Pulitzers expand music category

The Pulitzer Prize Board announced Tuesday that it will consider jazz, musical theater and movie scores and “other forms of musical excellence” for future music prizes, in addition to operas and contemporary classical symphonic, chamber and choral works.

The move comes after stinging criticism of the Pulitzer board for overlooking the diverse creativity in contemporary American music.

The board also announced that a music score no longer will have to be submitted. A recording may be substituted instead.

The change will allow for improvisational work to be considered, the board said. In addition, future jury pools will include conductors, music presenters, musicians or other musically knowledgeable persons, in addition to composers, who will remain the majority of the five-member committee.