Howard Swan This prestigious lifetime achievement award given to this conductor is named in honor of Dr. Howard S. Swan who was known as the “Dean of American Choral Directors.” Howard Swan’s life spanned almost the entire twentieth century. It is nearly impossible to overemphasize the far-reaching effects of his artistic command, powerful personality, and humanitarian spirit. After beginning his career as a teacher at Eagle Rock High School, Dr. Swan became the choral director at Occidental College in Los Angeles, a position he held from 1934-1971. The Occidental College Glee Clubs under his direction gained national stature, performing with exquisite tone quality and electric communication. Dr. Swan became the mentor of multiple generations of choral directors. Conductors from all over the country would come to study with him at Oxy, and subsequently at Cal State Fullerton and UC Irvine. His integrity, high view of the artistic/human role of the choral director, and compelling ability to challenge and inspire students and colleagues to greater vision and higher standards awakened the collective conscience of the choral world. It is for this reason that the book containing his writings and speeches is entitled, Conscience of a Profession: Howard Swan, Choral Director and Teacher.
Howard S. Swan Award Recipients
At the CCDA January Board Meeting, two candidates are nominated for the Swan Award. These names are submitted and voted upon by the past presidents. At the time of the nomination, the candidates are to be retired from full-time conducting, having spent the major portion of careers in California.
- 1985 J. Russell Bodley
- 1986 Sam Barkman
- 1987 Ben Denton
- 1988 Eleanor McKnight Haines
- 1989 Rudy Saltzer
- 1990 David Thorsen
- 1991 Art Huff
- 1992 Frank Pooler
- 1993 Jane Hardester
- 1994 Robert Holmes
- 1995 Marjorie Remington
- 1996 Richard Hansen
- 1997 Byron McGilvray
- 1998 Charles Hirt
- 1999 Dean Semple
- 2000 William Hatcher
- 2001 Perla Warren
- 2002 Loren Wiebe
- 2003 Paul Salamunovich
- 2004 Ginger Covert Colla
- 2005 Linda Allen Anderson
- 2006 Shirley Nute
- 2007 Dan Earl
- 2008 Charlene Archibeque
- 2009 Polly Vasché
- 2010 Carole Glenn & Sheldon Disrud
- 2011 William Hall
- 2012 Gary Lamprecht
- 2013 Richard Messenger
- 2014 Albert McNeil
- 2015 William Dehning
- 2016 Ron Kean
- 2017 John Alexander
- 2018 Linda Lovaas & Vance George
- 2019 Rod Eichenberger
- 2020 Anna Hamre & Joseph Huszti