Exhibit Showcases Paul Revere Awards

Staff of the Gorno Memorial Music (CCM) Library have created an exhibit of the first place winners of the Paul Revere Awards for Graphic Excellence. The exhibit will be available for viewing through the end of October on the 4th floor of Blegen Library.

The Paul Revere Awards for Graphic Excellence are announced each June by the Music Publishers Association. Established in 1964 in honor of the 200th anniversary of the first music engraving in America by the famous silversmith, Paul Revere, these awards were initially given as a means of alerting the music industry to the advantages of providing the best possible publication from the viewpoint of engraving, graphic arts, and production standards. At that time, the music typewriter was in its infancy and not a thought had been given to computerization.

Each year 25-30 publishers submit entries, and awards are given to about 30 of the 125-130 publications received. The judging panel usually includes a well-known music editor or musical personage, a graphic designer and a music librarian. Award certificates are given not only to the publisher but, where applicable, to the engraver, cover designer, book designer, production coordinator and printer. As is fitting with the choice of the namesake Paul Revere, the cartouche used on the award certificates is one which was designed by Revere himself.

The Music Publishers Association was founded in 1895 and is the oldest music trade organization in the United States, fostering communication among publishers, dealers, music educators, and all musicians and lovers of music. The non-profit association addresses itself to issues pertaining to every area of music publishing with an emphasis on the issues relevant to the publishers of print music for concert and educational purposes.

More information about the 2012 Paul Revere Awards is available online.