Conductor JoAnn Falletta Receives Eroica Award for Outstanding Service to Music

The award is given by MOLA: an Association of Music Performance Librarians in recognition of Falletta's decades of leadership and advocacy

MOLA: an Association of Music Performance Librarians is an association that represents more than 300 organizations. MOLA recently named conductor JoAnn Falletta as the recipient of the Eroica Award for Outstanding Service to Music — making her only the second recipient of the award. In its first year, it was given to violinist Jennifer Koh.

As well as celebrating Falletta's many years of leadership and service, the purpose of the award is to recognize the work of a musician who breaks new ground, mentors younger musicians, or champions the work of underrepresented composers.

MOLA cited the trailblazing nature of Falletta's conducting career as a contributing factor to awarding the prize. In the 1999/2000 season, Falletta became the first woman to lead a major American ensemble when she was appointed as the Music Director of the Buffalo Philharmonic.

In addition, she has also helped to pave the way for female conductors to follow in her footsteps, by leading seminars and helping to create mentoring opportunities for rising young women in the field.

"This award means so much to me," Falletta said. "I think that many of you know how much I admire MOLA and the work that you do — how much I admire your scholarship, your wisdom, your understanding of music, your support and appreciation of each other, and your incredible patience with all of us."

"JoAnn Falletta’s incredible leadership on and off the podium, her mentoring and advocacy for young conductors and musicians, and her selfless work helping the Hawaii Symphony through their reorganization, are just a few of the reasons that she received a record number of nominations from our MOLA member librarians," said Courtney Secoy Cohen, MOLA president.

"Her dedication to championing underserved composers and gracious interactions with everyone she works with have enriched the classical music world, and we are all so grateful for her altruistic contributions to help ensure the lasting future of classical music."