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