Seattle-area choral groups have scored three prizes in the community-chorus division of the American Prize in Choral Performance.

Top honors went to Tacoma's Pacific Lutheran University Choral Union, conducted by Richard Nance. Seattle Pro Musica, led by conductor-composer Karen P. Thomas, tied for second place for the American Prize in Choral Performance, along with the Peninsula Women's Chorus of Palo Alto, Calif.

Nance also won top place in the The American Prize in Conducting (community-chorus division).

The American Prize, founded in 2009 and awarded annually, recognizes "the best recorded performances of music by ensembles and individuals each year in the United States at the professional, college/university, church, community and secondary school levels." Along with cash prizes of $100-$500, winners will soon have excerpts of their winning performances posted on The American Prize's YouTube channel, which goes live this fall. Info: theamericanprize.blogspot.com.

Michael Upchurch: mupchurch@seattletimes.com