The Hermitage Artist Retreat [on Florida's Gulf Coast] and its partner, the Philadelphia-based Greenfield Foundation,
have announced that the 2015 Greenfield Prize will be awarded this year in music to composer Bobby Previte. The
award includes a $30,000 commission for a new work to be realized within two years. In addition, the winner is given
residency time at the Hermitage Artist Retreat, a performance by a professional arts organization on the two-year
anniversary of the award, and assistance with future performances for the work.
"Winning a prize is always good," remarked Previte. "Winning a prize to create music for great musicians is better.
Winning a prize and writing that music on a beach will be . . . heaven!"
Three semifinalists will each receive $1,000 along with a Hermitage residency: composers Don Byron, Tyshawn Sorey,
and Julia Wolfe.
The mission of the Greenfield Prize is to bring into the world a work of art that will have a significant impact on the
broader or artistic culture. Serving on the jury that selected Previte were Linda Golding, former president of Boosey
& Hawkes music publishers; Pulitzer Prize–winning composer David Lang; and Anne Ewers, president and CEO of
Philadelphia's Kimmel Center.
The annual Greenfield Prize is awarded in three rotating arts disciplines. In addition to music, the award is also given in
drama and visual art. [According to some Greenfield Foundation material, the third discipline is not visual art but
rather a "wild card."] Previous winners in music include composers Eve Beglarian and Vijay Iyer.
The article above was derived from and attributed to a press release; I edited it slightly in turn. The photo is from
the Greenfield Prize website.
