Memphis Symphony Orchestra Music Director Mei-Ann Chen was presented the 2012 Helen M. Thompson Award at the 67th National Conference of the League of American Orchestras in Dallas on June 8, 2012. Chen accepted the award via video from her native Taiwan, where she was conducting the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra. In presenting the award, League President and CEO Jesse Rosen called Chen “the embodiment of a 21st-century music director—committed to artistic excellence, willing to test new ideas, highly collaborative and deeply committed to service to community.” The Helen M. Thompson Award, created in 1981, is given to recognize Thompson’s support and encouragement of managers and music directors early in their careers. Nominees must hold the top managerial or music director position at a League member orchestra with no more than five years of combined experience in a top position. The annual award is given to orchestra managers/executive directors and music directors in alternate years.
Posted June 11, 2012
