March 26, 2001

An annual composition prize designed to attract young composers from around the world has been created in the School of Fine Arts, thanks to a gift from Raymond and Beverly Sackler. The Raymond and Beverly Sackler Composition Prize of $15,000 will be awarded annually for the best new work by a young composer. Income from an endowment will be used for the annual prize.

"The prize will become a highly sought-after and recognized composition award," says David Woods, dean of the School of Fine Arts. "We are pleased that it will provide visibility for the UConn Department of Music in conservatories and schools of music throughout the world."

The competition for the best new work will rotate among specific areas of the musical arts. These areas include: jazz ensemble, choir, opera, wind ensemble, orchestra, children's choir, chamber ensemble, solo instrument, voice, electronic music, and other musical genres as approved by the dean of fine arts. Members of the music faculty and the department head will select a compositiona l category.

Three nationally known musicians will be selected by the School of Fine Arts to judge the competition each year. The winning composition will be performed by UConn students - who will have worked with the composer - at two premier performances: one at the Storrs campus and one at the Stamford campus. The composer will receive the Raymond and Beverly Sackler Composition Prize at one of the performances.

The Sacklers, Connecticut residents, are longtime generous supporters of philanthropic activities, particularly in the areas of art, medicine, biological and natural sciences, mathematics and archaeology.

Sherry Fisher