marin_alsopUpdate: The Harvard Review reports on the conversation with Alsop, as she received the distinguished Luise Vosgerchian Teaching Award

Original post:  Internationally acclaimed conductor Marin Alsop will be at Harvard University on March 24 to receive the Luise Vosgerchian Teaching Award.

That Alsop is being honored is no surprise.  Her innovative programming, educational and outreach efforts in Baltimore, and championing contemporary music with the Cabrillo Festival are all noteworthy.  She has also had the awkward-at-times honor of being the first woman to help open opportunities for others.

 

Her firsts include:

  • First woman to be awarded the Koussevitzky Conducting Prize from the Tanglewood Music Center (1989)
  • First conductor to receive a MacArthur Fellowship (2005)
  • First woman named Music Director of a Major American Symphony – the Baltimore Orchestra (2007)
  • The only classical musician to be named in The Guardian’s “Top 10 women” in honor of International Women’s Day in 2011.
  • First woman to conduct the BBC’s Last Night of the Proms (2013)

Here is Alsop’s speech at the final night of the 2013 Proms:

For more about Alsop, her upbringing, education, and career visit the Makers website for an excellent documentary.

Before the award ceremony on Tuesday Alsop will engage with the audience in a conversation about her work.  The event will be held at 4pm and admission is free – seating is first come, first serve, so plan to arrive early!  More information here.