League President Henry Fogel and NEA Chairman Dana Gioia present the 2008 award to Louis Scaglione (center), accepting on behalf of America's youth orchestras (photo: Mark T. Osler/PJeye.com)
The League is pleased to award the 2008 Gold Baton to America’s youth orchestras, for the critical role they play in sustaining arts education, and for continually developing the musicians, audience members, and orchestra supporters of tomorrow.
The Gold Baton will be accepted by Louis Scaglione, Chairman, League of American Orchestras Youth Orchestra Division, on behalf of America’s youth orchestras.
2007
Kenneth Schermerhorn, Whose vibrant musical leadership of the New Jersey, Milwaukee, and Nashville Symphony Orchestras inspired extraordinary artistic quality and established their national stature
2006
John Williams, Composer and conductor, whose orchestral music for film, television and concert hall is an indelible part of America’s cultural fabric, inspiring millions of listeners worldwide
2005
Leonard Slatkin, Whose imaginative musical leadership has served America’s orchestras, composers and young conductors with unparalleled vision and passion
The National Arts Caucus, For steadfast leadership, advocacy, and unfailing commitment to national policies that improve access to the arts for all Americans
2004
Walter Anderson, Whose leadership as artist, educator, and visionary compelled us to consider endless possibilities
Seymour Rosen, Musician, Manager, Presenter, Educator, Mentor. For serving music and orchestras with vision, passion, integrity, and courage
2003
Michael Tilson Thomas, Consummate musical leader: setting new standards, crossing boundaries, embracing all listeners
Gordon Getty, Visionary patron of orchestras large and small and peerless philanthropic leader
2002
Paul R. Judy, (Symphony Orchestra Institute)
2001
Adolph Herseth, Principal trumpet, CSO (1948-2001; principal trumpet emeritus 2001-)
2000
Pierre Boulez, Composer, Conductor, Teacher, and Lifelong Pioneer for Orchestras and Their Music
1999
Peter Pastreich, who brought intelligence, imagination, and intense dedication to the leadership of individual orchestras and to the community of orchestras throughout a brilliant career
1998
Ernest Fleischmann, musician, leader, impresario – whose vision inspires orchestras around the world
1997
Catherine French, friend and advocate, whose distinguished leadership of the American Symphony Orchestra League strengthened orchestras everywhere
1996
Audrey Baird, First lady of volunteer ticket sales, whose unmatched skills and irresistible enthusiasm have multiplied audiences for orchestras everywhere
1995
Corporation for Public Broadcasting, for a generation of access to high quality concert broadcasts and cultural news that has fostered a climate of public support for America’s symphony orchestras
1994
Josef Gingold, Soloist, Orchestra Violinist, Concertmaster, Professor of Violin, who by his inspiration and example has enriched orchestras everywhere.
1993
New York Philharmonic, in celebration of its 150 years of artistic excellence, leadership and service
1992
Meet the Composer
1991
Robert Ward
1990
Carnegie Hall, for one hundred years of celebrating America’s orchestras and the music they play
1989
Ralph Black (posthumous)
1988
Robert Shaw
1987
Isaac Stern, Musician, Humanitarian, and Guardian of the Arts
Betty Freeman, patron of new music, for distinguished service to America’s music
1986
Margaret Lee Crofts, Paul Fromm, and Francis Goelet, patrons of new music, for distinguished service to America’s music
1985
William Schuman, Composer, Educator, Leader, ever distinguished by his music and a life dedicated to his art
1984
Danny Newman, arts consultant, whose enthusiasm for subscription has helped orchestras bring their music to millions of listeners in the United States and Canada
Merrill Lynch, securities and investment banking firm, for making a sound investment in American symphony orchestras
1983
Morton Gould, Composer, conductor, and friend whose music enriches the lives of millions and helps build our American musical heritage
1982
The Honorable Sidney R. Yates, U.S. Congressman from Illinois, whose dedicated leadership in Congress has helped build and preserve the Federal government’s commitment to the arts
1981
Maurice Abravanel, Music Director Laureate of the Utah Symphony, orchestra builder, orchestra advocate – for a lifetime of singular devotion to the advancement of all orchestras
1980
Beverly Sills, for her cultivation and captivation of new audiences for the arts for over 30 years
