Composer Steve Reich has been awarded the $100,000 Michael Ludwig Nemmers Prize in Music Composition from the Henry and Leigh Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University. Established in 2004, the Nemmers Prize in Music Composition honors classical music composers of outstanding achievement who have significantly influenced the field of composition. John Adams was the inaugural winner of the biennial award in 2004.

"I am delighted and honored to receive the 2016 Michael Ludwig Nemmers Prize in Music Composition from Northwestern University's Bienen School of Music," Reich said in a statement announcing the award. "It is particularly gratifying to be honored in this way by a school of music, which demonstrates such passionate commitment to the study, composition, and performance of new music. I look forward to my two residencies at Northwestern for concerts of my music in 2017."

Reich's Bienen School of Music residencies, planned during the next two academic years in February and November 2017, will feature three concerts of his music performed by the Bienen School's Contemporary Music Ensemble (CME), Bienen Contemporary/Early Vocal Ensemble (BCE), and Percussion Ensemble. Reich also will engage in other activities, such as coaching student ensembles, meeting with student composers and participating in moderated discussions.

For more information on the Michael Ludwig Nemmers Prize in Music Composition, visit the Bienen School of Music website.

This is one of a number of honors and events to coincide with Steve Reich's 80th birthday year, including his holding of the Carnegie Hall Debs Composer's Chair for the 2016–17 season and Reich-focused concerts at the Barbican and Lincoln Center Festival next season.