Society of Peabody Alumni
Citation for the Peabody Alumni Achievement Award Recognizing Outstanding Contributions to Music in Maryland
Presented to
Ray Sprenkle
April 25, 2004
Ray Sprenkle, you came to Peabody in 1966 and proceeded to earn the “Triple Crown:” a Bachelors of Music in 1970, a Masters of Music in 1971, and a Doctorate of Musical Arts in 1979, all in composition.
You were invited to join the theory faculty at Peabody in 1973 and the history faculty in 1976. In 1986 you received the Peabody Student Council’s “Faculty Award” for your fine work and dedication as a teacher before a cheering, foot-stomping, standing ovation from students and faculty alike.
You have been choirmaster at Second Presbyterian since 1976 and now are also the Music Director there.
Beginning in 1981 and continuing for over 10 years, you produced and hosted a radio show called “On Music” for both WBJC and WJHU.
You have lectured at the Mount Gretna Music Festival, the Resident’s Programs at the Smithsonian, and Johns Hopkins University for the Masters of Liberal Arts Program. You have also been a popular speaker at Johns Hopkins alumni events including a University convocation in Los Angeles.
You have written numerous magazine articles on musical topics; published a biography of Louis Cheslock, and written a book on the Battle of Antietam.
And those were all your “extra” jobs; to support the profession you really dedicate your life to: composition.
Music you have written has been performed regionally, nationally and internationally; been published by Boosey and Hawkes; and recorded on Crystal Records.
Your list of commissions is long and number of performance too many to count.
Maryland is the largest benefactor of your talents and your music has been performed by virtually every musical organization in the region.
Ray, you have made classical music accessible to thousands of people in the classroom, in print, on air and in concert. And your music is sure to be heard throughout the state, and far beyond, for years to come.
The Peabody Chapter of the Johns Hopkins University Alumni Association is honored to confer upon you the Peabody Alumni Achievement Award Recognizing Outstanding Contributions to Music in Maryland.