Professor of Music’s book nominated for international award

A UNIVERSITY of Huddersfield professor’s latest book was nominated for one of the most prestigious prizes in American publishing.

Laurie Stras – who is Research Professor of Music at the University – is the author of Women and Music in Sixteenth-Century Ferrara, which establishes her as the leading authority on a fascinating episode in musical history.  

She is also a performing musician and the acclaimed 2018 recording Lucrezia Borgia’s Daughter, featuring two choirs co-directed by Professor Stras, has been featured on BBC radio.

Her book was selected as one of five shortlisted in the Music and Performing Arts category of the 2019 PROSE Awards bestowed by the Association of American Publishers (AAP).  The nomination came after a panel of 18 judges reviewed more than 500 entries for this year’s competition.

Professor Stras said that she was surprised but delighted by the AAP shortlisting.  In the event, Women and Music in Sixteenth-Century Ferrara, was not selected as the category winner.  “But it was a tremendous achievement to have been shortlisted – Laurie’s research is truly world-leading and she is a wonderful asset to our department,” said University of Huddersfield Head of Music and Drama Professor Rachel Cowgill.