Several graduates of Eastman School of Music nominated for Grammy Awards

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — The Eastman School Of Music is gearing up for the 64th Grammy Awards.

Several graduates have been nominated. School officials say over the last few years, nominations for these types of awards have been regular for them. The school is not only cheering on the Grammy nominees, but on another high note, they’re celebrating its centennial.

"Being nominated is a tremendous honor,” said Jamal Rossi, the dean of the school.

Several graduates have been nominated for Grammy awards like "Best Contemporary Instrumental Album," "Best Opera Performance" and more. Leaders at the school of music say they’re best known for their traditional melodies, but like any other industry, music is always evolving.

"We are constantly looking at, what are the essential skills that we need to make sure our students are learning as students so they can make a multi-decade career,” Rossi said.

Some of those essential skill-building strategies, translate into different programs that explore all areas of music, but Dean Rossi recognizes how well they excel with "traditional" ways they play.

"We are both evolving in what we have done very well like in the classical world, in the last few years we have added different certificate programs in contemporary music and adding a vocal jazz track, we’ve never actually had vocal jazz majors.”

Staying in tune to what they do best and welcoming new ways is what Rossi says keeps the recognition coming for students and even faculty.

"We’re also talking about new programs, like audio and music engineering. Some of them hopefully will walk away with one of these awards, but the fact that they’ve gotten to this level is recognition of their work and artistry,” Rossi added.

The 64th Grammy awards will air on Jan. 31. Here is a list of those local names to look for.

• Best Contemporary Instrumental Album: Steve Gadd ‘68E, At Blue Note Tokyo
• Best Instrumental Composition: Tom Nazziola ‘88E, Cat and Mouse
• Best Opera Performance: Poulenc: Dialogues des Carmelites with soprano Erin Morley ‘02E
  • produced by a Producer of the Year nominee, David Frost
• Best Choral Performance: Mahler Symphony No. 8 with soprano Erin Morley
• Best Chamber Music/ Small Ensemble Performance: John Luther Adams: Lines Made by Walking with JACK Quartet; including John Pickford Richards ‘02E, ‘04E (MM), viola and Christopher Otto ‘06E, cello
• Best Classical Solo Vocal Album: Dreams of a New Day, Will Liverman, baritone; Paul Sanchez ‘09E (MM), 13E (DMA), piano