Composer Darren Mitchell of Kirkland has achieved second place nationally in The American Prize in Band/Wind Ensemble Composition competition, 2013—professional division, for the work “Ascension.”

Mitchell was selected from applications reviewed this spring from across the United States.

Mitchell is best known for his music for video games (Turok: The Dinosaur Hunter; Turok 2: The Seeds of Evil, Ghost Recon 2: Summit Strike, and numerous other titles), which have garnered several awards and recognition around the world.

In addition to his music for video games, Mitchell is rapidly becoming known for his music for live ensembles and has had his music performed all over the country by universities, orchestras and high schools.

Among judges’ comments: “There is a headlong energy to this piece, which is very appealing, and the shifting meters are organic and make sense … “

The American Prize is a series of new, non-profit competitions unique in scope and structure, designed to recognize and reward the best performing artists, ensembles and composers in the United States based on submitted recordings. The American Prize was founded in 2009 and is awarded annually in many areas of the performing arts. Complete information on the website: www.theamericanprize.org.

Finalists for The American Prize receive professional adjudication and regional, national and international recognition based on their recorded performances. In addition to written evaluations from judges, winners and runners-up are profiled on The American Prize website, where links will lead to winners’ websites.