For distinguished musical composition of significant dimension by an American that has had its first performance in the United States during the year, Seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500).

Awarded to "On the Transmigration of Souls" by John Adams, premiered by the New York Philharmonic on September 19, 2002 at Avery Fisher Hall. (Boosey & Hawkes)

Jennifer Bilfield, President of Boosey & Hawkes, accepts the 2003 Pulitzer Prize in Music from Columbia University President Lee C. Bollinger on behalf of John Adams.

Finalists

Also nominated as finalists in this category were: "Three Tales" by Steve Reich, premiered on May 31, 2002 at the Spoleto Festival USA, Charleston, SC (Boosey & Hawkes), and "Camp Songs" by Paul Schoenfield, commissioned by Music of Remembrance and premiered on April 7, 2002 at MOR's Holocaust Remembrance concert, "Not In Vain!," at Benaroya Hall, Seattle, Washington.