Music critic Hannah Edgar, the Tribune’s contributing critic for classical music and jazz, has won the 2026 William Littler Prize for Music Criticism.
The recognition, awarded by the Music Critics Association of North America, was for their review of a concert by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and guest pianist Yunchan Lim, published in the Tribune in December 2025.
Edgar, 30, has written for the Tribune since 2021, also covering Chicago museums and other arts topics, along with being the lead critic for classical and jazz.
They have also contributed to WBEZ and other Chicago and national publications.
According to the announcement from the Music Critics Association on Thursday, the Littler Prize is given annually “in recognition of excellence in writing by younger critics in the areas of concert music and opera.” It is open to writers aged 40 and under and is named for association member William Littler, who wrote for the Toronto Star from 1966 to 2022 and who supports the award. It includes a cash prize of $1,000.
“Edgar’s reviews are worthwhile both for readers who attended the event and for those who simply have an interest in the topic,” jury member and former association president Donald Rosenberg said in part in a statement, calling them “an insightful critic who is able to home in on the essence of a piece and a performance.”
dgeorge@chicagotribune.com
