Professor Hillary Herndon Honored with Distinguished Service Award by American Viola Society
In recognition of her exceptional contributions and leadership in the field of music, Hillary Herndon, professor of viola at the UT Natalie L. Haslam College of Music, has been awarded the prestigious Distinguished Service Award by the American Viola Society (AVS). The award was presented to her during the recent American Viola Society Festival held in June, where she was celebrated for her outstanding dedication and stewardship while serving as the organization’s president from 2020 – 2023.
Reflecting on her journey, Professor Herndon said, “It is difficult to explain exactly what this award means to me without explaining a little of my own history… When I was asked to consider running for President of the American Viola Society, I had some concerns. At the time I was pregnant with twins and was concerned that maintaining my work at UT alongside the demands of becoming a first-time mother – to multiples, nonetheless, would prevent me from giving the AVS the time it would require.”
Her presidency, which began amidst challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic and financial issues within the organization, marked a transformative period for AVS. “It took a year of updating bylaws and searching for a new treasurer, recreating a budget and many more challenges before we could begin to look at instituting new programs,” she said. Under her leadership, the society launched initiatives such as a recording label for violists, mini-grants for educators, and a comprehensive online presence, among other innovations.
“I am so thankful to all of those who were willing to go along with my ideas, help improve them and implement them,” Professor Herndon said. Her collaborative efforts extended beyond the AVS to include the Mosaic Project at UT, supported by grants from the Sphinx Organization and the National Endowment for the Arts, aimed at promoting music composed by Black and Latino composers.
Upon receiving the Distinguished Service Award, Professor Herndon said, “This award has provided an opportunity for me to reflect on that moment when I considered NOT running for president, and to internalize that with support from colleagues, your family and peers we can make great things happen, even when the prospect is daunting.”
For more information about the American Viola Society, visit americanviolasociety.org