2026 ABA Recipients

We are thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2026 Adolf Busch Award. 

As always, selecting a recipient was exceptionally difficult, given the many organizations carrying out meaningful and transformative work. This year, UpBeat NYC rose to the top of an outstanding field. Their mission is to foster equity, opportunity, and community through free music education and ensemble performance, creating lasting positive change in the lives of children and youth in the South Bronx. We were deeply moved both by the dedication of the organization's leadership and by the significant socioeconomic challenges their participants navigate each day. The $10,000 award will enable UpBeat to expand and sustain year-round after-school and summer programming for 200 South Bronx youth by securing larger, affordable rehearsal space to support its growing ensembles.

Also recognized are 4 other finalists: Urban Voices Project, Project: Music Heals Us Inc, The Miracle Project, and Rawkstars, Inc.

Congratulations to all of this year’s honorees, and our deepest appreciation to all of those doing such valuable work making the world a bit better through the power of music. We are also deeply grateful to all of the applicants. Your meaningful work and dedication make this decision process both inspiring and incredibly challenging.