MSU artists earn two Latin Grammy nominations

Michigan State University College of Music announced that a project created fully at MSU has been nominated for two Latin Grammy Awards.

MSU Wind Symphony rehearsing in the Wharton Center (photo taken pre-COVID-19).

“King Mangoberry” is a suite of music for wind symphony written by MSU Professor of Composition Ricardo Lorenz that has gained international recognition. In addition to Lorenz, the recording was created with participation from MSU and the surrounding community. Contributions include:

• Performed by students in the MSU Wind Symphony
• Conducted by MSU Professor of Music Kevin Sedatole
• Produced by MSU Assistant Professor of Music David Thornton
• Arranged by MSU Music alumnus Travis Higa
• Recorded locally by MSU Music alumnus Sergei Kvitko

Posing for a picture after a rehearsal in Cobb Great Hall of Wharton Center for Performing Arts, (left to right) Kevin Sedatole, conductor; Manuel Alejandro Rangel, maracas; Ricardo Lorenz, composer (photo taken pre-COVID-19).

In addition, the artwork for the CD package was created by seventh and eighth grade students from Chippewa Middle School, Okemos, Mich.

“This is a significant recognition by the movers and shakers of the Latin music industry for the type of intercultural collaborations that happen inside the College of Music," Lorenz said. "This is particularly special to me because it involves Kevin Sedatole, who I have worked with for the past 15 years, the musical influence of my native Venezuela, as well as the artistic talents of my son Niklas and some of his friends from his middle school in Okemos.”

The homegrown project, created entirely in Michigan, is now at the epicenter of Latin Music after being nominated for Best Classical Album and Best Classical Contemporary Composition for the track Pataruco. The latter features renowned maracas player Manuel Alejandro Rangel, and it is the first time in Latin Grammy history that Venezuelan maracas are in a classical music category nomination.