The Association of Wisconsin Symphony Orchestras

Service to Music Award

The Association of Wisconsin Symphony Orchestras awards a Service to Music Award Annually to an individual who has had significant impact on music in Wisconsin for an extended period. Nominations are received from member organizations, board members, and the public. A committee of the board reviews the nominations and makes a recommendation to the board. The board reviews the recommendation and, after discussion, selects the awardee.  

The awardees:

1997 - Frank & Leonore Italiano - LaCrosse

1998 - Dean Amhaus - Madison

1999 - Audrey G. Baird - Board of Directors, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra & ASOL

2000 - Dr. John Downey - UWM, Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra 

2001 - Austin Boncher - Fox Valley

2002 - Henry Pensis - Oshkosh

2003 - Stephen Colburn - Principal Oboe, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra

2004 - Michael G. George - Wisconsin School Music Association, Executive Director

2005 - Andreas Delfs - Music Director, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra

2006 - Barbara Lawton - Lieutenant Govenor, Wisconsin

2007 - JoAnne Krause - AWSO, Past President; Jeri Smith - First AWSO Executive Director

2008 - Chris Abele - Argessy Foundation

2010 - Marvin Rabin - Founder, Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra

2011 - George Tzougros - Executive Director, Wisconsin Arts Board

2012 - Gerald McKenna - Dean of the College of Fine Arts, UW-Stevens Point