Congratulations to our GRAMMY nominees!

8VA clients Andy Akiho (composer and percussionist) and Gerard Schwarz (conductor) have been nominated for the GRAMMY® Awards.

Best Classical Instrumental Solo 
“Longing” by Andy Akiho

Best Classical Compendium
“BeLonging” by Andy Akiho

Andy Akiho & Imani Winds
Andy Akiho, Sean Dixon and Mark Dover: producers

Aki Rhythm Productions
Click to stream album

BeLonging is a series of tight, highly choreographed movements for wind quintet and steel pan that speak to the universality of humanity, even — especially — when that humanity is bound.

Be Loud!
Be Loved!
Be Longing!

The piece was conceived by Imani Winds and Andy Akiho, who composed all the music. It was premiered on October 26, 2022, at Kaufman Music Center’s Merkin Hall, New York City, as part of the Ecstatic Music Series. The compositions were commissioned by the Imani Winds, with support from the Concert Artist Guild’s Richard Weinert Award for Innovation in Classical Music, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Best Opera Recording

“The Shining” by Paul Moravec and Mark Campbell

Kansas City Symphony
Lyric Opera of Kansas City Chorus
Gerard Schwarz, conductor
Edward Parks: Jack (baritone)
Kelly Kaduce: Wendy (soprano)
Tristan Hallett: Danny
Blanton Alspaugh, producer

Pentatone
Click to stream album

The 2016 opera The Shining, based on Stephen King's novel, “elevates the tale from horror story to a human drama” (Wall Street Journal) through an electrifying score by composer Paul Moravec and a deft libretto by Mark Campbell, both of whom are Pulitzer Prize winners. After several critically acclaimed performances, you can now enjoy The Shining as a recording for the first time, with Gerard Schwarz conducting the Lyric Opera of Kansas City.

Congratulations Andy and Jerry!