ASCAP Foundation Names 2026 Deems Taylor/Virgil Thomson Award Recipients: Full List
Billboard ·
Winners include studies of such wide-ranging musicians as composer John Williams and rock legends Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention.
The winners of the 57th annual ASCAP Foundation Deems Taylor/Virgil Thomson Awards — bestowed upon outstanding books, articles, liner notes and broadcast programs on the subject of music — have been announced. Winners include fresh looks at such wide-ranging musicians as composer John Williams , children’s music star Ella Jenkins , R&B cult hero Swamp Dogg and rock legends Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention.
“The authors, journalists, and filmmakers we honor this year illuminate the soul of music creation across concert, rock, R&B, folk, musical theatre, and children’s music, ensuring the stories of music innovators are preserved with the depth and distinction they deserve,” Patricia Leonard , executive director of The ASCAP Foundation, said in a statement.
The 2026 award recipients are as follows:
A Special Recognition Award in the above category is given to Rick Beato for his 2025 YouTube series “Everything Music,” which explores music, technology and issues facing music creators in today’s industry.
The Deems Taylor/Virgil Thomson Book Awards in pop music are presented to:
The Deems Taylor/Virgil Thomson Book Awards in concert music go to:
A Special Recognition Award in the above category is given to Steven C. Smith for Hitchcock and Herrmann: The Friendship and Film Scores that Changed Cinema , published by Oxford University Press.
The Deems Taylor/Virgil Thomson Award recipients for articles published in 2025 are:
A Special Recognition Award in the above category is given to Max Keller for “Does It Matter How a Cello Is Held? It’s a Centuries-Old Debate,“ published by The New York Times .
Established in 1967 to honor the memory of composer, critic, commentator and former ASCAP president Deems Taylor, The ASCAP Foundation Deems Taylor/Virgil Thomson Awards are made possible by the support of the Virgil Thomson Foundation. The judging panel is comprised of ASCAP members Robert William “Robbie” Fulks, Julie Flanders, Carman Moore and Betsy Schramm. Jim Steinblatt provided professional guidance and advice.
Founded in 1975, The ASCAP Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization established as a separate entity from ASCAP.