For distinguished musical composition by an American in any of the larger forms including chamber, orchestral, choral, opera, song, dance, or other forms of musical theatre, which has had its first performance in the United States during the year, One thousand dollars ($1,000).
Visions of Terror and Wonder , by Richard Wernick
For mezzo-soprano and orchestra, premiered at the Aspen Music Festival, July 19, 1976. It was commissioned by the Festival's Conference on Contemporary Music, with assistance from the National Endowment for the Arts.
The Jury
The Jury
Robert E. Ward*
Professor of Music, North Carolina School of the Arts
George Crumb*
Professor of Music, University of Pennsylvania
Ulysses Kay
Professor of Music, Lehman College
Winners in Music
Ned Rorem
First performed by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra on December 5, 1975. It is subtitled "Ten Etudes of Orchestra."
Dominick Argento
For medium voice and piano, commissioned by the Schubert Club of St. Paul, and premiered January 5, 1975 in Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis.
Donald Martino
A chamber music piece commissioned by the Walter W. Naumburg Foundation and first performed May 15, 1973 at Alice Tully Hall, New York City, by Speculum Musicae.
Elliott Carter
Premiered by the Juilliard String Quartet at Tully Hall, Lincoln Center, New York City, on January 23, 1973.
1977 Prize Winners
George F. Will
For distinguished commentary on a variety of topics.
William McPherson
For his contribution to "Book World."