Provided

Chris Younghoon Kim leads the Cornell Orchestras.

The Cornell Orchestras, under the direction of Chris Younghoon Kim, associate professor and conductor, garnered the first place in the Collegiate Orchestras division of the annual Adventurous Programming awards given out by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers with the League of American Orchestras. The orchestras were recognized for programming of contemporary music, featuring the works of such contemporary composers as Taylan Cihan, Marcus Karl Maroney, Jesse Jones and Carter Pann in its 2011-12 season.

"This is the fifth year in a row that the Cornell Orchestras have been recognized for this award, and this is also the second time we have garnered the first prize among all collegiate orchestras" said Kim. "To my knowledge, among all the collegiate orchestras that have been recognized, ours is the only orchestra that is comprised of non-music majors."

The Cornell Orchestras, which is comprised of Cornell Symphony Orchestra and Cornell Chamber Orchestra, was one of 24 honored for their "demonstrated exceptional commitment to contemporary composers."

The winners were recognized June 8 at the League of American Orchestras' 67th National Conference in Dallas.

These Adventurous Programming Awards "recognize American orchestras whose past season prominently featured music written within the last 25 years" and whose concerts "stimulate the audience, build the repertoire and strengthen support for new work in this country and abroad. The awards recognize orchestras of all sizes whose most recent programming demonstrates a strong commitment to contemporary music.

"Awards are based not only on the number of works performed which were written in the last 25 years, but also on the variety and creativity of new-music programming and presentation during the season. The independent jury gives special attention to commissioned works and to world, United States and local premieres," according to the League of American Orchestras' website.

In addition, "Fanfare for Brass and Percussion" by Cornell's Steven Stucky, Given Foundation Professor of Music, and "Fandangos" and "Sinfonia No. 4" by Cornell's Roberto Sierra, Old Dominion Professor of Composition, were listed on the awards website as part of the repertoires played by this year's winning orchestras.