SAM Honorary Members
Each year the Board of Trustees recognizes a well-known, prominent senior figure who has made important contributions to the field of American music by granting an honorary membership. This honor is signified by a certificate and public ceremony that confers life membership in the Society, with all rights and benefits.
Click on the links for more information about the Society's honorary members.
2007: Thomas Hampson
2006: Muhal Richard Abrams
2005: Pauline Oliveros
2004: Chris Strachwitz
2003: Mike Seeger
2002: Loretta Lynn
2001: Hollis Urban Liverpool
2000: Oscar Peterson
2000: Georgia
Sea Island Singers
1999: Van Cliburn
1998: Libby Larsen
1997: Gerard Schwarz
1996: Leonard Slatkin
1995: Gunther Schuller
1994: Max Roach
1993: Lou Harrison*
1992: John Cage
1991: Frederick Fennell*
1989: Bill Monroe
1988: Carleton Sprague Smith
1987: H. Earle Johnson*
1986: Vera Brodsky Lawrence
1985: Gilbert Chase
1984: Irving Lowens*
1983: Otto E. Albrecht*
1982: Wilfrid Mellers
1982: Virgil Thomson*
1981: Howard
Hanson*
1980: Lester S. Levy*
1979: Nicolas Slonimsky*
* Deceased