Tag Archives: grammys

Grammy 101: A Video That Teaches Viewers About the Grammys

The Recording Academy is often criticized when the Grammy Award winners are announced. While sometimes the complaints are valid, there are also frequent misconceptions. For example, perceived Grammy snubs may actually involve songs/albums that were never submitted for consideration or weren’t eligible in the first place. According to a Recording Academy press release the organization is launching a video series—Grammy 101—to help Grammy Award watchers understand the Grammy Awards and selection process better.

AFM Recognizes Signatory Grammy Winners

Numerous AFM members were among those honored with nominations and awards at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards. Following is a list of Grammy winners who are AFM members and whose work is recorded on labels signatory to AFM agreements. The AFM celebrates all artists whose works are supported by AFM musicians, under AFM agreements.

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Best Orchestral Performance: John Adams: City Noir,
St. Louis Symphony, all members of Local 2-197 (St. Louis, MO).

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Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance: “In 27 Pieces,”
Hilary Hahn of Local 40-543 (Baltimore, MD) and Cory Smythe.

Partch

Best Classical Compendium: Partch: Plectra & Percussion Dances, Partch: Alison Bjorkedal and Nick Terry of Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA).

christhieleMeyer

Best Contemporary Instrumental Album: Bass & Mandolin,
Chris Thile and Edgar Meyer, both of Local 257 (Nashville, TN).

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Best Bluegrass Album: The Earls of Leicester, The Earls of Leicester:
Shawn Camp, Charlie Cushman, Jerry Douglas, Tim O’Brien,
Johnny Warren, and Barry Bales, all members of Local 257.

Best Improvised Jazz Solo: “Fingerprints,” track from Trilogy,
Chick Corea Trio: Chick Corea, Christian McBride, and Brian Blade,
all members of Local 802 (New York City).

Best Instrumental Album: Trilogy, Chick Corea Trio: Chick Corea,
Christian McBride, and Brian Blade, all members of Local 802.

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Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album: Life in the Bubble,
Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, all members of Local 47.

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Best American Roots Performance: “A Feather’s Not a Bird,”
track from The River & The Thread, Rosanne Cash of Local 802.

Best Roots Song: “A Feather’s Not a Bird,” track from
The River & The Thread, Rosanne Cash of Local 802.

Best Americana Album: The River & The Thread, Rosanne Cash of Local 802.

Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals: New York Tendaberry,
featuring Renée Fleming and Yo-Yo Ma of Local 802.

Best Instrumental Composition: “The Book Thief,” track from The Book Thief soundtrack, composed by John Williams of Locals 47 and 9-535 (Boston, MA).

Weird-Al

Best Comedy Album: Mandatory Fun, Weird Al Yankovic of Local 47.

High School Teacher Jared Cassedy Receives Music Educator Award

Jared Cassedy, a name no one really knows, has just become a Grammy winner. For the second year, the Recording Academy and Grammy Foundation are presenting the Grammy Music Educator award.

The Music Educator Award was established to recognize current educators (kindergarten through college, public and private schools) who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in the schools. Over 7,000 names were submitted this year, but only one can receive the award.

Jared Cassedy from Windham high School in Windham, New Hampshire was presented the reward. Cassedy is known for being filled with energy, and has even been nicknamed “The energizer Bunny.”

It’s part of his passion and commitment, and it shows with his students as well.

Cierra Cowan, a bassoonist at Windham high School said, “We’re getting so much done and we’re working so hard, yet it feels like we’re having the best time of our lives doing it.”

The students really had nothing but flattering things to say about their teacher.

“He constantly tells us, ‘I don’t see you as high school musicians. You are professional musicians to me.’ And he’s the kind of person you want to meet those expectations and it makes it incredibly exhilarating when you can,” clarinetist Jillian DiPersio said. She goes on to say, “We don’t feel like band geeks here.”

“It becomes something you want to do, because you want to impress him. You do it for him really,” tuba player Adam Consentino said.

