Since 1991, the University of Helsinki has each year presented a person or organisation with the Pacius Award for considerable efforts to advance the musical life of the University. The award is given to honour the memory of Pacius. HYMS, the music society of the University of Helsinki, presents the Rector of the University with the candidate for the award.


The Main Building of Helsinki University. Zoom +

YL Male Voice Choir and conductor Matti Hyökki, conductor Ulf Söderblom, conductor and violinist John Storgårds, composer Harri Vuori, music researcher Seija Lappalainen and composer Aki Yli-Salomäki, among others, have received the award. The male choir Akademiska sångföreningen, which Pacius founded in 1838, received the award in 1998.

In 2008 the award was presented to the American professor Charles Rosen.