Society of Peabody Alumni

Citation for the Johns Hopkins University Alumni Association Heritage Award

Presented to

Phyllis Bryn-Julson and Donald Sutherland

April 21, 2017

Phyllis Bryn-Julson and Donald Sutherland, independently you have made exceptional contributions to your artistic fields and have provided guidance and mentorship to countless students, but together you will leave a legacy at Peabody that goes well beyond even your noteworthy impact as individuals.

Your service to Peabody, which we honor with this award, is all the more remarkable in light of your prolific international performance careers.

Donald, you have performed solo recitals all over the world; your orchestral performances include the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall; you have performed as conductor and organ soloist at the Kennedy Center, and made frequent radio broadcasts for National Public Radio and BBC World Service.

Phyllis, your performance career across the globe has been marked by major contributions to 20th Century music. In addition to your collaboration with Pierre Boulez, you have premiered and recorded countless important contemporary works, some of which were written for you by composers including Olivier Messiaen, Ned Rorem, and David Del Tredici. Your list of awards is extensive and includes two Grammy nominations.

Collectively, you have devoted 75 years of teaching to Peabody. However, the years do not convey the most important part of the picture. It is the quality and depth of your interactions that have brought us here today. You bring your incredible performance practice into the teaching studio, serve Peabody and Johns Hopkins whenever you are asked, and have given thousands of valuable scores to enhance our music library.

The alumni who nominated you for this award and who shared tributes and memories are a testament to your lasting impact on our students. Even more telling is the fact that both of you received the Johns Hopkins University Alumni Association Excellence in Teaching Award: Phyllis in 1996 and Donald in 1997.  

Phyllis and Donald, for all you have contributed, we are honored to confer upon you the Johns Hopkins University Heritage Award.