CAPE VINCENT â Augusta (âGussieâ) N. Cecconi-Bates has been selected as a semi-finalist in the American Prize in the musical composition category for a wind ensemble she wrote. The American Prize is a series of nonprofit, national competitions designed to recognize and reward the best in the performing arts in the United States â in schools and churches, and at community and professional levels. The prize was founded in 2009 and is awarded annually. The American Prize is administered by Hat City Music Theater, Inc., a nonprofit performing arts organization based in Danbury, Conn. Ms. Cecconi-Bates entered her wind ensemble, âPasticcio,â into the composition/wind ensemble category.