Charleston Reporter

Paul Sánchez, director of piano studies at the College of Charleston, has been nominated for a Grammy award for best Classical Solo Vocal Album, according to The College Today.

“This Grammy nomination is a huge honor, and it’s an amazing and humbling affirmation that my rather maverick focus on important-but-underrepresented music -- and this project with my friend Will Liverman, in particular -- have made a  positive and meaningful impact in the world,” Sánchez told The College Today.

The album, "Dreams of a New Day," was recorded in collaboration with operatic baritone Will Liverman.

"He selected music for our album that was personally meaningful to him, and we are so honored that our recorded performances of those powerful works have proven to connect deeply with listeners," Sánchez told The College Today.

The album was No. 1 on the Billboard Traditional Classic Albums chart after it was released in February.

“Music by Black composers is underrepresented in recordings and in live performance, and it’s music that should be heard," Sánchez said.

Sánchez and Liverman had planned to record the album in March of 2020. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, Cedille Records rescheduled the recording for July. Because of the delay, the two found themselves recording "Dreams of a New Day" during the racial justice protests that resulted from the murder of George Floyd.

Liverman and Sánchez will perform songs from the album during a concert at the Sottile Theatre on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at 7:30 p.m., according to the College of Charleston.

"The album highlights Black composers across generations, from early 20th-century pioneers Henry Burleigh, Margaret  Bonds and Thomas Kerr to Robert Owens, Leslie Adams and contemporary composers Damien Sneed and Shawn Okpebholo," the College of Charleston said.