The band he teaches isn’t exclusive to skilled musicians. He allows anyone to join even if they have never played a note in their lives. No auditions necessary.

“One of my biggest beliefs in music education is I want to provide access to all students.” Cassedy explains.

That doesn’t mean it’s all fun and games. In 2012, the band played a the World Strides Heritage Festival in New York and finished first. The year after, they attended the World Strides Heritage Festival in Chicago and won again. This led to an invitation for the band to perform on the main stage at Carnegie Hall.

It is no wonder former student, Tim Raymond, wrote a letter to the Grammy committee. “I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving of the honor,” Raymond said, “I learned music lessons. I learned life lessons. He was one of my biggest mentors.”

Cassedy was shocked when he found out.

“Words cannot describe how amazing this honor is,” said Cassedy. “This award is not only recognition of the truly talented students and supportive community I get to work with every day, but it’s also a representation of the fundamental significance of music and the arts in our schools. As a tribute to the thousands of outstanding music educators everywhere, I cannot thank The Recording Academy and GRAMMY Foundation enough for helping us to advocate for and to celebrate the importance of music education across the nation.”

He didn’t take all the credit for himself, “…I see it more as a recognition of the students. Without the students coming back every single day, giving it 110 percent. Their lips are falling off, and exhausted and they’re studying for midterm exams and they have a lot of pressure on them but they’re the ones. I could be up there waving my arms around, but they’re the ones making the music.”

Full List of the 2015 Grammy Award AFM Member Nominees

The full list of the 2015 Grammy Awards have been revealed and we wanted to highlight and congratulate our fellow AFM members who were nominated.

 

Best American Roots Performance

Keb’ Mo’ local 47 (Los Angeles, CA)

 

Best Rock Performance

Arctic Monkeys’ members: Alex Turner (keyboard), Matt Helders (drums), and Jamie Cook (guitar) from local 802 (New York City).

Black Keys’ member: Patrick Carney, local 24 (Akron, OH)

 

Best Engineered Nonclassical Album

Keb’ Mo’ local 47 (Los Angeles, CA)

 

Best Metal Performance

Slipknot member: Corey Taylor, local 47 (Los Angeles, CA)

 

Best Country Duo/Group

Keith Urban, local 257 (Nashville, TN)

 

Best Country Solo Performance 

Hunter Hayes, local 257 (Nashville, TN)

Keith Urban, Local 257 (Nashville, TN)

 

Best Americana Album

Keb’ Mo’ local 47 (Los Angeles, CA)

 

Best American Album

Rosanne Cash, local 802 (New York City) – The River & The Thread

Nickel Creek members: Chris Thile (mandolin) and Mark Schatz (bassist) local 257 (Nashville, TN) and Sara Watkin (fiddle) local 47 (Los Angeles, CA)

 

Song of the Year

Meghan Trainor, local 257 (Nashville, TN) – “All About That Bass”

Taylor Swift, Local 257 (Nashville, TN) – “Shake It Off”

 

Best Country Song

Kenny Chesney, local 257 (NAshville, TN) – “American Kids”

Glen Campbell, local 47 (Los Angeles, CA) – “I’m Not Gonna Miss You”

 

Best Rock Album

Black Keys’ member: Patrick Carney, local 24 (Akron, OH) – Turn Blue

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA) – Hypnotic Eye

 

Best Rock Song

Black Keys’ member: Patrick Carney, local 24 (Akron, OH) – “Fever”

Ryan Adams, Local 257 (Nashville, TN) – “Gimme Something Good”

 

Best Pop Solo Performance

John Legend, Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA) – “All of Me” (Live Version)

Taylor Swift, Local 257 (Nashville, TN) – “Shake It Off”

 

Record of the Year

Taylor Swift, Local 257 (Nashville, TN) – “Shake It Off”

Meghan Trainor, Local 257 (Nashville, TN) – “All About That Bass”