By: Jessica L.

In a significant appointment for the national music community, distinguished musician and scholar Xue Ding has been selected to serve as a judge for the national finals of The American Prize’s college-level orchestral composition division. This appointment is a direct recognition of her extensive and elite credentials as an orchestral insider—a performer, analyst, and scholar. It is precisely this comprehensive background, honed at the highest levels of musical training and performance, that has earned the trust of the competition’s organizers. For Ding, the role is not merely an honor but a profound opportunity to ensure that the immense labor of composers is met with the fairness, respect, and expert understanding it deserves.

The Multifaceted Perspective of an Orchestral Expert

Xue Ding’s authoritative perspective is built upon a foundation of world-class orchestral experience. Her journey to the judge’s table includes pivotal roles that have provided an intimate understanding of the orchestral fabric. As the Principal Violist of the Manhattan School of Music Symphony Orchestra and a graduate of its prestigious Master of Music in Orchestral Performance program, she operated at the heart of the ensemble. This leadership role was further refined through her experience at prestigious summer festivals in the United States, such as the Sarasota Music Festival and the Aspen Music Festival and School. These festivals, renowned for their intense focus on chamber and orchestral mastery, provided immersive training under the guidance of world-famous musicians and pedagogues.

The rigorous training she underwent provides her with an unparalleled lens for evaluation. She listens with the practiced ear of an instrumentalist who has led a section from within the orchestra, understanding the practical relationship between a complex score and its real-world execution. Furthermore, her deep analytical research into orchestral masterworks, as well as the historical knowledge gained during her time in the orchestral program, allows her to understand the architecture of pieces with scholarly insight. This hands-on and theoretical expertise, combined with her own past experiences as a competition contender, gives her an indelible empathy for every composer whose work she reviews.

Understanding the Composer’s Monumental Task

It is this combination of high-level experience that fuels her profound respect for the compositional process. “Having been on stage in ensembles at Aspen, Sarasota, and Manhattan School of Music, I understand the language of the orchestra from the inside out,” Ding states. “An instrumentalist, even when not in the mood, can pick up their instrument and practice the notes on the sheet. A composer, however, faces a void. They are like a writer staring at a blank page, willing entire worlds into existence from silence.”

She is quick to emphasize that writing for an orchestra is a task of a different magnitude altogether. “Sitting in the middle of the orchestra, you feel the balance, the texture, and the dialogue between sections in a very physical way. A composer must possess an intimate, practical knowledge of the capabilities of every instrument and how they interact to write effectively. It’s not just about notes on a page; it’s about creating a living, breathing sound world.” She notes that composers must hear this intricate interplay in their mind’s ear long before a single note is played—a feat that requires both immense creativity and meticulous planning, followed by the painstaking hours of score engraving.

The American Prize: A Model of Integrity and Respect

This deep-seated, experience-based empathy directly informs why Xue Ding holds The American Prize in such high esteem. In her view, the competition, under the steadfast leadership of its founder and chief judge, Mr. David Katz, operates as a model of integrity. She points to the chief judge’s unwavering commitment to transparency, noting his meticulous practice of requiring every judge to declare any personal conflicts with participants. This procedure establishes a foundation of impartiality that resonates with her own professional standards.

The Critical Value of Constructive Feedback

However, for Ding, the most defining feature of The American Prize is its profound respect for the contestants, demonstrated through its mandatory feedback system. Judges must provide detailed, constructive comments for every work, which are then shared with the composers.

“I took part in many competitions myself,” Ding reveals, “and to be honest, I never had the opportunity to receive any comments. You would invest your heart and time, only to receive a brief result.”

She sees the provision of feedback as a tangible testament to the fairness of the process. It proves that the work was not just heard, but actively listened to and engaged with on a substantive level. This feedback becomes a vital pedagogical tool, a lesson that a composer can carry forward to refine their craft.

Advocating for Fairness in the Adjudication Room

Her experience on other panels has shown her that the final decision-making process is not always a sanctuary of pure objectivity. “I can say that sometimes I do see other things involved in the final decision,” she acknowledges. “As a person who has put so much hard work into my art, I know intimately how much a fair decision means to a musician.”

This knowledge has compelled her to become a steadfast advocate for meritocracy. She affirms that The American Prize provides the “safe place” that all artists deserve—an environment where their work is evaluated on its own artistic terms.

An Unreserved Endorsement for Aspiring Composers

For any composer, as well as other musicians seeking a competition that values their journey as much as their outcome, Xue Ding offers her unreserved endorsement of The American Prize. It is, in her view, more than a contest; it is a community dedicated to authentic artistic development. As she prepares to review the scores for the national finals, she does so with a sense of duty, equipped with the world-class orchestral experience and scholarly rigor that make her a trusted and authoritative voice in the adjudication process.

Learn more and apply at the official website: https://www.theamericanprize.org/default.htm

About Xue Ding:

Xue Ding is a violist and a Doctor of Musical Arts candidate recognized for her extensive orchestral experience, including principal roles with the Stony Brook University and Manhattan School of Music symphony orchestras. An alumna of prestigious festivals including Aspen and Sarasota, her distinguished career includes awards from the American Viola Society and top prizes in international competitions, including the Claude Debussy Competition and the International Virtuoso Competition. She maintains an active career as a performer, educator, and advocate for musical excellence.