Michael Ludwig Nemmers Prize Criteria

Background

Northwestern University administers three Nemmers prizes: the Erwin Plein Nemmers Prize in Mathematics, the Frederic E. Nemmers Prize in Economics, and the newly-created Michael Ludwig Nemmers Prize for Music Composition. The donors intended that each prize be recognized as a leading award in the designated field and honor individuals of outstanding achievement. The prizes in economics and mathematics have been awarded since 1994 and are now established signal honors in those fields. The prize in music composition is expected to follow in this tradition.

The Michael Ludwig Nemmers in Music Composition will be awarded to a classical music composer whose body of work has significantly contributed to the direction of contemporary composition. Composers must be nominated, preferably by recognized authorities in the field of classical music, such as prominent artists, critics, scholars, or administrators, via a letter to the Selection Committee. The winner will receive a prize of $100,000; one of his/her works will be performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Should the winner not have an orchestral composition, appropriate chamber groups from the Symphony will be utilized. The winner must be available for a four-week residency at Northwestern University (the weeks may be non-consecutive) and able to interact with faculty and students. A cash allowance will be provided to the winner to cover expenses connected with the residency.

Criteria

• The Michael Ludwig Nemmers Prize is for outstanding career achievementrather than a specific work.
• The Prize is international in focus and therefore open to any classical composer without regard to citizenship or institutional affiliation.
• Only living composers may be nominated.
• The person receiving the award must be available for a four-week residency at Northwestern University (the weeks may be non-consecutive) and able to interact with faculty and students.
• Nominations should preferably come from recognized experts in the field of classical music.
• Nominations should be made via a letter of no more than two pages and should describe the nominee's accomplishments and qualifications. The letter may include such areas as ways the nominee has distinguished him or herself; recognition the nominee has enjoyed; ways in which the nominee has influenced composition.
• Scores and tapes will not be accepted. Those that are sent will not be returned.
• The names of the nominators will not be made public; however each nominator must list their name and contact information on their letters of nomination. Anonymous nominations will not be accepted.
• Nominators may nominate any number of candidates.
• Typewritten nomination letters are preferred.
• Former or present members of the Northwestern University faculty and employees of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra are not eligible for this prize.
• Nominations must be received by February 1, 2008. Late nominations will not be accepted.
• Nominations may be submitted by email to nemmmersmusic@northwestern.edu or by mail. Email submissions must be emailed from the nominator's professional affiliation. Those wishing to mail nominations may submit them to the following address.
  
  Secretary to the Selection Committee
  Michael Ludwig Nemmers Prize in Music Composition
  Office of the Dean
  School of Music
  Northwestern University
  711 Elgin Road
  Evanston, IL 60208
  
  
• All nominations will be acknowledged.