For distinguished musical composition by an American in any of the larger forms including chamber, orchestral, choral, opera, song, dance, or other forms of musical theatre, which has had its first performance in the United States during the year, Three thousand dollars ($3,000).

Awarded to "Lilacs" for voice and orchestra by George Walker, premiered on February 1, 1996, in Boston by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and was commissioned by that orchestra.

George Walker after recieving the 1996 Pulitzer Prize in Music.

Finalists

Also nominated as finalists in this category were: "Adagio Tenebroso" by Elliott Carter, premiered on October 15, 1995, in Birmingham, Ala. by the BBC Symphony Orchestra; and "Variations for Violin and Piano" by Peter Lieberson, premiered on May 28, 1995, at the Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC.