Virginia Symphony’s JoAnn Falletta elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences

April 22, 2016

JoAnn Falletta, music director of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Other newly elected academy members include professor and autism spokeswoman Temple Grandin; jazz composer Wayne Shorter; Jacqueline Hewitt, the astrophysicist who discovered Einstein rings; and nuclear physicist Barbara Jacak.

As expressed in its 1780 charter, the academy’s purpose is “to cultivate every art and science which may tend to advance the interest, honor, dignity, and happiness of a free, independent, and virtuous people.”

“I am delighted and deeply honored to join such illustrious colleagues at the Academy,” Falletta said in a statement. “The election is a resounding expression of the validity of classical music and symphony orchestras in our country.”

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers has honored Falletta with 12 ASCAP awards, recognizing her work as a conductor, communicator, recording artist, audience builder, champion of American composers and distinguished musical citizen.

The induction ceremony will take place on Oct. 8 in Cambridge, Mass.