American Prize Citation Awarded to Maestro Butts

Word has been received from The American Prize that our Maestro, Artistic Director and Founder, Dr. Robert W. Butts, has been awarded a special citation for 2011 for Excellence in Music Education, Enrichment and Outreach.

In acknowledging Maestro Butts’s contributions, the competition organizers wrote: “As your work demonstrates, excellence in music education, enrichment and outreach is not confined to the classroom or to the applied music studio. Conductors, whether leading school ensembles, community or professional organizations, have a major role in education, teaching not only the performers they lead, but also audiences of all ages, boards, donors, media, parents and the community at large. In fact, everyone who comes in contact with an ensemble and its musical leadership benefits from the learning the conductor facilitates. As we witness more and more music programs in peril, as the study of (and knowledge of) music becomes more and more of an afterthought in many communities, it is conductors such as you who assume a greater role than ever before in bringing the value of this great art to the attention of American society…Congratulations.”

Dr. Butts was also a finalist for opera and orchestra conducting excellence and received the special 2011 American Prize, described above, as well. Further honors from The American Prize have been bestowed upon The Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey, which was named one of the top three community orchestras in the United States.

The American Prize was founded from the belief that much excellent music being made in this country goes unrecognized and unheralded, not only in our major cities, but all across the country: in schools, religious institutions, and by community and professional musicians. Chief Judge of the competition, David Katz, said:   “Many artists will likely never win a Grammy award, or a Pulitzer, or a Tony, or perhaps even be nominated. But that does not mean that they are not worthy of recognition and award. Quality in the arts is not limited to the coasts, or to the familiar names, or only to graduates of the most famous schools. It is on view all over the United States, if you take the time to look for it. The American Prize exists to encourage and herald that excellence.”

Maestro Butts, who founded BONJ in 1996, has conducted acclaimed orchestra and opera performances throughout the metropolitan area and in Germany, Russia and cities across Eastern Europe. He received his doctorate from The American Conservatory of Music and is on the faculties of Montclair State University and The College of Saint Elizabeth.

Anne Plaut, Publicity Chairperson