On Friday, October 20, 2023, the Schiller Institute NYC Chorus received the Motif Awards Fine Arts Medal for Humanitarianism and Excellence in the Arts. 

The awards ceremony was held at Carnegie Hall (Weill Recital Hall) and was attended by many members and friends of our chorus as well as Board members. Other speakers and recipients at the ceremony included Honorable Judy Cheng Hopkins, United Nations Assistant Secretary General, advocating against child abuse worldwide; Dr. James R. Downing, President & CEO of St. Jude Children’s Hospital, a pioneer in curing childhood cancers; and others. The award was accepted by Jennifer Pearl, Chair of the Board of the SI NYC Chorus.

Here is an excerpt from the nomination letter from Motif Awards:  “Your choir's humanitarian endeavors have left an indelible mark, offering solace and inspiration to individuals and communities alike. Through the universal language of music, you have fostered unity, championed diversity, and disseminated messages of hope, compassion, and understanding. Your dedication to utilizing music as a conduit for healing, uplifting, and bridging divides is nothing short of commendable.”