Composer Joan Tower will receive the League of American Orchestras’ highest honor, the Gold Baton, at the League’s 74th National Conference, June 3-5, 2019 in Nashville. Tower has a strong connection to Nashville: This year’s Conference host, the Nashville Symphony, recorded her work Made in America with conductor Leonard Slatkin at Schermerhorn Symphony Center, just prior to the venue’s opening in 2006. The recording won three Grammy Awards in 2008. Tower’s widely performed score was commissioned by a consortium of 65 orchestras through the League’s Ford Made in America initiative, the largest orchestral commissioning consortium in the country’s history. Tower is currently in the midst of celebrating her 80th birthday year, with numerous concerts and events throughout this season. Tower will receive the Gold Baton during the Conference’s Closing Plenary on June 5 at the Omni Hotel Nashville. Given annually since 1948 for distinguished service to America’s orchestras, the Gold Baton recognizes individuals and institutions whose far-reaching contributions to the field serve to champion and advance the cause of orchestras and symphonic music throughout the country. Click here to learn more about the Conference, including the Gold Baton presentation and hotel information.
Posted February 27, 2019