The Magic Penny Award
The Magic Penny Award, named after the song by Malvina Reynolds, is a Children's Music Network tribute to people in our community who have dedicated their lives to empowering children through music. In October 1999 the first award was given posthumously to Malvina herself, through her daughter, Nancy Schimmel.
Each year the Magic Penny Award program is a hilight of the CMN National Conference. The tribute program features songs written by or used by the recipient, informative appreciations of the recipient's work, and of course the presentation of the award itself.
Photo Credits: Maile Beamer Loo/Hula Preservation Society (Nona Beamer), Ann Morse (Bob Blue),
Robin Carson (Woddy Guthrie), Janice Buckner (Marcia Berman), Eleanor M. Lawrence (Malvina Reynolds)
Bill Harley
A Grammy award-winning artist, Bill Harley uses song and story to paint a vibrant and hilarious picture of growing up, schooling and family life. Bill has been writing and performing for kids and families for over twenty years. His work spans the generation gap, reminds us of our common humanity and challenges us to be our very best selves.
Phil Hoose (right) looks on as Sarah Pirtle receives
the 2007 Magic Penny Award presented by CMN
President Frank Hernandez (center), who first
joined CMN at Sarah's invitation.
Sarah with the award, whose design incorporates allusions
to Sarah's song "My Roots Go Down."
Award Designer: Harriett Morton—Tuscon, Arizona
Unable to be present in California,
Nona Beamer sent a video greeting.
Kaliko Beamer-Trapp,
Nona Beamer's son,
accepted the award on
her behalf.
The shells refer to one of Aunty Nona's trademark
songs; "Pupu Hinuhinu" (Shiny Shell). The child on
the right holds a penny.
Award Designer: Harriett Morton—Tuscon, Arizona
Shortly after the 2005 National Conference, Anna Stange and Alvin McGovern presented the award to
Peggy Seeger, who accepted it on her mother's behalf.
Award Designer: Sally Rogers—Pomfret, Connecticut
Bob Blue, with a little help from Jackson Gillman,
gives his acceptance speech for the 2004 award that
was presented in a laugh- and tear-filled tribute.
Award Designers: Leslie Sweetnam—Woodstock, Connecticut and Tom Menard—Putnam, Connecticut
Suni Paz with some of the friends who joined in the 2003 tribute honoring her.
Award Designers: Leslie Sweetnam—Woodstock, Connecticut and Tom Menard—Putnam, Connecticut
On behalf of her father, Woody, Nora Guthrie accepts the 2002 Magic Penny Award presented by Sally Rogers.
Award Designer: Eliza Zeitlin
Phil Hoose presents the 2001 Magic
Penny
Award to Ella Jenkins.
Award Designer: Eliza Zeitlin
Marcia Berman accepts the
2000 Magic Penny Award
presented by Sarah Pirtle.
Award Designer: Eliza Zeitlin
Nancy Schimmel joined others in paying tribute to
Malvina Reynolds, her mother, in word and song,
and she
accepted the first Magic Penny Award
on her mother's behalf.
Award Designer: Eliza Zeitlin
