2026 ASCAP Deems Taylor/Virgil Thomson Awards Announced

The ASCAP Foundation has named winners for the 57th annual Deems Taylor/Virgil Thomson Awards honoring outstanding music books, articles, liner notes, and broadcast programs.

“The authors, journalists, and filmmakers we honor this year illuminate the soul of music creation across concert, rock, r&b, folk, musical theatre, and children’s music, ensuring the stories of music innovators are preserved with the depth and distinction they deserve”

Pop Music Broadcast Award Winners

Isaac Gale, Ryan Olson, and David McMurry win for their documentary film Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted, released in 2025.

Concert Music Broadcast Award Winner

Gail Wein wins for her podcast series Classical Gas, produced by Classical Voice North America.

Special Recognition Award

Rick Beato receives the award for his 2025 YouTube series Everything Music exploring music, technology, and industry challenges.

Pop Music Book Awards

Gayle Wald wins for This Is Rhythm: Ella Jenkins, Children’s Music, and the Long Civil Rights Movement, published by University of Chicago Press.

Concert Music Book Awards

Lucy Caplan wins for Dreaming in Ensemble: How Black Artists Transformed American Opera, published by Harvard University Press.

Article Winners

Ben Sisario wins for The ‘Race Against Time’ to Save Music Legends’ Decaying Tapes, published by The New York Times.