Marin Alsop Named 2021 Classical Woman of the Year by American Public Media’s Performance Today
ST. PAUL, Minn., March 29, 2021 – American Public Media’s Performance Today has named acclaimed conductor Marin Alsop as the 2021 Classical Woman of the Year. This annual award recognizes women who have made a significant contribution to the art form or inspired a nominator’s appreciation for the art form.
Alsop was the first woman to lead major orchestras in the United States, South America, Austria and Britain, and serves as Chief Conductor of ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra and Chief Conductor and Curator of Chicago’s Ravinia Festival.
“I am deeply honored by this recognition,” said Alsop. “My relationship with Performance Today goes back to the very start of my career and being nominated by today’s PT listeners brings things full circle and makes this a truly special occasion.”
Alsop’s numerous contributions to the art form include innovation, leadership, mentorship, and her powerful voice in the classical world and larger cultural scene. She has served as the Baltimore Symphony’s Music Director for 14 years, a tenure which included her groundbreaking work with OrchKids, a program that fosters social change through the power of music and has reached more than 2,000 students in underserved Baltimore neighborhoods.
Alsop was selected by the staff of Performance Today based on listener nominations, submitted through the month of March. Praise for Alsop in these nominations include:
“…She has awakened in a worldwide community the quest to appreciate, understand and pursue what and how music enlightens and enriches our daily lives.” -Douglas, Oregon
“…She champions new artists and continues the fame of heroes such as Leonard Bernstein. She inspires women and everyone everywhere.” -Ellen, Maryland
“Marin has energized the entire community with her outreach to the citizens of Baltimore city and beyond…” -Robert, Maryland
“I’m thrilled and honored that Marin Alsop is Performance Today’s 2021 Classical Woman of the Year,” said Fred Child, host of Performance Today. “She is an artist among conductors, combining inspiring artistic vision with charismatic presence, galvanizing orchestras and audiences alike. She is also among an elite group of conductors to have held major music directorships on three continents: in Baltimore, Sao Paolo, Vienna, and the UK. Her devotion to education has been unwavering and continues as she is about to introduce a Conducting Academy to the annual National Orchestral Institute. It’s with great pleasure that we recognize Marin with this well-deserved award.”
Alsop is the first and only conductor to receive a MacArthur Fellowship. She holds several academic positions and is founder of the Taki Alsop Concordia Conducting Fellowship, which promotes and nurtures the careers of female conductors.
Alsop will be recognized on the April 2 episode of Performance Today, including an interview with Child about her extensive music career and accomplishments.
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About American Public Media
American Public Media® (APM) is the national programming and distribution division of American Public Media Group and reaches nearly 17 million listeners via approximately 1,000 public radio stations and nearly 400 commercial stations nationwide each week. APM is one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world, with a portfolio that includes BBC World Service, Marketplace®, and the leading classical music programs in the nation. APM offers a diverse array of podcasts featuring the best in food, culture, entertainment, business and investigative journalism. For more information on APM, visit americanpublicmedia.org.
Source: Data are copyright Nielsen Audio, Nationwide DMA data, Persons 12+, Fall ’20.