PULLMAN, Wash. — Gregory Yasinitsky, professor of jazz studies and saxophone at Washington State University, has been chosen to receive an American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers award for original music compositions.
ASCAP is an organization that collects royalties on behalf of composers for performances of their works around the world. The ASCA PLU$ Standard Award is given to assist and encourage writers of serious music. The award focuses on recognizing writers of classical or jazz music primarily for educational ensembles, rather than popular music, Yasinitsky said.
An independent panel, made up of musicians and music educators from around the nation, grant these awards. The panel determines the “unique prestige value” of each writer’s catalog of original compositions as well as performances of those works. Yasinitsky, who has won the award for more than 11 years, said his works are usually performed at universities or public schools.
Yasinitsky said he is unsure how he will use the cash award, but always tries to put it towards music. The money is given in increments throughout the year.
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