“Peter Boyer, an American composer best known for his Grammy Award-nominated work Ellis Island: The Dream of America, for actors and orchestra, has been chosen as one of the recipients of the 2019 Ellis Island Medal of Honor,” reports Sarah Shay in Wednesday’s (3/6) Musical America (subscription required). “Established in 1986, the Medal of Honor is presented by the Ellis Island Honors Society to ‘individuals whose accomplishments in their field and inspired service to our nation are cause for celebration.’ Boyer, 48, is a native of Providence, RI, where he began composing at the age of 15. After graduating with a BA from Rhode Island College, he completed his master and doctoral work at the Hartt School at the University of Hartford. His compositions have been performed by more than 150 orchestras. In addition to his work for the concert hall, Boyer is active in the film and television music industry, particularly as an orchestrator.” He currently holds a chair in music at Claremont Graduate University in California. Other 2019 Medalists include Congressman Adam Schiff, performer Paula Abdul, CNN’s Sanjay Gupta, and several corporate leaders. “They will all receive their awards on Saturday, May 11, 2019, at Ellis Island.”
Posted March 7, 2019
