The Steven Schick Prize for Acts of Musical Imagination and Excellence

The La Jolla Symphony and Chorus Association celebrates the innovative and impactful musical contributions of Maestro Steven Schick, who has now transitioned into the role of Musical Director Emeritus.

In his honor, we establish a $100,000 fund to support ten annual $10,000 Prizes bearing his name. Each year, the Steven Schick Prize is awarded to an imaginative musical project or performance that reflects the values of artistically adventurous creation-particularly those that engage with the social, community, and bi-national dimensions of our region, as well as our connection to the natural world.

This Prize supports the creation of work that complements LJS&C’s mission to perform a bold blend of contemporary and traditional music. Through it, we aim to expand opportunities for our diverse artistic community to join this movement, celebrating the spirit of innovation that Maestro Schick so powerfully exemplifies.

The La Jolla Symphony & Chorus presented the inaugural Steven Schick Prize to local composer and pipa player Wu Man. She has premiered hundreds of new works for the pipa, while spearheading multimedia projects to both preserve and raise awareness of China’s ancient musical traditions.

“I was thrilled to hear that the great pipa player Wu Man was the first recipient of the Steven Schick Prize for Acts of Musical Imagination and Excellence. A San Diego resident, Wu Man is one of the world’s greatest artists on any instrument, and through her excellence and imagination has raised the level of awareness for the pipa and for the music she has championed. Simply put, the world is a better place because of Wu Man.” – Steven Schick