Pulitzer Prize for Music

First awarded in 1943 to William Schumann for his Secular Cantata No. 2: A Free Song, which was premiered by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Pulitzer Prize for Music recognizes “a distinguished musical composition by an American” composer. Two of New England Conservatory’s past leaders won the Pulitzer Prize for Music: Quincy Porter in 1954 and Gunther Schuller in 1994.