Awards and Honors

The distinguished career of choral composer and conductor Dale Warland spans more than six decades and has made a profound contribution to the music of our time.
Education:
1965Doctor of Musical Arts, University of Southern California
1960Master of Arts in Theory and Composition, University of Minnesota
1954Bachelor of Arts in Music, Saint Olaf College
Honorary Degrees:
2008Honorary Doctor of Performing Arts, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
2004Doctor of Humane Letters, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
2004Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts, Macalester College, Saint Paul, Minnesota
1992Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, Augustana College, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Other Honors:
2010Cultural Leadership Citation, Yale University
1989Distinguished Alumnus Award, University of Southern California Thornton School of Music
1988Distinguished Alumnus Award, St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota
Awards:
2021The American Prize National Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement
2012Induction into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame, Cincinnati, Ohio
2007Induction into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame, New Ulm, Minnesota
2007Robert Shaw Citation, American Choral Directors Association, Miami, Florida
2006Honorary Life Member, Inaugural, the National Collegiate Choral Organization, San Antonio, Texas
2006Individual Leadership in Choral Music Award, Choral Arts Society of Philadelphia
2005Champion of New Music Award, American Composers Forum, St. Paul, Minnesota
2004Distinguished Master Artist Award, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
2003Grammy Award Nomination, National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) Walden Pond, conductor (Gothic Recordings, LLP), Los Angeles, California
2003Sally Ordway Irvine Award for Vision in the Arts, Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, St. Paul, Minnesota
2003Victor Herbert Award for Distinguished Service to American Music, American Society of Composers and Publishers (ASCAP), New York, New York
2002Special Award for Pioneer Vision, Leadership and Commitment to Commissioning and Performing New Choral Works and the Highest Level of Artistry, Chorus America, the Professional Association for Choral Ensembles in North America and ASCAP.
2002Louis Botto Award for Innovative Action and Entrepreneurial Zeal, Chorus America
2001The McKnight Foundation Distinguished Artist Award for contributions to the advancement of the arts in Minnesota, The McKnight Foundation
1999ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming, American Society of Composers, and Publishers
1996UNESCO Panel for International Federation of Choral Music Choral Symposium, Sydney, Australia
1996Community Arts Award, Sigma Alpha Iota, International Music Fraternity for Women, Minneapolis-St. Paul Alumnae Chapter
1996ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming, American Society of Composers, and Publishers
1996Honorary Sterling Patron of the Arts, Mu Phi Epsilon, International Music Fraternity
1995Michael Korn Founder's Award for significant contributions to the professional choral art, Chorus America
1993ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming, American Society of Composers and Authors and Publishers
1993F. Melius Christiansen Award, Minnesota American Choral Directors Association
1992ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming, American Society of Composers, and Publishers. Given for the Dale Warland Singers' commitment to the performance of music written after 1972
1992Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence, Chorus America. The Dale Warland Singers was the first chorus to be given this honor.
1984Study Grant to research English choral literature at Oxford, Cambridge and London. Bush Foundation, St. Paul, Minnesota
1981Study Grant, Minnesota State Arts Board, for study with Robert Shaw
1981Recording Panel, National Endowment for the Arts
1980Choral Panel, National Endowment for the Arts
1971Ford Foundation Study Grant for professional study, Cambridge, England
1958   Choral Conducting Scholarship, Tanglewood Summer Music Festival

The American Prize Dale Warland Award in Choral Conducting celebrates the artistry of one of the greatest choral conductors of his generation. Dale Warland has made an indelible impression on contemporary choral music, nationally and internationally. In a quarter-century with The Dale Warland Singers (DWS), he shaped an all-professional a cappella ensemble lauded for its exquisite sound, technical finesse, and stylistic range. From that platform, Warland offered stunning performances of traditional repertory and premiered commissioned works on national and international stages.

On July 4, 2021, Dale Warland was the recipient of The American Prize National Arts Award for Lifetime AchievementThe American Prize is delighted to share the legacy of this legendary artist through the re-naming of the choral conducting award in his honor. 

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