All Classical Radio’s International Children’s Arts Network Wins Oregon Symphony’s 2025 Schnitzer Wonder Award and $10,000 Prize

Today, Oregon Symphony President and CEO Isaac Thompson announced that the 2025 Schnitzer Wonder Award recipient is All Classical Radio’s International Children's Arts Network (ICAN). The award, which comes with a $10,000 cash prize, will be formally presented at the Oregon Symphony’s Gala and Celebration Concert on Saturday, April 26, 2025.

Jordan Schnitzer created the Schnitzer Wonder Award in 2015 to honor his parents, Harold and Arlene Schnitzer, and their commitment to philanthropy, fairness, opportunity, education, and creativity in the Portland community. The award aims to advance the endeavors of the receiving organization, recognizing and celebrating excellence in youth mentorship and education, collaboration with emerging artists and students, and fostering a vibrant music and arts community united by shared passions and ambitions,

A service of All Classical Radio launched in 2019, ICAN is a 24-hour arts and music radio station designed for children, families, and classrooms. It is one of the few youth networks in the country, available on regional HD radio, streaming worldwide at icanradio.org, and offering select programs and podcasts on demand. ICAN prominently features the work and voices of student reporters and contributors, ages 4-16.

“We have witnessed firsthand the expansive impact of All Classical Radio’s International Children’s Arts Network: a one-of-a-kind creative and educational radio platform nurturing learning, expression, and community through music and art,” says Thompson. “We are inspired by their pioneering efforts to provide young people with real-world experience as radio hosts, storytellers, leaders, performers. Together, we are creating new ways for people of all ages to experience the arts,” he adds.

The Oregon Symphony’s relationship with All Classical Radio spans decades of collaborations and community-serving partnerships. During the 24/25 season, the two partners are continuing to develop new programs connected to the Symphony’s education and community initiatives.

In February, ICAN is presenting a special broadcast edition of the Oregon Symphony’s Young People’s Concert The Nature of Music available on-demand at icanradio.org through February 19. During the broadcast, Oregon Symphony’s Harold & Arlene Schnitzer Associate Conductor Deanna Tham and student co-host Amir Avsker, a former Young Artist in Residence at All Classical Radio and ICAN, guide listeners through rivers, forests, and gardens—all brought to life through classical music masterpieces.

“On behalf of All Classical Radio and ICAN, we are so honored to accept the 2025 Schnitzer Wonder Award,” says Suzanne Nance, President & CEO of All Classical Radio and ICAN. “Through our network, so many families, educators, and communities enjoy barrier-free access to the arts. It’s gratifying to work side-by-side with inspirational artists and organizations like the Oregon Symphony. Access to music and arts education is essential to healthy youth development, and ICAN is a flourishing example of All Classical Radio’s commitment to providing access. This recognition means so much, and we’re excited by the opportunities that lie ahead with our community partners.”

Over the past year, over 30,000 families and educators have accessed ICAN through the online stream at icanradio.org and via All Classical Radio’s mobile app (combined), with more tuning in on HD2 radio. Since moving into ACR’s new Media Arts Center this past summer, young reporters and musicians have spent well over 100 hours in ICAN’s Moonflower Studio, sharing performances, hosting interviews, and amplifying the stories of our community.

ACR’s ICAN joins past recipients of the Schnitzer Wonder Award, including:

2024 Young Composers Project of Fear No Music
2023 Outside the Frame
2022 Portland Youth Philharmonic
2021 Portland State University Chamber Choir
2020 David Douglas School District Music Education Fund
2019 Mariachi Una Voz
2018 Metropolitan Youth Symphony
2017 Dance West
2016 Pacific Youth Choir
2015 BRAVO Youth Orchestras

About Oregon Symphony
The multi-GRAMMY Award-nominated Oregon Symphony, led by Jean Vollum Music Director David Danzmayr, and serves more than 250,000 people annually through live concerts, and education and community engagement programs. Through innovative initiatives such as the Creative Alliance, the Oregon Symphony engages cultural thought-leaders to bring a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and inspiring musical experiences to our community that go beyond the concert hall and support the Symphony’s mission to move music forward. Online programming and syndicated broadcasts extend the Oregon Symphony’s reach to tens of millions more children and adults around the world. The Oregon Symphony has delighted audiences for more than 125 years and is the oldest orchestra in the Western United States. For more information, visit www.orsymphony.org. Follow Oregon Symphony on Instagram and Facebook. 

About ICAN
The International Children’s Arts Network (ICAN) is a dedicated radio station for children to listen, learn, and celebrate the joy of being a child. ICAN provides access to the arts for all and nurtures a love for music and literature through educational, multicultural arts and STEAM programming. Powered by All Classical Radio, ICAN is available regionally on HD-2 radio, mobile app, smart speakers, and at icanradio.org 24/7, with select features available on demand.

About All Classical Radio
All Classical Radio is consistently ranked in the top 3 classical radio stations in the USA. The network is recognized for its bold collaborations and outreach and for broadcasting 98% locally produced programming, including innovative music playlists, interviews, live broadcasts, and arts and culture specials. Home to the groundbreaking Artist Anthology and the International Children’s Arts Network, All Classical Radio is one of the first classical stations in the nation to name artists and composers in residence and to develop robust youth journalism mentorships.

Broadcasting from the heart of Downtown Portland, All Classical Radio is an independent and community-funded radio station, providing unparalleled access to classical music, outstanding performances, information about the arts, and more since 1983. Serving nearly 250,000 local households in Oregon and SW Washington, All Classical Radio reaches over a million listeners online in 100+ countries around the globe. Listen at 89.9 FM in Portland or anywhere in the world at allclassical.org.