Atlanta Chamber Players Founder Wins Governor's Award for the Arts & Humanities
Peace and the ACP are Recognized for Their Contributions to the State of Georgia
ATLANTA, October 5, 2016 – Earlier today, the pianist, advocate, and innovator Paula Peace was honored in a ceremony at the State Capitol Building as one of the recipients of the 2016 Governor’s Awards for the Arts & Humanities.
Ms. Peace was lauded for her work founding and sustaining the Atlanta Chamber Players (ACP) for 38 years, beginning in 1976 when she co-founded the ensemble. In particular, her work founding and leading the Rapido!® 14-Day Composition Contest with the Antinori Foundation was highlighted as something that has brought national attention to Georgia. Under her direction, the Rapido! contest grew from a regional competition to one that encompasses all 50 states and includes 5 chamber ensemble organizations in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Detroit, and San Francisco.
At the awards ceremony, the ACP’s Vice President Jim Throckmorton said “Because of Paula's pioneering artistic leadership of almost 40 years, Georgia can celebrate its first nationally recognized chamber music ensemble.” His remarks were followed by a musical tribute to Ms. Peace, an excerpt from César Frank’s Violin Sonata No.1 performed by violinist Helen Hwaya Kim and ACP’s Artistic Director Elizabeth Pridgen. Ms. Pridgen, who is an accomplished pianist, took over the reigns of the ACP after Ms. Peace retired in 2014.
After the ceremony, Ms. Pridgen reflected on the recognition:
Ms. Peace was lauded for her work founding and sustaining the Atlanta Chamber Players (ACP) for 38 years, beginning in 1976 when she co-founded the ensemble. In particular, her work founding and leading the Rapido!® 14-Day Composition Contest with the Antinori Foundation was highlighted as something that has brought national attention to Georgia. Under her direction, the Rapido! contest grew from a regional competition to one that encompasses all 50 states and includes 5 chamber ensemble organizations in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Detroit, and San Francisco.
At the awards ceremony, the ACP’s Vice President Jim Throckmorton said “Because of Paula's pioneering artistic leadership of almost 40 years, Georgia can celebrate its first nationally recognized chamber music ensemble.” His remarks were followed by a musical tribute to Ms. Peace, an excerpt from César Frank’s Violin Sonata No.1 performed by violinist Helen Hwaya Kim and ACP’s Artistic Director Elizabeth Pridgen. Ms. Pridgen, who is an accomplished pianist, took over the reigns of the ACP after Ms. Peace retired in 2014.
After the ceremony, Ms. Pridgen reflected on the recognition:
“Paula Peace is truly the Grand Dame of chamber music in Atlanta, and her legacy stretches across the country with the innovative programs she spear-headed, including the Rapido! Composition Contest. Paula has been a mentor and a role model for myself and countless other musicians in the region. The Board members and musicians, past and present, of the Atlanta Chamber Players were thrilled to watch her receive this well deserved Award today, recognizing her contribution to music and to our community.”
Paula Peace herself stated
“I am so honored that Governor Deal has recognized the importance of chamber music in Georgia with this award. I am humbled by this honor, and I am overjoyed at what the Atlanta Chamber Players continue to accomplish under the leadership of Artistic Director Elizabeth Pridgen. In particular, founding the Rapido! Composition Contest alongside the Antinori Foundation is my proudest legacy, and to hear it celebrated today in front of an assemblage of artists and leaders from all across Georgia is a memory I will always cherish.”
The Governor’s Awards for the Arts and Humanities pay tribute to the most distinguished citizens and organizations that have demonstrated a lifetime commitment to work in these fields, demonstrating excellence and service. The Awards are presented by the Office of the Governor in partnership with the Georgia Council for the Arts and Georgia Humanities.
See the AtlantaMusicCritic.com interview with Ms. Peace:
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