The Award, instituted in 2004, is granted to the artist, supporter, benefactor or patron who has made an outstanding contribution to music and/or religious art. The recipient is presented with a certificate and a work of art. The award ceremony takes place at a venue chosen by the Festival Internazionale di Musica e Arte Sacra to an invited audience of media delegates and members of the authorities.
On 22 October 2004 the first Fondazione Pro Musica e Arte Sacra Award was presented to Dr. Gianni Letta, Undersecretary for the President's Office of the Council of Ministers, in recognition of his moral support. The award ceremony took place in the Sala della Conciliazione in the Palazzo Lateranense.
On 21 February 2006 the second Fondazione Pro Musica e Arte Sacra Award was presented to His Eminence Cardinal Francesco Marchisano Archpriest of the Basilica of St. Peter's in the Vatican, for his efforts in the protection and conservation of sacred art as President of the Pontificial Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church (March 1993 - October 2003) and President of the Permanent Commission for the Protection of Historical and Artistic Monuments of the Holy See. The Award was presented by the Italian Ministry of Culture On.le Rocco Buttiglione, during a solemn ceremony in the Church Santissimo Salvatore at San Michele a Ripa Grande in Rome.
On 13 October 2008, the third Fondazione Pro Musica e Arte Sacra Prize was awarded to Senator Mariapia Garavaglia and to Richard de Tscharner at an official ceremony held at the Museo Nazionale Romano in Palazzo Altemps, Rome.
The Prize was presented to Senator Mariapia Garavaglia by His Eminence Cardinal Angelo Comastri for her moral support in the spread and promotion of religious music and art through her constant presence at the Festival di Musica e Arte Sacra.
Richard de Tscharner’s Prize was presented by the Hon. Gianni Letta, Undersecretary of State to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, for his dedication to the protection and preservation of religious music and art, as Patron of the Foundation.
On October 25, 2010 in the Academic Hall of the Papal Institute of Sacred Music in Rome the following personalities have received the Foundation Award:
Msgr. Prof. Dr. Georg Ratzinger, Protonotary apostolic, Choir Master emeritus, in recognition of his life’s work and his important achievements in the field of Sacred Music, for dedicating himself tirelessly to Sacred Music in the Cathedral of Regensburg and throughout the world for more than 30 years;
Msgr. Domenico Bartolucci,, Music Director Emeritus of the Papal Choir Capella Sistina in recognition of his life’s work as composer, teacher and choir master and his important achievements in the field of Sacred Music, having dedicated himself tirelessly to Sacred Music in the Vatican and throughout the world for more than 50 years;
Prof. Dr. Clemens Hellsberg, President of the Vienna Philharmonic, as representative of the Vienna Philharmonic, in recognition of the highest achievements in music of the Orchestra’s members who, with their unanimously recognized professionalism and their immense musical talent for reaching listeners’ hearts, can play upon human heart-strings with their marvellous Sacred Music. It is thanks to their altruistic commitment that the International Festival of Sacred Music and Art is taking place every year.
Dr. h.c. Hans Urrigshardt, a German Patron, in recognition for his generous activity as Patron of the Festival, and for having worked for years to promote the Foundation’s aims.
His Eminence Angelo Cardinal Comastri held the laudationes, while His Eminence Francesco Cardinal Marchisano and Dr. Gianni Letta handed the diplomas and awards (an artistic candle each, created by Heribert Schenk of Memmingen in Germany) out to the award winners.
On 23 october 2014, the "Fondazione Pro Musica e Arte Sacra Award " was awarded to:
Mgr. Pablo Colino Prefect of the Music Department of St Peter in the Vatican, for dedicating himself to sacred music in the Vatican and throughout the world for more than 50 years
Prof. Dr. Dr. Herbert Batliner Knight of the Grand Cross with Diamonds of the Principality of Liechtenstein, as a grand Patron and supporter of sacred music and art
M° Nikolaus Harnoncourt Austrian conductor, in recognition of his great merits in the field of sacred music
M° Tomomi Nishimoto Japanese conductor, for her determination in the rediscovery of the musical tradition of the Orasho in Japan as derived fromGregorian chant, and for her research on these antique songs.
