Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra Earns ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming
For Immediate Release
Contact: Nicole Marie Milano, 585-399-3652
nmilano@rpo.org
June 8, 2012
The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) is one of 24 American orchestras to be honored with a 2011–2012 ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming today at the League of American Orchestras Annual Meeting at its 67th National Conference in Dallas, Texas. The RPO was selected because it featured the works of such contemporary composers as Karen Tanaka, Margaret Brouwer, and Olly Wilson on its 2011–2012 Season. The League and ASCAP present the awards each year to orchestras of all sizes for programs that challenge the audience, build the repertoire, and increase interest in music of our time. Approximately $700,000 has been bestowed on orchestras since the awards were established in 1947.
This is one of several honors earned by the RPO for its exciting 2011–2012 programs. Last week, the RPO was awarded the first-ever Amy Award for Orchestral Programming by Women’s Philharmonic Advocacy at its season finale program on Thursday, May 31. In January, the RPO also announced that they were selected as one of six orchestras to perform at Carnegie Hall in spring 2014 as part of the annual Spring for Music festival. The RPO’s last performance at Carnegie Hall was in 1985 under the direction of then-Music Director David Zinman.
President & CEO Charlie Owens said, “This tremendous honor is the perfect ending to an already phenomenal 2011–12 Season. With Arild Remmereit at the helm, the RPO has taken great strides in broadening its repertoire, with emphasis on women composers, forgotten classics, and contemporary works that have thrilled audiences. Just last month, we launched our Ensuring Artistic Excellence campaign, which focuses on community support of these initiatives. We look forward to continuing on this path of artistic growth.”
About ASCAP
Established in 1914, ASCAP is the first and leading U.S. Performing Rights Organization (PRO) representing the world’s largest repertory totaling over 8.5 million copyrighted musical works of every style and genre from more than 430,000 songwriter, composer and music publisher members. ASCAP has representation arrangements with similar foreign organizations so that the ASCAP repertory is represented in nearly every country around the world where copyright law exists. ASCAP protects the rights of its members and foreign affiliates by licensing the public performances of their copyrighted works and distributing royalties based upon surveyed performances. ASCAP is the only American PRO owned and governed by its writer and publisher members. www.ascap.com
League of American Orchestras
The League of American Orchestras leads, supports, and champions America’s orchestras and the vitality of the music they perform. Its diverse membership of approximately 850 orchestras across North America runs the gamut from world-renowned symphonies to community groups, from summer festivals to student and youth ensembles. The only national organization dedicated solely to the orchestral experience, the League is a nexus of knowledge and innovation, advocacy, and leadership advancement for managers, musicians, volunteers, and boards. Its conferences and events, award-winning Symphony magazine, website, and other publications inform music lovers around the world about orchestral activity and developments. Founded in 1942 and chartered by Congress in 1962, the League links a national network of thousands of instrumentalists, conductors, managers and administrators, board members, volunteers, and business partners. Visit americanorchestras.org to learn more.
