wind-ensemble-opus-16a-world-premiere
Composer's Website: https://christopherlowrymusic.com/
Publisher's Website: https://murphymusicpress.com/
2016
2016
Masks and Machines (2015) - Paul Dooley
Concert Band
Duration: 10'
Difficulty: Grade 6
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHh7kr8ydCM&t=1s
Composer's Website: https://www.pauldooley.net/
2015
2015
Only Light (2014)- Aaron Perrine
Concert Band
Duration: 8'
Difficulty: Grade 4
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuECG-9rxug
Composer's Website: https://aaronperrine.com/
2014
2014
Concerto for Alto Saxophone (2014) - Steven Bryant
Solo Alto Saxophone and Concert Band
Duration: 26'
Difficulty: Grade 6
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYZ77I6oTiQ
Composer's Website: https://www.stevenbryant.com/
2013
2013
Pale Blue on Deep (2011)- Aaron Perrine
Concert Band
Duration: 8'
Difficulty: Grade 5
Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dVXGA2WA04
Composer's Website: https://aaronperrine.com/
2012
2012
Flourishes and Meditations (2010) - Michael Gandolfi
Concert Band
Duration: 15'
Difficulty: Grade 6
Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBJvaKe3pXU
Composer's Website: https://michaelgandolfi.com/
2011
2011
Songs for Wind Ensemble (2009) - Yo Goto
Concert Band
Duration: 7'
Difficulty: Grade 4
Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chCe-H1KivY
Publisher's Website: https://www.bravomusic-inc.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=60
Format Change: 2001-2010 Biannual
2010 (No Award Given)
2010 (No Award Given)
2009
2009
Aurora Awakes (2009) - John Mackey
Concert Band
Duration: 12'
Difficulty: Grade 5
Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TL9D7HfGWCo
Composer's Website: https://www.johnmackey.com/
2008 (No Award Given)
2008 (No Award Given)
2007
2007
Raise the Roof (2003/arr.2007) - Michael Daugherty
Solo Timpani and Concert Band
Duration: 13'
Difficulty: Grade 6
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGWhEGSKqD0
Composer's Website: https://michaeldaugherty.net/
2006 (No Award Given)
2006 (No Award Given)
2005
2005
Redline Tango (2004) - John Mackey
Concert Band
Duration: 9'
Difficulty: Grade 6
Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfQEGxTH7Q0
Composer's Website: https://www.johnmackey.com/
2004 (No Award Given)
2004 (No Award Given)
2003 (No Award Given)
2003 (No Award Given)
2002
2002
Harrison's Dream (2000/2003) - Peter Graham
Concert Band
Duration: 14'
Difficulty: Grade 6
Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JB6z5TPTCsI
Composer's Website: N/A
2001 (No Award Given)
2001 (No Award Given)
Format Change: 1991-2000 Biannual with a commission given to winning composer
2000 (No Award Given)
2000 (No Award Given)
1999
1999
Winning Piece
Winning Piece
Fantasy Variations (1997) - Donald Grantham
Concert Band
Duration: 14'
Difficulty: Grade 6
Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6xPiXyUttY
Composer's Website: https://piquantpress.com/
Commission
Commission
Southern Harmony (2000)
Concert Band
Duration: 11'
Difficulty: Grade 6
Audio Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9uF9x6KXIDQzbeHtXF9oyhVEEnTCaRBA
1998 (No Award Given)
1998 (No Award Given)
1997
1997
Winning Piece
Winning Piece
Zion (1994) - Dan Welcher
Concert Band
Duration: 10'
Difficulty: Grade 6
Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hmdi0Eu0JrM
Composer's Website: https://www.danwelcher.com/
Commission
Commission
Circular Marches (1998)
Concert Band
Duration: 9'
Difficulty: Grade 5
1996 (No Award Given)
1996 (No Award Given)
1995
1995
Winning Piece
Winning Piece
Sea Drift (1995) - Anthony Iannaccone
Concert Band
Duration: 18'
Difficulty: Grade 6
Audio Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QK2Yfe_qWsw&list=OLAK5uy_kesaor4YNhwVz_Rogm2dZ4kZk-8kZkYck&index=3
Composer's Website: http://www.iannacconeworks.com/
Commission
Commission
Psalms for a Great Country (1995)
Concert Band
Duration: 9'
Difficulty: Grade 6
No Available Recording
1994 (No Award Given)
1994 (No Award Given)
1993
1993
Winning Piece
Winning Piece
Passacaglia: Homage on B-A-C-H (1993/2021) - Ron Nelson
Concert Band