The Minnesota Five Percent Club, for setting a standard of excellence among businesses in support of the arts
1979
Eugene Ormandy, Conductor Laureate of the Philadelphia Orchestra, for setting a standard of excellence for nearly half a century
The Bell System, for bringing fine concert performances to millions of Americans through the American Orchestras on Tour program
1978
Aaron Copland, Composer and conductor, a musician sensitive to the sounds of America
Exxon Corporation, for outstanding leadership and vision in support of the arts, especially the Exxon/Arts Endowment Conductors Program
1977
Avery Fisher, Friends of Music, Musicians, and Music lovers
Alcoa Foundation, for the distinguished television series “Previn and the Pittsburgh”
1976
Arthur Fiedler, Musician, Conductor, Friend, who has enriched all our lives as Ambassador of Music to America
1975
John S. Edwards, Manager of the Chicago Symphony, for 40 distinguished years of leadership to symphony orchestras. A Patron of the Arts. A Man for All Seasons
1974
Nancy Hanks and the National Council on the Arts, who have opened the doors to the Golden Age in music and the arts in America
1973
Danny Kaye, who waves a magic wand over the symphony orchestras of America and turns them into happier, healthier organizations
1972
Amyas Ames, a true citizen-soldier in the tradition of Cincinnatus, he has rallied the hopes of all musical organizations through the Partnership of the Arts
1971
Martha Baird Rockefeller, for a lifetime of generous support of the world of symphony orchestras which she underscored in her final bequests
1970
Helen M. Thompson, for leadership and guidance of the American Symphony Orchestra League from a small organization to the most representative professional group in the performing arts field in the United States
1969
The New York State Council on the Arts, for successfully encouraging local participation in the support of the arts and for increased state financial support of the arts
1968
Leopold Stokowski, for the imaginative leadership he has given to symphony orchestra development in America, and his initiation and direction of the American Symphony Orchestra’s program of study and career opportunities for young conductors and orchestra players
Mrs. Jouett Shouse, for her cultural leadership and gifts of lands and facilities for the establishment of the Filene Center and the Wolf Trap Farm Park for the Performing Arts, America’s first National Park devoted to the performing arts
1967
American Telephone & Telegraph Company, in recognition of its exploration of the world of music through the televised Bell Telephone Hour documentaries
1966
The Ford Foundation, in recognition of its development of the Endowment Program for symphony orchestras
1965
American Federation of Musicians, in recognition of its development and sponsorship of the String Congress
1964
Dr. Richard Lert, Music Director, Pasadena Symphony, for his extensive work in training, teaching and coaching young musicians and conductors
Paul Mellon, A.W. Mellon Educational and Charitable Trusts, Richard King Mellon Charitable Trust, Howard Heinz Endowment, for setting up an endowment for the Pittsburgh Symphony
1963
John D. Rockefeller, III, for his leadership in establishing Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts Officers and Directors of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
1962
The Women’s Associations of Symphony Orchestras in the in the United States and Canada, for their extensive work in support of symphony orchestras
1961
Arthur Judson, former manager, New York Philharmonic, for his many years of pioneer work on behalf of arts organizations throughout the nation
1960
Charles Farnsley, former Mayor Louisville, for development of the Commissioning Project of the Louisville Orchestra
Association of Junior Leagues of America, for their extensive and valuable work on behalf of arts organizations throughout the United States and Canada
1959
Leonard Bernstein, conductor, New York Philharmonic, for his televised concerts for young people
1958
The Study Committee on Orchestra Legal Documents: Samuel Rosenbaum, Henry B. Cabot, Dudley T. Easby, Jr., Charles Garside, and Henry Allen Moe
1956
Mrs. Marjorie Merriweather Post, Vice President of the Washington National Symphony, for her unique series of youth concerts in Washington, D.C., “Music for Young America”
1952
John B. Ford, President of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, for his development of a unique program of corporate support for orchestras
1948
Ernest La Prade, for promotion of symphony orchestras through the NBC “Orchestras of the Nations” radio program