Book AwardIrving Lowens Memorial Book Award
Irving Lowens' research and writing in American music not only form a cornerstone for American music history, but also are largely responsible for making the study of American music a respected and thriving area in musicology today. As the principal founder of the Sonneck Society (now the Society for American Music) and its first president from 1974 to 1981, Irving Lowens has often been regarded as the guiding spirit for the Society. During his remarkable career he became distinguished in music criticism, musicology, and music librarianship. In his positions as music critic for the Washington Star (1953-1977), music reference librarian at the Library of Congress (1962-1966), and as Dean at the Peabody Conservatory of Music (1977-1982), he served in turn the public, the scholar, and the music student. The Irving Lowens Memorial Book Award commemorates this remarkable man and his contributions to the study of American music.
This award consists of a plaque and cash award given annually for a book that makes an outstanding contribution to American music studies.
The Society annually awards the prize for the book judged as the best in the field of American music. The Lowens Book Award represents our most prestigious honor and carries with it a monetary prize as well as a citation which is presented at the National Conference in the Spring.
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