UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Marica Tacconi, Penn State distinguished professor of musicology and art history, was awarded a 2024 Bicentennial Medal from her undergraduate alma mater, Williams College, for her internationally recognized research that has led to uncovering previously neglected musical works and forged manuscripts.
The Bicentennial Medals program, established in 1993 to celebrate 200 years of Williams College in Massachusetts, honors community members and alumni in all fields for their outstanding achievements, accomplishments and service.
Tacconi was awarded along with four other alumni during the college’s convocation exercises in September. She and the other honorees also were part of a panel discussion moderated by college President Maud S. Mandel. The conversation focused on the value of their liberal arts education in creating pathways for them to contribute to society as a whole.
“I am so humbled to have received this medal from my alma mater,” Tacconi said. “It is deeply rewarding to have my work recognized from an institution that was foundational in my development as a teacher and scholar.”
In addition to her faculty appointment, Tacconi serves as associate director for faculty development and research/creative activity in the School of Music. Her current scholarly work is devoted to unearthing some of the neglected music of 17th- and 18th-century Venice. This type of “music archaeology” led to the discovery in 2021 of three forged music manuscripts and, more recently, to music composed for the Ospedaletto — a charitable institution that took in orphaned and foundling girls. Some of her discoveries have received international media attention, including radio interviews with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and British Broadcasting Corporation.
At Penn State since 1998, Tacconi has received numerous University honors, including the 2020 Faculty Scholar Medal for Outstanding Achievement (arts and humanities category), the 2016 President’s Award for Excellence in Academic Integration, and the 2013 Achieving Women Award (faculty category). She holds a doctorate in music history from Yale University.