David Gardner, associate professor of music and director of choirs at Southwestern College, has been chosen to judge the best recorded performance of classical music.

The American Prize is a new, non-profit national competition providing cash awards, professional adjudication, and regional, national and international recognition for the best recorded performances of classical music each year in the United States at the professional, college/university, church, community, and secondary school levels.

“I am honored to be chosen and to be among such a distinguished group of colleagues,” Gardner says.  “I applied because I thought it would be a good way to give something back to the larger choral community.  It will be fun to hear some of the best choirs in the nation and to have the opportunity to adjudicate them.”

Gardner, along with the individuals listed below, represent 11 states, and are from virtually every region of the country. Bios and photos of the judges can be seen on the Web site, www.theamericanprize.org
•           David Katz, chief judge, Danbury, Conn.
•           Leonard Atherton, Muncie Symphony Orchestra, Muncie, Ind.      
•           Gregory J. Aune, Gustavus Adolphus College, Saint Peter, Minn.  
•           Timothy J. Brown, Denver Public Schools, Glendale, Colo.  
•           Allen Cohen, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.  
•           Mimi S. Daitz, The City College/CUNY, New York, N.Y.      
•           David B. Gardner, Southwestern College, Winfield  
•           David Griggs-Janower, Albany Pro Musica, Schenectady, N.Y.  
•           Peter Stanley Martin, G. Schirmer, Inc., New York, N.Y. 
•           William McConnell, St. Andrews Presbyterian College, Laurinburg, N.C.  
•           Nancy Menk, Saint Mary’s College Notre Dame, Ind.  
•           Michael Ogdon, Parlier Public Schools, Fresno, Calif.  
•           Greg A Steinke, Marylhurst College, Depot Bay, Ore.      
•           Jonathan Sternberg, Temple University, Philadelphia, Penn.  
•           Julia Vasquez, Missoula Symphony, Missoula, Mont.  

Orchestras and choruses, as well as their conductors, are eligible to apply. The postmark deadline for the first round of The American Prize competition is March 1, 2010. Winners will be announced in May. Complete information is available at the Web site.

“The American Prize was founded from the belief that a great deal of excellent music being made in this country goes unrecognized and unheralded, not only in our major cities, but all across the country—in schools and churches, in colleges and universities, and by community and professional musicians,” says chief judge David Katz.  “By shining a light on their notable achievement, the American Prize seeks to fill the gap that leaves many fine artists and ensembles struggling for visibility and viability.”