Duration: 10'
Difficulty: Grade 6
Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyNUG18uNoA
Memorial Website: https://www.ronnelson.info/
Commission
Commission
Chaconne: In Memoriam (1995)
Concert Band
Duration: 9'
Difficulty: Grade 5
1992 (No Award Given)
1992 (No Award Given)
1991
1991
Winning Piece
Winning Piece
The Soaring Hawk (1990) - Timothy Mahr
Concert Band
Duration:
Difficulty: Grade 6
Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_cBa5fMgyw
Composer's Website: https://www.timothymahr.com/
Commission
Commission
Endurance (1991)
Concert Band
Duration: 12'
Difficulty: Grade 5
Format Change: 1956-1990 Annual
1990
1990
Fire Works (1987) - Gregory Youtz
Concert Band
Duration: 10'
Difficulty: Grade 6
Audio: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mJc1rGLS0ZmLMOdza7UKwY8pellgUlSK/view
Composer's Website: https://sites.google.com/a/plu.edu/gregory-youtz-composer/
1989
1989
For Precious Friends Hid in Death's Dateless Night (1988) - Martin Mailman
Concert Band
Duration: 20'
Difficulty: Grade 5
Audio Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/album/1ffttVZ9EF9NSc2qH2ewXf (Tracks 11-13)
Memorial Website: http://www.martinmailman.com/
1988
1988
Piece of Mind (1987) - Dana Wilson
Concert Band
Duration: 22'
Difficulty: Grade 6
Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljM4x-B3ynk
Composer's Website: https://www.danawilson.org/
1987
1987
Synergistic Parable (1985) - David Sartor
Concert Band
Duration: 15'
Difficulty: Grade 5
Video (score): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTEcJ9v2vFY
Composer's Website: https://www.davidsartor.com/
1986
1986
In the Spring, at the Time When the Kings Go Off to War (1985/1991)- David R. Holsinger
Concert Band & Piano
Duration: 12'
Difficulty: Grade 6
Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpV9nJgAP1g
Composer's Website: https://davidrholsinger.com/
1985
1985
Symphony for Winds and Percussion (1985) - Joseph H. Downing
Concert Band
Duration: 27'
Difficulty: Grade 5
Video (mvt I only): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4KVHk6ElSE
Publisher's Website: https://trnmusic.com/composers/downing-joseph/
1984
1984
Symphonic Variants for Euphonium and Band (1984/1998) - James E. Curnow
Solo Euphonium & Concert Band
Duration: 20'
Difficulty: Grade 5
Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5KypepIqX8
Composer's Website: https://jamescurnowmusic.com/
1983
1983
Exaltations (1982) - Martin Mailman
Concert Band
Duration: 9'
Difficulty: Ungraded
Audio: https://exhibitions.lib.umd.edu/ostwald/winners/1981-1990/martin-mailman
Memorial Website: http://www.martinmailman.com/
1982
1982
The Armies of the Omnipresent Otserf (1981) - David R. Holsinger
Concert Band
Duration: 10'
Difficulty: Ungraded
Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jub2D3TD5L8
Composer's Website: https://davidrholsinger.com/
1981
1981
Visions Macabre (1980/2006)- James Barnes
Concert Band
Duration: 11'
Difficulty: Grade 5
Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SKCJ4-fXVE
Wikipedia Article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Barnes_(composer)
1980
1980
Mutanza (1979) - James E. Curnow
Concert Band
Duration: 16'
Difficulty: Grade 5
Video (Score): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FD3LhBzv8L0
Composer's Website: https://jamescurnowmusic.com/
1979 (No Award Given)
1979 (No Award Given)
1978
1978
Symphony No. 1 (1974-1975) - James Barnes
Concert Band
Duration: 29'
Difficulty: Grade 6
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCKjhz8Xgs0
Wikipedia Article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Barnes_(composer)
1977
1977
Danses Sacred and Profane (rev. 1977) - William H. Hill
Concert Band
Duration: 11'
Difficulty: Grade 5
Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHjFjHcVIIs
Publisher's Website: https://barnhouse.com/composer/william-h-hill/
1976
1976
Todesband (1974) - Loretta Jankowski
Concert Band
Duration: 12'
Difficulty: 6
Video (Score): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZCsuQxs6EQ
Composer's Website: https://www.lorettajankowski.com/
1975
1975
Jubiloso (1975/2011) - Robert M. Panerio, Sr.
