Dondanville Named Presser Award Winner for 2025
Wed, 03/12/2025 - 09:23am | By: Dr. Mike Lopinto
Ben Dondanville, a composer, arranger, and bass trombonist completing his Bachelor of Music in Performance at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM), has been named the winner of the 2025 Presser Award.
Selected by the School of Music faculty based solely on excellence and merit, this prestigious honor recognizes an outstanding senior, who is then designated as a Presser Scholar. The award includes a generous stipend to support continued musical studies.
A native of Thompson's Station, Tenn., Dondanville has received numerous accolades, including winning the 91 Classical Student Composer Competition and a residency as a guest composer for the Indiana State Contemporary Music Festival. At Southern Miss, he is a student of Dr. Ben McIlwain.
“Ben Dondanville epitomizes what Southern Miss and the School of Music is all about–excellence both academically and musically, while maintaining a humble spirit and character that sets the example for others,” said McIlwain. “Not only is Ben an excellent trombonist, but he is becoming a prolific composer with more than 15 original works for USM students and faculty. He is most deserving of this honor as our 2025 Presser Award winner. I am very proud of him.”
His compositions at Southern Miss include works for three different band ensembles with another for orchestra in development. They have been performed by groups such as the USM Trombone Octet and Wind Ensemble. Notable works include “When Dreams Take Flight” (premiered under the baton of famed New York Philharmonic Trombonist Joseph Alessi) and “3 Sketches for Wind Ensemble.”
As a performer, Ben has played with the USM Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Lab Band One, while also serving as a section leader in The Pride of Mississippi Marching Band.
Ben's entrepreneurial spirit shines through his own business, Ben Dondanville Music, where he has successfully composed, published and arranged nearly 20 original works. His business has also allowed him to collaborate with other musicians and provide commissioned works for individuals and consortium projects.
The Presser Foundation was established in 1939 under the Deeds of Trust and Will of the late Theodore Presser. It is one of the few private foundations in the United States dedicated solely to music education and music philanthropy. Theodore Presser (1848-1925) rose from humble beginnings to become a respected music teacher and publisher. Familiar with the challenges musicians face, he founded the organization to support music education and philanthropy. The foundation provides undergraduate and graduate scholar awards, funding for music organizations, capital grants for music building projects and assistance for retired music teachers.
Visit the Presser Foundation’s website to learn more. To learn more about the Southern Miss School of Music, visit us online.