Paul Winberg Awarded Nikolai Malko Award

On April 15th, the Grant Park Music Festival Board of Directors bestowed the Festival’s highest honor—the Nikolai Malko Award for Distinguished Service and Leadership—on retiring President and CEO Paul Winberg.

The Award was named for the legendary conductor who steered the Festival from 1945 to 1954.

“Paul is an incomparable leader who has brought the joy of the Festival to millions across the city and around the world,” said longtime board member Eileen Friestad, while presenting the award. “He is the guiding force whose legacy will continue to inspire us all.”

Paul’s tenure reflects nearly fifteen years of meaningful service and stewardship, marked by long-term financial stability including the establishment of a $30 million endowment campaign. Throughout his tenure, he expanded outreach and community engagement, along with fellowship programs advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion.

His commitment to artistic excellence led to the attraction of new artistic leadership with the selection of six-time Grammy Award-winner Giancarlo Guerrero as Artistic Director and Principal Conductor in 2024, following a three-year search.

“Under Paul Winberg’s leadership, the Grant Park Music Festival didn’t just grow, it transformed,” said Guerrero. “His vision for ensuring that the Festival remains a vital part of Chicago will continue to inspire us. He leaves behind a legacy that will endure in every corner of the organization.”

“I am truly humbled to receive this distinguished recognition, something I share with our staff, artistic leadership, musicians and the board,” said Paul. To sum up his years of leading the Festival, Paul turned to the words of Bengali poet and Nobel Laureate, Rabindranath Tagore: “I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted—and behold, service was joy.”

Paul’s last day in the office will be April 30. His impact will endure well beyond that date.