Director of Bands Donald McKinney
Congratulations are in store for three members of the College of Music community!
Director of Bands Donald McKinney, jazz alumna Tia Fuller (MM '00) and opera alumnus Wei Wu (MM and PC '13) were all on the list of the 2019 Grammy Award nominees, announced on Dec. 7.
Donald McKinney
Donald McKinney was nominated as producer, along with conductor Jerry Junkin, for their recording of "John Williams at the Movies" with Dallas Winds. The nomination is in the Best Classical Compendium category, which recognizes recordings with at least 51 percent newly recorded material. McKinney's other recent recording credits include projects with the University of Michigan Symphony Band, University of Texas Wind Ensemble, University of North Texas Wind Symphony, Keystone Wind Ensemble and the Duquesne University Wind Symphony.
Alumnus Wei Wu (MM, PC '13)
Wei Wu
Wei Wu, who appeared in the Eklund Opera Program production of "Sweeney Todd" in March, was nominated in two categories for his work in the Mason Bates' opera "The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs." Wu played Jobs' spiritual advisor Kôbun Chino Otogawa in the work, which had its premiere run at Santa Fe Opera last year. Wu was named among the nominees in the Best Opera Recording and Best Contemporary Classical Composition categories. His upcoming appearances include "Il barbiere di Siviglia" with Washington National Opera and a performance of Verdi's "Requiem" with the West Virginia Symphony.
Alumna Tia Fuller (MM '00)
Tia Fuller
Finally, jazz saxophonist Tia Fuller's new album, "Diamond Cut," was nominated in the Best Jazz Instrumental Album category. Fuller spoke at College of Music commencement in 2018 as a Distinguished Alumni Award winner, and has fashioned a career as one of the top jazz artist-educators in the country. Fuller has been featured on the cover of Saxophone Today, Jazz Education Journal and JazzTimes Magazine and has received numerous other awards and accolades, including winning Downbeat Critic’s Poll “Rising Star” two years in a row. Fuller has toured with Beyoncé and performed at the White House for President Obama; she also teaches full time at Berklee School of Music.
The 61st Grammy Awards are Sunday, Feb. 10. To see the full list of 2019 Grammy nominees, visit the Grammy Awards website.
Congratulations to our Music Buff nominees!
