Mikel Rouse receives Special Recognition 2025 Deems Taylor/Virgil Thomson Book Award category for THE WORLD GOT AWAY

Mikel Rouse received Special Recognition in the 2025 ASCAP Foundation Deems Taylor/Virgil Thomson Book Award category for concert music, specifically for his memoir The World Got Away. The award, given by the ASCAP Foundation, honors exceptional books that contribute to the understanding and appreciation of concert music. Rouse’s memoir, published by University of Illinois Press, was celebrated for its exploration of his life as a composer and multimedia artist, weaving together elements of pop, minimalism, and autobiographical storytelling.

The ASCAP Foundation’s citation for Mikel Rouse’s Special Recognition award for his memoir The World Got Away reads:

“For a powerful and elegant memoir that deftly intertwines the personal and professional, chronicling a composer’s journey through the evolving landscapes of contemporary music, minimalism, and popular culture. Rouse’s evocative storytelling offers insight into the challenges and triumphs of a multifaceted musical life, enriching the understanding of concert music’s impact beyond the concert hall.”

This citation highlights the memoir’s significance in bridging intimate autobiography with broader musical movements and its contribution to contemporary music literature.