2010 = 2
2011 = 1
2012 = 1
2013 = 2
2014 = 1
2015 = 1
The numbers you see above represent how many U.S. choir recordings nominated for a GRAMMY award in the Best Choral Performance category over the past 5 years. Each year, 5 recordings are nominated for this award and it took me by surprise to notice that U.S. choirs haven't had 3 recordings nominated in that category in years. Full disclosure: I got exhausted and stopped searching after the 48th GRAMMY Award nominations (ten years ago...). Please let me know if you can find the last time the United States had 3 or more recordings nominated in the category.
Let me be very clear, I am NOT taking anything away from the recordings that were nominated over the past few years and I am sure that they were deserved. I am going to take this moment to celebrate the fact that this year, there were THREE recordings from U.S. choirs nominated for the GRAMMY award in the Best Choral Performance category.
This episode of Sing to Inspire highlights those 3 recordings and offers an exclusive interview from the conductors of the nominated ensembles. During one of the interviews, Charles Bruffy, the conductor of the Kansas City Chorale and Phoenix Chorale, said this, "I think it is remarkable that in this year's GRAMMY awards, there are 3 U.S. choirs nominated for the award [Best Choral Performance]. It speaks so highly on the condition of choral singing in the United States." I couldn't agree more, Charles.
To hear all the interviews and a full performance from each of the nominated choirs in this week's episode of Sing To Inspire, click the audio player above.
#SingToInspire Performance of the Week
Conspirare - Oda a las Cosas from Ode to Common Things
Cary Ratcliff, composer
Craig Hella Johnson, conductor
Interview and Performance begins at 1:45
Kansas City Chorale and Phoenix Chorale - Lord, Now Lettest Thou Thy Servant Depart In Peace
Sergei Rachmaninoff, composer
Charles Bruffy, conductor
Interview and Performance begins at 11:39
True Concord Voices and Orchestra - Nunc Dimittis
Stephen Paulus, composer
Eric Holtan, conductor
Interview and Performance begins at 17:02
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