The Ditson Conductor's Award, established in 1945, is the oldest award honoring conductors for their commitment to the performance of American music. The US$5,000 purse is endowed by the Alice M. Ditson FundatColumbia University, increased in 1999 from US$1,000.
The Ditson Conductor's Award was established five years after the 30 April 1940 death of Alice M. Ditson, widow of music publisher Charles Healy Ditson and daughter-in-law of Oliver Ditson, founder of the publishing house that bore his name. Her will bequested $400,000 (equivalent to $8.7 million in 2023) to Columbia University was for "the encouragement and aide of musicians."[1][2] From this was born fellowships, public hearings, publication of the work of talented musicians and the Ditson Conductor's Award.[2]