Concert Band
Duration: 6'
Difficulty: Grade 3
No Avalible Recording
No Avalible Website
1974
1974
Visions (1973) - James S. Sclater
Concert Band
Duration: 8'
Difficulty: Grade 6
Audio: https://knightwindmusic.com/product/visions/
Wikipedia Article: https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Sclater
Mississippi Writers and Musicians Article: https://www.mswritersandmusicians.com/mississippi-musicians/james-sclater
1973
1973
Festival Fanfare March (1973)- Roger Nixon
Concert Band
Duration: 5'
Difficulty: Grade 3
Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQsH2NOugSc
Publisher's Website: https://www.hebu-music.com/en/musician/roger-nixon.1868/
1972
1972
Sinfonietta (1972) - Robert E. Jager
Concert Band
Duration: 15'
Difficulty: Grade 5
Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdrNwgHhREI
Publisher's Website: https://www.hebu-music.com/en/musician/robert-e-jager.2127/
1971
1971
Divertimento for Concert Band (1971) - Karl Kroeger
Concert Band
Duration: Unknown
Difficulty: Grade 5
No Recording Avalible
Wikipedia Article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Kroeger
1970
1970
Toccata (1969) - Fisher Tull
Concert Band
Duration: 11'
Difficulty: Grade 5
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Thrrei8Xy-M
Memorial Website: http://fishertull.com/
1969
1969
Aria and Toccata (1969) - Richard Willis
Concert Band
Duration: 8'
Difficulty: Grade 4
Audio: https://archive.org/details/cd_richard-willis-vol-5_richard-willis
No Website Available
1968
1968
Diamond Variations (1968/1973)- Robert E. Jager
Concert Band
Duration: 14'
Difficulty: Grade 5
Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCwdb47VbOQ
Publisher's Website: https://www.hebu-music.com/en/musician/robert-e-jager.2127/
1967
1967
Daedalic Symphony (1966) - Lawrence Weiner
Concert Band
Duration: 15'
Difficulty: Garde 6
Audio (mvt I only): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vakga6SY8iM (Starts @ 20:26)
Purchase Link: https://markcustom.com/Markcustom_new/Menu2_ViewAlbum.asp?CDNum=MW95MCD-13
Publisher's Website: https://www.hebu-music.com/en/musician/lawrence-weiner.7956/
1966
1966
Variations on a Korean Folk Song (1965) - John Barnes Chance
Concert Band
Duration: 7'
Difficulty: Grade 5
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFMgBp_QR5s
Wikipedia Article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Barnes_Chance
1965
1965
Overture for Band (1965) - Frederick Beyer
Concert Band
Duration: 7'
Difficulty: Grade 4
Audio: https://soundcloud.com/randell-monaco/overture-for-band-fredrick-beyer
No Avalible Website
1964
1964
Symphony for Band (1964/2013) - Robert E. Jager
Concert Band
Duration: 23'
Difficulty: Grade 5
Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wA6crT46x7U
Publisher's Website: https://www.hebu-music.com/en/musician/robert-e-jager.2127/
1963
1963
Concert Suite (1963) - Frederic H. Ashe
Concert Band
Duration: 11'
Difficulty: Grade 4
No Recording Avalible
No Available Website
1962
1962
Concertino for Band (1962/1966) - Fritz Velke
Concert Band
Duration: 11'
Difficulty: Grade 5
Audio: https://soundcloud.com/eric-volders/concertino-for-band
Wikipedia Article: https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fritz_Velke
1961
1961
Cumberland Gap Overture (1961) - Joseph Willcox Jenkins
Concert Band
Duration: 9'
Difficulty: Grade 5
Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uStf4vmBLLw
Wikipedia Article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Willcox_Jenkins
1960
1960
Overture in G (1960) - Florian Mueller
Concert Band
Duration: Unknown
Difficulty: Not Available for Purchase
Purchase Link: https://www.discogs.com/artist/7794057-Florian-Mueller-2
Wikipedia Article: https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florian_Mueller
1959
1959
Introduction and Scherzo (1959) - Maurice Weed
Concert Band
Duration: Unknown
Difficulty: Not Available for Purchase
No Available Recording
Web Article: https://www.macdowell.org/artists/maurice-weed
1958
1958
Portrait of the Land (1958) - J. Mark Quinn
Concert Band
Duration: 9'
Difficulty: Unrated
Video (only recording available - poor quality): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rr1rQiYSh74
Wikipedia Article: https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Joseph_Quinn
1957
1957
Symphonic Suite (1957) - J. Clifton Williams
Concert Band
Duration: 12'
Difficulty: Grade 4
Audio Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9uF9x6KXIDTohXWf744CvjNiBAHWX8Nu
Wikipedia Article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clifton_Williams_(composer)
1956
1956
Fanfare and Allegro (1954/1956) - J. Clifton Williams
Concert Band
Duration: 6'
Difficulty: Grade 5
Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l533Og6Ck2g
Wikipedia Article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clifton_Williams_(composer)
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