Marilla MacDill Award

About the Marilla MacDill Prize for Teaching Excellence and Community Service:

The Marilla MacDill Award is a cash prize awarded to CMCB faculty members who exhibit excellence in their teaching work at CMCB. The Award is named after Marilla MacDill, who was a Community Music Center Board member at various times from the 1940s to 1960s. She was a talented pianist and a patron of American music and was an unwavering advocate of music education for underrepresented populations. One of her daughters, Jean MacDill Dougherty, is the principal contributor to the Fund which bears other’s name and which supports CMCB’s annual stipends. Jean’s son Richard was elected CMCB board president in September 1996 and served until September 2000. He is still a member of the Corporation today, and currently serving as Board Treasurer.

Prior to her marriage, Mrs. MacDill taught at CMCB, known then as the Boston Music Settlement School. At one point, she played in a 12 piano concert under the direction of Rudolf Ganz at the Boston Garden! While living in Washington, D.C., she headed the Music Department at the Holton-Arms School. After her husband died, she returned to Boston and pursued volunteer activities at CMCB, as well as with the Chromatic Club, New England Opera Theater, and the Students’ House.

Past recipients of the Marilla MacDill Prize:

2021
Akela Franklin, CMS voice and CEP general music, and Javier Rosario, CMS guitar and CEP instrument exploration

2018-2020
not presented

2017
Karl Orvik, violin, ISE and school outreach and Geoffrey Shamu, trumpet

2016
Anthony Douglas, School Outreach

2015
not presented

2014
Eva Kendrick, theory and voice and Vanessa Schukis, School Outreach

2013
Neil Godwin, French horn and ensembles
Jenn Keller, Schools Outreach Assistant Director and dance teacher

2012

Chuck Gabriel, bass and intermediate string ensemble conductor

2011
Janet Underhill, bassoon and wind ensemble conductor

2010
Sam Martinborough, chorus conductor
Mark Miller, orchestra conductor

2008-2009
not presented

2007
Suzanne Clark, schools outreach program
Anita Yu, piano

2006
not presented

2005
Todd Millen, trombone and wind ensembles

2004
Randy McGee, voice

2003
not presented

2002
Caryl Beth Thomas, music therapy program

2001
Patricia Espinosa, early childhood and schools outreach programs

2000
Andreas Brade, percussion
Nancy Lob, music therapy and seniors program

1999
Stephen Yenger, piano
Lucy Joan Sollogub, head of schools outreach program

1998
Jennifer Elowsky, piano
Morton Hyams, schools outreach program

1997
Gerri-Ann Kilduff, music therapy
Katherine Matasy, clarinet

1996
Earl Lawrence, flute
Ann Miklich, violin

1995
Eric Galm, percussion

1994
Wayne Potash, guitar

1993
not presented

1992
Will Fickes, piano
Patricia Griffin, schools outreach program

1991
Drew Hubbard, music therapy
Kayo Iwama, piano