Tony Small to be Honored at Anderson University Homecoming

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Anderson, Ind. — Anderson University’s School of Music, Theatre, and Dance will honor Tony Small, a nationally acclaimed composer and artistic director, as the 2021 recipient of the Outstanding Music Alumnus Award. The distinguished award will be presented during AU’s “Called to Soar” Homecoming Concert at Park Place Church on Friday, October 8, at 7:30 p.m.  

Small will perform alongside the AU Chorale, Vola Voce (formerly Women’s Chorus), and Vox Corvi (formerly Valley Voices), conducted by Theo Hicks. The concert is free and open to the public.

Tony Small has received national awards as composer/lyricist across four genres (jazz, gospel, classical, and musical theatre) and served as artistic director for STEAM (STEM + Arts) youth programs in four major cities: Chicago, Indianapolis, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. He was the first to be commissioned by the Sultanate of Oman and the Smithsonian to write an opera introducing the music traditions of Oman and Zanzibar expressed through African and Arabic interdisciplinary arts.  

Small’s awards include the 2000 White House Millennium Composer/Playwright Residency, 2007 Maryland State Arts Composer Award, 2009 and 2012 National Meet the Composer Award, 2008 American Composer Forum Award, and 2008 Stellar Award for “I Am” recorded by gospel artist Maurette Brown Clark.

As the 24th recipient of the Outstanding Music Alumnus Award, Small joins the ranks of other distinguished AU music alumni who have already received the award, including Bill and Gloria Gaither, Sandi Patty, and Jon McLaughlin.

Anderson University is on a mission to educate students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 60 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 20 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult and graduate programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized among top colleges for its business, computer science, cybersecurity, dance, engineering, nursing, and teacher education programs. Anderson University was established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God.