Miller Theatre at Columbia University School of the Arts Awarded 2013 Chamber Music America / ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming

Chamber Music America announced Monday that Miller Theatre at Columbia University is a winner of the 2013 CMA/ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming. Miller Theatre, which has earned international renown for its support of new music and innovative programming, won in the large presenter category for contemporary music. In all, Miller is one of five presenters that will be recognized at the awards ceremony on January 20, 2013 as part of Chamber Music America's 35th annual conference.

"I am thrilled and honored that the jury chose Miller Theatre as this year's winner," says Executive Director Melissa Smey. The press release noted that panelists were particularly impressed with recent presentations in the theater's ongoing Composer Portraits series as well as the new Pop-Up Concerts, a series inaugurated by Smey last spring. "This award is particularly meaningful to me because the selection is based not only on the programming but also its ability to reach and build new audiences, which is a cornerstone of Miller's mission, and a personal passion of mine."

Established jointly by Chamber Music America and ASCAP, the annual awards recognize U.S.-based professional ensembles and presenters for distinctive programming of music composed within the past 25 years. The recipients, chosen by an independent panel of judges, were evaluated on the basis of their programming and innovations in attracting audiences to performances of new music.

In the announcement, Chamber Music America's CEO, Margaret M. Lioi, noted that the winners shared a commitment to "introducing [new] music to audiences around the country," saying that the awardees' "accomplishments in this area are particularly inspiring."

The theater won the award twice previously, in 2002 and 2006.