Joseph Batory was the recipient of the 2019 Inspire Award at the reception of Philadelphia’s prestigious Musicopia organization Saturday at The Ethical Society in center city on Saturday, February 2.  The Musicopia Inspire Award annually recognizes one individual who has had a significantly positive impact on very large numbers of young people through music education.

While superintendent of schools in Upper Darby (PA), Batory inspired and motivated music education for all students and advocated for the growth and development of the large and high-quality performing groups which still exist throughout the school system today. He also founded the Upper Darby Arts and Education Foundation which has now raised more than $3 million and returned all of it to Upper Darby educators via 900+ mini-grants for initiatives which might otherwise not have been possible.  An estimated 26,000 students have been touched in some way by this foundation.