Other entertainment industries celebrate its top performers with GRAMMY or Academy Awards, but the print music industry celebrates its best with the Paul Revere Awards. 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. Presented by the Music Publishers Association of the United States, the awards recognize outstanding examples of graphic design, with an emphasis on usability for orchestras, educators, libraries and individuals. The 2019-2020 winning titles were delayed due to the pandemic but were announced via an online ceremony on April 1, 2021.
Hal Leonard won three first prize honors in three different categories. Their hardcover Jimi Hendrix Complete Scoresbook with purple velvet-covered protective box took the top prize in Book Design, while their guitar transcriptions of blues legend Big Bill Broonzy won for best Guitar Music Notesetting. Their violin collection Movie Themes for Classical Players took first prize in the Solos with Accompaniment category. They also took home a third-place prize in the Keyboard Music Notesetting category with their 2 piano, 4 hands edition of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.
Hal Leonard Executive Vice President Jeff Schroedl commented, “We love seeing our employees honored for being the best at what they do. It’s nice to see their commitment and dedication to printed music recognized and rewarded with this long-standing tradition.”
Hal Leonard Complete List of Paul Revere Award Placings for 2019-2020:
Book Design
1st Prize: Jimi Hendrix – The Complete Scores
Production Coordinator: Jim Schustedt
Guitar Music Notesetting
1st Prize: Big Bill Broonzy Guitar Collection
Notesetter: Charlie Jarvis
Production Coordinator: Jim Schustedt
Solos with Accompaniment
1st Prize: Movie Themes for Classical Players – Violin and Piano
Notesetter: Kim Brand
Production Coordinator: Joshua Parman
Keyboard Music Notesetting
3rd place: George Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue – 2 Pianos, 4 Hands. Notesetters: Robert Tournon and Sulvie Tournon; Production Coordinator: Brendan Fox
In Today’s Music Business… Time-Tested Practices Still Serve You Well