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The ACSO Awards program recognizes remarkable individuals and organizations for their meaningful contributions to the orchestra field. ACSO oversees five awards in its portfolio: 1) Executive Leadership Award, 2) Emerging Professional Award, 3) MVP Volunteer Award, 4) NEW! Social Impact Award, and 5) NEW! Young Musician Leadership Award. NOTE: Once you have begun an application, you cannot save and return your progress - applications must be completed in one sitting. Click the links below to preview and draft the application questions before submitting a nomination.
NEW! Social Impact AwardThe Social Impact Award will be granted to an organizational member of ACSO that has demonstrated measurable success in the area of social impact within the past three to five seasons. ACSO defines social impact as conscious or deliberate efforts towards positive change that address or improve social injustices or challenges. ACSO believes that an orchestra’s value extends beyond the music that they offer to their communities - they can also serve as agents to influence social change and make their communities stronger and more connected. We seek to award the work that orchestras are doing to serve, strengthen, and improve their communities both inside and outside the concert hall. Click here to learn more about the Social Impact Award and submit an application.
NEW! Young Musician Leadership AwardThis award will be given to a young musician who is high school or college-aged, is part of a performing ensemble, and has shown remarkable potential to become a future leader in the performing arts field. This is NOT an award for musical ability – it is to highlight the leadership potential of those who have gone above and beyond in service to their orchestra, school, peer group, or community. ACSO seeks to promote a more intentional pathway into the field of arts administration by recognizing students who currently show strong leadership potential. ACSO’s Young Musician Leadership Award comes with an optional mentorship opportunity between the awardee and an arts leader in ACSO’s membership network to support them and give them experience in their field of expertise. In doing so, we feel this award will help cultivate the future arts leaders of tomorrow. Click here to learn more about the Young Musician Leadership Award and submit an nomination. Executive Leadership AwardThe Executive Leadership Award recognizes the chief executive officer, executive director, or managing director of an ACSO member organization for extraordinary leadership in the classical music field over the past three to five years. This is demonstrated in their efforts to advance the mission of their organization, create a vision that inspires others, create strategies to overcome challenges, and unite a team to meet the demands of the changing world of classical music performance. Click here to learn more about the Executive Leadership Award and submit a nomination. 2022 Winner: 2021 Winner: Emerging Professional AwardACSO recognizes the need for the classical music industry to invest in diverse future leaders who will ensure the vitality of the art form. Therefore, the Emerging Professional Award recognizes the current contributions and the future potential of an individual who has been in the orchestra/classical music field for less than five years but who has already made significant contributions to their organization, irrespective of available resources or budget, and has demonstrated the potential for leadership and continuing professional growth. This individual has experienced early career success in the field, has helped elevate the mission of their organization, and thus is actively making an impact in the community.
2022 Winner: 2021 Winner: MVP Volunteer AwardsSince 1996 the Most Valuable Player (MVP) Volunteer Awards have recognized exemplary volunteers, volunteer projects, and volunteer organizations working for symphony orchestras in the ACSO network. From board members, to education providers, to marketing and outreach support, to fundraisers, and many other capacities, these individuals willingly give their time and talents to make sure music organizations thrive. Nominations may be made now through Friday, May 19, 2023, for an individual volunteer, a volunteer committee, or a volunteer organization (such as a league or guild). ACSO will publicly announce the award winners in July 2023 and winners will be recognized during the 2023 Annual Conference (August 16 – 18, 2023). Click here to learn more about the MVP Volunteer Award and submit a nomination. 2022 MVPs: 2021 MVPs: 2020 MVPs: 2019 MVPs: 2018 MVPs: |