Leonardo da Vinci World Award of Art 2015

Field of Work: UNESCO Artist for Peace

Date: 19 November 2015

Place of Ceremony: Caird Hall, Dundee

Host Institution: University of Dundee

Host Country: Scotland, UK

The 2015 “Leonardo da Vinci” World Award of Arts will be granted to Professor Dr. Milton Masciadri, Professor of Music at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music, University of Georgia, USA. This prize is presented every two years as a means of acknowledging those who offer a positive message to humankind through different expressions of art.

The recognition is for Prof. Masciadri’s extraordinary and multi-faceted career as a performing artist, cultural ambassador, educator, international leader and author, in particular his contributions towards disseminating culture as a UNESCO Artist for Peace and his extensive work mentoring and teaching new generations of young musicians.

The 32nd Award Ceremony will be held in conjunction with the Winter Graduation ceremonies of the University of Dundee, Scotland on Thursday 19th November 2015. The ALBERT EINSTEIN Award and WCC Special Recognitions in Science will be presented in the morning session, while the LEONARDO DA VINCI Award and WCC Special Recognitions in Arts will be conferred in the afternoon session.

Professor Dr. Milton Masciadri has established a celebrated international reputation as a performing artist, cultural ambassador, educator and author. He is renowned as a dedicated world leader, a brilliant performer, and a warm and passionate teacher of young musicians.

Milton Masciadri, a third-generation double bass player, was born in Montevideo, Uruguay. He began his studies with his father and at the age of 17 when he was co-principal bassist with the Porto Alegre Symphony Orchestra in Brazil. At 19, he was already a faculty member of the Federal University of Brazil. He completed his masters and doctorate degrees under the tutelage of Gary Karr, Julius Levine and Lawrence Wolfe. In 1984, he joined the Hugh Hodgson School of Music faculty at the University of Georgia. In 2009 Dr. Masciadri received the title of Distinguished University Professor of the University of Georgia becoming the first faculty member in fine arts to be so honoured in 62 years.

In 1998 Dr. Masciadri was appointed as a UNESCO Artist for Peace and, in that capacity, appeared across the globe in performances, master classes and workshops. The list of his international honours is lengthy and includes an appointment as “Accademico” to the Academia Filarmonica in Bologna, Italy – Europe’s oldest musical educational institution; recognition as Cavagliero di San Marco in Venice; and receipt of the Medal of Honour for academic achievements and services to the people of Brazil.

Dr. Masciadri has led international festivals, and, as a soloist, has appeared throughout the world in over 300 recitals and concerts. He has performed chamber music and duets with such artists as George Bolet, Robert Mc Duffie, Aldo Parisot, Sidney Harth, Gary Karr and Francesco Petracchi, playing a 320-year-old Testore double bass. He is a frequent recitalist and soloist with major symphony orchestras in Europe, Asia, North America, Central America and South America.

At the University of Georgia, Dr. Masciadri embodies the heart of its mission of excellence, mentoring new generations of young musicians. His reputation as a double bass instructor has attracted students from across the United States and the world.

Dr. Masciadri has presented master classes at the Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music, Paris Conservatoire, Guildhall School of Music in London, Moscow Conservatory, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires National Conservatory, and Milan Conservatorio, among many others. In summer, he teaches at several international music festivals.

Milton Masciadri’s enthusiasm for enlarging the repertoire of the double bass has led him to publish and premiere works of many contemporary American and South American composers, including works commissioned by UNESCO and Funarte (Brazilian Foundation for the Arts), as well as his own transcriptions and arrangements.