Teacher of Performing Arts Reuben Blundell received first place in the 2022 American Prize for Orchestral Performance for the album "American Discoveries." The world premiere recording features three works by female twentieth-century American composers and is performed by the Lansdowne Symphony Orchestra conducted by Dr. Blundell. The album has received positive reviews from "Gramophone" magazine, among others, and is being played on classical radio stations across the country.

The three composers are Patricia Alden Beach (1902-1970) of Massachusetts and New York, Alexandra Pierce (1934-2021) of Washington D.C. and California, and Linda Robbins Coleman of Iowa. Dr. Blundell researched their music at the Free Library of Philadelphia's Erwin Fleisher Collection of Orchestral Music, and the album was released on New Focus Recordings.

For more information about Dr. Blundell's award, visit: http://theamericanprize.blogspot.com/2022/09/national-winners-orchestras-2022.html

For more information about the album, visit: https://newfocusrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/american-discoveries