Children’s Chorus Takes National Spotlight with Prestigious Award

Chorus America Honors PCC Artistic & Executive Director Alex Gartner with 2025 Louis Botto Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Pensacola, Fla. – May 2025 – The Pensacola Children’s Chorus (PCC) proudly announces that its Executive and Artistic Director, Alex Gartner, has been named the recipient of the prestigious 2025 Louis Botto Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship by Chorus America, the national advocacy and leadership organization for the choral field.

This distinguished award, named in memory of Louis Botto—the founder of one of the world’s leading choirs, Chanticleer—recognizes mid-career conductors who have demonstrated exceptional artistry, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit in furthering the mission of their choral organization. Gartner’s selection places him among a celebrated cohort of choral leaders whose work is shaping the future of the choral field. He is the first director of a youth choir to receive this award in its 27-year history.

Since assuming leadership of PCC in 2016, Gartner has transformed the organization into a dynamic, inclusive and visionary force for music education and community engagement. Under his direction, PCC has expanded from its flagship Resident Choir to an impressive 14 distinct choral ensembles, serving a diverse array of young singers across Northwest Florida and Southwest Alabama. His pioneering “Triple-A Commitment” ensures Affordable and Accessible Arts for every child, removing financial barriers to participation through a sliding-scale tuition model.

“Alex Gartner is one in a million,” said Dr. Sheila Dunn, President of PCC’s Board of Directors and chief nominator for the award. “He is a remarkable musician, mentor, colleague, arts advocate and leader who has transformed the Pensacola Children’s Chorus into a highly impactful organization that will continue to serve generations of youth for years to come. He works tirelessly to ensure that every child in our community has access to affordable arts in ways that are both innovative and sustainable.”

Gartner’s visionary leadership has brought national and international acclaim to PCC, including performances at Carnegie Hall in 2022 and again under his own baton in 2026. His innovative programming fuses traditional choral repertoire with contemporary and cross-genre works, culminating in their large-scale choral theatre productions. These performances are complemented by over 25 annual community appearances in schools, retirement communities and local events.

Beyond performance, Gartner has embedded PCC in the cultural fabric of Pensacola through continued collaborations with the Pensacola Opera, Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, Ballet Pensacola, Choral Society of Pensacola and Pensacola Little Theatre. Additionally, he forged strategic partnerships with the Escambia Children’s Trust and the City of Pensacola to bring about programs like Sing to Succeed and Pensacola Sings, initiatives which bring tuition-free singing opportunities to under-resourced populations of youth, exemplifying his commitment to using music as a catalyst for social change.

Alex Gartner’s selection for the Louis Botto Award not only recognizes his extraordinary achievements but also shines a spotlight on the Pensacola Children’s Chorus as a national leader in choral innovation, accessibility and youth development. Alex and other award recipients will be honored during the 2025 Chorus America Conference held in St. Louis, Missouri, from June 5–7. Visit chorusamerica.org/awards to learn more about Chorus America’s Awards program.

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About the Pensacola Children’s Chorus

The Pensacola Children’s Chorus (PCC) is a non-profit, community-based arts education program which uses music and performance to inspire and nurture a new generation of young leaders. Serving over 300 young musicians from over 60 schools across Northwest Florida and Southwest Alabama, PCC uses music education to provide opportunities for personal growth, friendship and community service. Formally established in 1990 as a program of the Pensacola Symphony, the now-independent organization continues to pursue diversity of talent, repertoire and performance to enhance and enliven the cultural fabric of our community. To fulfill its role as the preeminent regional youth music education program, PCC presents a full season of outreach, educational programs, and performances each year for thousands of children, youth and adults.

About Chorus America

Chorus America is the advocacy, research, and leadership development organization that advances the choral field. We support and serve choral conductors, administrators, board members, and singers with tools, training, peer networking, and access so that choruses are better able to contribute to their communities. Our membership includes more than 6,000 choruses, individuals, businesses, and organizations that are part of the choral field. Chorus America is governed by a diverse board of accomplished arts leaders from the U.S. and Canada, with staff distributed across the U.S.. Learn more at www.chorusamerica.org.