November 21, 2024

Congratulations to the many members of the MSM Community who are part of 2025 GRAMMY-nominated projects

This year, more than 40 members of the MSM Community are part of GRAMMY-nominated work that will be celebrated on February 2, 2025.

The 67th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony will honor nominated recordings, compositions, and artists for work that was released between September 16, 2023, and August 30, 2024, as chosen by the members of the Recording Academy.

The prestigious industry event will air on CBS on February 2, 2025.

Discover below the nominees from the MSM Community, including MSM faculty members and alumni, and see the full list of 2025 GRAMMY Award nominees here.

Jazz Nominees

BEST JAZZ PERFORMANCE

Twinkle Twinkle Little Me by Samara Joy featuring Sullivan Fortner (MM ’10), primary artist, piano

BEST JAZZ VOCAL ALBUM

Journey In Black by Christie Dashiell (MM ’13), primary artist, voice, composer

Wildflowers Vol. 1 by Kurt Elling & Sullivan Fortner (MM ’10), primary artist, piano

  • Pianist Sullivan Fortner (MM '10)

  • Vocalist Christie Dashiell (MM '13)

BEST JAZZ INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM

Owl Song by Ambrose Akinmusire (BM ’05), primary artist, trumpet, composer

Solo Game by Sullivan Fortner (MM ’10), primary artist, piano, keyboards, composer

BEST LARGE JAZZ ENSEMBLE ALBUM 

Returning To Forever by John Beasley & Frankfurt Radio Big Band, includes MSM alumni:

  • Felix Fromm (MM ’09), trombone
  • Hans Glawischnig (MM ’94), bass

And So It Goes by The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, includes MSM alumni:

  • Keith Fiddmont (MM ’87), saxophone

Golden City by Miguel Zenón (MM ’01), primary artist, alto saxophone, composer, includes MSM alumni:

  • Jacob Garchik (BM ’98), tuba and trombone
  • Miles Okazaki (MM ’99), guitar
  • Dan Weiss (BM ’99), drums

Bianca Reimagined: Music for Paws and Persistence by Dan Pugach Big Band, includes MSM alumni:

  • Andrew Gould (MM ’10), Reed 1
  • Patrick Cornelius (MM ’06), Reed 2
  • Eitan Gofman (MM ’16), Reed 3
  • Sam Hoyt (PC ’95), Trumpet 1
  • Stuart Mack (MM ’18), Trumpet 4
  • Alex Pope Norris (MM ’94), Trumpet 4
  • Mike Fahie (MM ’02), Trombone 1
  • Trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire (BM '05)

  • Saxophonist Miguel Zenón (MM '01)

  • Pianist Donald Vega (MM '07)

BEST LATIN JAZZ ALBUM

As I Travel by Donald Vega (MM ’07), primary artist, piano, composer-arranger

Classical Nominees

BEST ORCHESTRAL PERFORMANCE 

Kodály: Háry János Suite; Summer Evening & Symphony In C MajorJoAnn Falletta (HonDMA ’09), conductor (Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra)

BEST OPERA RECORDING 

Puts: The Hours—Kelli O’Hara (HonDMA ’20), soprano as “Laura Brown”

Saariaho: Adriana MaterFleur Barron (MM ’07), mezzo-soprano as “Adriana Mater”

BEST CHORAL PERFORMANCE 

Sheehan: AkathistAine Hakamatsuka (MM ’14), soprano; Timothy Parsons (BM ’12, MM ’14), countertenor

BEST CHAMBER MUSIC/ SMALL ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE

Cerrone: Beaufort Scales—Beth Willer, Artistic Director and Conductor; Christopher Cerrone (BM ’07), composer and producer; Lorelei Ensemble (feat. Corrine Byrne [MM ’12], soprano)

  • Conductor JoAnn Falletta (HonDMA '09)

  • Soprano Kelli O'Hara (HonDMA '20)

  • Mezzo-soprano Fleur Barron (MM '07)

  • Composer Christopher Cerrone (BM '07)

BEST CLASSICAL INSTRUMENTAL SOLO 

Akiho: Longing by Andy Akiho (MM ’09), percussion

BEST CLASSICAL SOLO VOCAL ALBUM

A Change Is Gonna Come by Nicholas Phan and Palaver Strings, includes MSM alumni:

  • Teagan Faran (MM ’22), violin
  • Brianna Fischler (PC ’10), viola
  • Jesse MacDonald (MM ’16), violin

BEST CLASSICAL COMPENDIUM

Akiho: BeLonging by Andy Akiho (MM ’09) and Imani Winds; Andy Akiho (MM ’09), Sean Dixon & Mark Dover (MM ’12), producers

Imani Winds includes MSM alumni:

  • Mark Dover (MM ’12), clarinet
  • Monica Ellis (PS ’98, MSM faculty), bassoon
  • Brandon Patrick George (MM ’10), flute
  • Kevin Newton (MM ’20, MSM faculty), French horn
  • Toyin Spellman-Diaz (MM ’97, PS ’98), oboe

Foss: Symphony No. 1; Renaissance Concerto; Three American Pieces; Ode—JoAnn Falletta (HonDMA ’09), conductor; Bernd Gottinger, producer

BEST CONTEMPORARY CLASSICAL COMPOSITION 

Coleman: Revelry by Valerie Coleman (MSM faculty), composer (Decoda)

  • Composer and percussionist Andy Akiho (MM '09)

  • Imani Winds

  • Composer and flutist Valerie Coleman (MSM faculty)

  • Valerie Coleman’s nominated composition Revelry is performed by Decoda on their eponymous 2024 recording

Best Contemporary Instrumental Album

Orchestras (Live) by Bill Frisell, featuring Alexander Hanson, Brussels Philharmonic, Rudy Royston & Thomas Morgan: Thomas Morgan (BM ’03), bass (primary artist)

Best Musical Theatre Album

The Wiz—Joseph Joubert (BM ’79, MM ’81), producer (primary artist), music director

  • Thomas Morgan (BM '03)

  • Joseph Joubert (BM '79, MM '81)

Package, Notes & Historical

BEST ENGINEERED ALBUM, CLASSICAL

Andres: The Blind Banister—Silas Brown, Doron Schachter, and Michael Schwartz, engineers; Matt Colton, mastering engineer: Doron Schachter (PC ’92, ’93), engineer

Production, Engineering, Composition, and Arrangement

BEST INSTRUMENTAL COMPOSITION

Communion by Christopher Zuar Orchestra: Christopher Zuar (MM ’13, MSM faculty), composer

Strands by Pascal Le Boeuf (MM ’07, MM ’10), composer

BEST ARRANGEMENT, INSTRUMENTS AND VOCALS

Last Surprise (from “Persona 5”)—Charlie Rosen & Jake Silverman (MM ’16), arrangers

  • Doron Schachter (PC '92, '93)

  • Christopher Zuar (MM ’13), MSM Faculty

  • Pascal Le Boeuf (MM ’07, MM ’10)

  • Jake Silverman (MM ’16)

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