FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW YORK, Oct. 28, 2019 — The ASCAP Foundation announces that multi-platinum recording artist, songwriter and social justice activist Natalie Merchant will be recognized with The ASCAP Foundation Champion Award and composer, conductor, artistic director and founder of the Young People’s Chorus of New York City (YPC) Francisco Núñez will accept The ASCAP Foundation Life in Music Award at The ASCAP Foundation Honors on Wednesday, December 11 in New York City.

On Sunday morning, May 20, Francisco J. Núñez, artistic director and founder of the Young People’s Chorus of New York City, was presented with Gettysburg College’s Honorary Doctor of Music degree at the Gettysburg College commencement ceremony of the Class of 2018 – 608 graduates in all.

Gettysburg College Provost Christopher Zappe presented the honorary degree to Mr. Núñez, citing him as “a leading proponent of the significant role that music can play in achieving diversity and equality in today’s society.”  “You are an example,” Provost Zappe said, “of what can be accomplished when young people from different backgrounds are actively encouraged to appreciate and embrace the differences in themselves and others through music.”

Musical America has named Francisco J. Núñez, artistic director and founder of the Young People’s Chorus of New York City, its 2018 Educator of the Year. Mr. Núñez is among five recipients recognized by Musical America for their artistic excellence and achievements in the arts for 2018. The others are Andris Nelsons (Artist of the Year), Mason Bates (Composer of the Year), Augustin Hadelich (Instrumentalist of the Year), and Sondra Radvanovsky (Vocalist of the Year).  

on September 20, 2011, Francisco J. Núñez was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship as choral conductor and composer. Núñez's award is the first for a Kodaly-inspired music educator in the history of MacArthur Fellowships.

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Francisco Núñez, artistic director and founder of the Young People’s Chorus of New York discusses receiving 2011 MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship.

A Chicago skyscraper architect, a New York City children's choir founder and a North Carolina scientist who studies how to prevent sports-related concussions are among the latest 22 recipients of the no-strings-attached MacArthur Foundation "genius grants."