Orchestras and conductor named semi-finalists for The American Prize

The Miami University Symphony Orchestra, the Oxford Chamber Orchestra and conductor Ricardo Averbach are among the first semi-finalists for The American Prize. 

Semi-finalists in orchestral and choral performance and orchestral and choral conducting were selected from applications received from 26 states. 

The American Prize is a series of new non-profit national competitions designed to recognize and reward the very best in the performing arts in the United States. Founded in 2009, The American Prize rewards the best-recorded performances of music by individuals and ensembles in the United States at the professional, community/amateur, college/university, church and school levels. 

The Miami University Symphony Orchestra and the Oxford Chamber Orchestra, both conducted by Ricardo Averbach, are two of nine semi-finalists in the college/university orchestras’ category. The Oxford Chamber Orchestra combines members of Miami’s music performance faculty with advanced music students. 

Averbach is one of 27 semi-finalists in the conducting (orchestral division) category. Averbach, associate professor of music, also maintains a schedule as guest conductor in several countries. He began his professional career as assistant conductor and later acting music director of the Sao Paulo Symphony Orchestra. Before coming to Miami he was music director/conductor of the University of Pennsylvania Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble. 

Finalists will be selected in May; winners of The American Prize will be announced in June. For more information, go to www.theamericanprize.org.