Juilliard Awarded President's Medal to Steve Reich
The prestigious honor was presented to the legendary composer at the Juilliard School in New York City.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Classical
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Juilliard President Damian Woetzel presented the school's President's Medal to alumnus and composer Steve Reich on September 22, 2026. The recognition preceded a performance of his works titled The New Series | Steve Reich @ 90.
Why it matters
The medal honors individuals who have significantly impacted the arts and served as inspiring role models. This award highlights the ongoing connection between the institution and one of its most influential graduates.
Steve Reich, a 1961 Juilliard graduate, previously received an honorary doctorate from the school in 2009. He also earned a Pulitzer Prize that same year for his composition titled Double Sextet.
The players
Steve Reich
He is an influential American composer who was a pioneer of the minimalist music movement.
Damian Woetzel
He currently serves as the president of the Juilliard School.
Juilliard School
It is a world-renowned performing arts conservatory located in New York City.
The details
The ceremony took place at the Juilliard School within Lincoln Center, where Reich engaged with students and participated in a post-performance Q&A. The medal itself features a design created by Milton Glaser and has been awarded since 2005.
Timeline
Steve Reich graduated from Juilliard in 1961.
The Juilliard President's Medal was established in 2005.
Steve Reich received an honorary Juilliard doctorate in 2009.
Steve Reich received the Juilliard President's Medal on September 22, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The award ceremony reflects the long-standing tradition of academic institutions reinforcing their prestige by formally honoring their most accomplished alumni. This practice serves to bridge historical achievements with the current generation of students training at the school.
Listeners can engage with the works of Steve Reich through the institution's ongoing performance series. The event provided students with rare direct access to the composer through specialized Q&A sessions.
The takeaway
Recognizing foundational figures in music provides current students with a clearer lineage of artistic development. Engaging directly with living legends allows emerging artists to better understand the practical evolution of their craft.
Further reading
Explore more about the local performing arts scene on our Classical page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Broadway World.
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