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Photo: Music Educator Award nominees | By Nina Frazier, |Grammys |The 2025 GRAMMYs, officially known as the 67th GRAMMY Awards, will air live on CBS and Paramount+ on Sunday, Feb. 2. The 2025 GRAMMYs telecast will be reimagined to raise funds to support wildfire relief efforts and aid music professionals impacted by the wildfires in Los Angeles. Donate to the Recording Academy’s and MusiCares’ Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort To Support Music Professionals.

The Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum have announced Adrian L. Maclin of Cordova High School in Memphis, Tennessee, as the 2025 Music Educator Award recipient. Maclin, an esteemed choral director with nearly two decades of teaching experience, has been honored for his exceptional dedication to music education and his lasting impact on students’ lives.

He will be recognized during the Special Merit Awards Ceremony on Saturday, Feb. 1.

Maclin’s choirs have performed at prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall and the Tennessee Music Educators Association conference, and he serves on several music education leadership boards. His commitment extends beyond the classroom, supporting fellow educators and advocating for equitable access to high-quality choral music programs.

In addition to Maclin, nine other finalists have been recognized for their dedication to music education, each receiving a $1,000 honorarium along with a matching grant for their schools.
Finalists, School Name, City, State
Justin Antos: Eisenhower High School, Blue Island, Illinois
Stephen Blanco: Las Vegas High School, Las Vegas, Nevada
Ethan Chessin: Camas High School, Camas, Washington
J.D. Frizzell: Briarcrest Christian School, Eads, Tennessee
Bernie Hendricks, Jr.: Ocoee High School, Ocoee, Florida
Jennifer Jimenez: South Miami Sr. High School, Miami, Florida
Coty Raven Morris: Portland State University, Portland, Oregon
Matthew Shephard: Meridian Early College High School, Sanford, Michigan
Katie Silcott: Olentangy Shanahan Middle School, Lewis Center, Ohio

Celebrating Music Educators Nationwide

The Music Educator Award recognizes teachers who make a lasting impact on students through exceptional music education programs. The award is open to all U.S. music teachers, and nominations are submitted by students, parents, colleagues, and community members.

Each year, one recipient is selected from 10 finalists, with the honoree receiving a $10,000 honorarium and a matching grant for their school’s music program. The remaining finalists each receive $1,000 with matching grants, while 15 semifinalists receive $500 honorariums with school grants.

The program is supported by the Chuck Lorre Family Foundation, along with the American Choral Directors Association, National Association for Music Education, NAMM Foundation, and National Education Association.

About Adrian L. Maclin

Now in his twelfth year as Director of Choirs at Cordova High School, Adrian L. Maclin has been instrumental in shaping young musicians. A graduate of Philander Smith University, Maclin was inspired by his own music teachers in Memphis City Schools and has since become a mentor to educators and students alike.

Under his leadership, Cordova’s choirs have performed on national stages, gaining recognition for their emotionally compelling and thought-provoking performances.

Maclin also serves as Minister of Music at Mount Moriah-East Baptist Church, Assistant Artistic Director for Memphis Choral Arts, and conductor for the Memphis Men’s Chorale. His dedication to mentoring young musicians has earned him previous accolades, including recognition as a Country Music Association Foundation Music Teacher of Excellence.

Nominate A Teacher For The 2026 Music Educator Award

Nominations and applications for the 2026 Music Educator Award are now open. Students, parents, colleagues, and community members are encouraged to nominate outstanding music educators who inspire and shape the next generation of musicians.

To submit a nomination or learn more, visit GRAMMYMusicTeacher.com.

[Note: Arvada West HS’s own choir director Chris Manau was nominated a couple of times but did not win. Chris has since moved to a college in Oregon, and has received several awards since!]

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Kirk Franklin to Receive Black Music Icon Award at 2025 Recording Academy Honors

By Nina Frazier, Grammys | Grammy winner Kirk Franklin will be celebrated at the 2025 Recording Academy Honors presented by the Black Music Collective, one of the marquee events during Grammy Week 2025. Franklin will receive the Black Music Icon Award, which celebrates Black music creators whose commitment to their craft has profoundly shaped the industry and whose legacy of service inspires countless people around the world.

An official GRAMMY Week 2025 event, the fourth annual Recording Academy Honors Presented by the Black Music Collective takes place Thursday, Jan. 30, at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles, days ahead of the 2025 GRAMMYs. The event will highlight Franklin’s transformative impact on gospel music and his dedication to mentoring the next generation of creators.

“Kirk has not only revolutionized gospel music, but has also bridged the gap between genres, redefining the possibilities of musical expression and inspiring generations with his message of hope and faith,” Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. said. “His unwavering dedication to his craft and his legacy of service embody the very essence of the Black Music Icon Award. We look forward to honoring Kirk for his profound influence on the industry and the countless lives he continues to touch worldwide.”

A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Franklin began playing piano at the age of 4 and directing choirs by 11. His groundbreaking debut album, Kirk Franklin & The Family, became the first gospel album to sell over 1 million copies, remaining on Billboard’s Gospel charts for an impressive 100 weeks. Known for iconic tracks such as “Stomp,” “Revolution,” and “Brighter Day,” Franklin’s innovative music has crossed over into mainstream success, reshaping the gospel genre.

Through a joint-venture partnership with RCA Records and his company, Fo Yo Soul Entertainment, Franklin has created diverse, Christ-centered content while mentoring urban youth. Across his 13 albums, all certified gold or platinum, he has earned multiple accolades, including nine Dove Awards, 33 Stellar Awards, and a Soul Train Award. His collaborations with artists such as Kanye WestMary J. Blige, and Chance the Rapper have further bridged the gap between gospel and mainstream music, reaching wider audiences.

In addition to his musical achievements, Franklin is an author, penning the 2011 book The Blueprint: A Plan for Living Above Life’s Storms, which addresses topics like marriage, politics and faith with refreshing transparency. Through his foundation, the Franklin Imagine Group (TFIG), he leads community outreach initiatives focused on education and mentorship, empowering future generations to grow through faith and music.

Franklin’s leadership of urban contemporary gospel choirs — including the Family, God’s Property, and One Nation Crew (1NC) — continues to dominate the Billboard Gospel charts while achieving crossover appeal. As a trailblazer in gospel music, Franklin’s legacy resonates on a global scale, uniting audiences through the transformative power of faith.

The Black Music Collective is a hub for power players in Black music, across all genres, under the GRAMMY roof, bringing together creative geniuses and business leaders to set unified goals, align on a shared agenda, and build community. Follow the Black Music Collective on Instagram and Facebook for exclusive content.

The 2025 Recording Academy Honors Presented by the Black Music Collective will mark the fourth consecutive year of celebrating influential Black artists and industry leaders. Produced by MVD Inc., with Adam Blackstone returning as music supervisor, the event continues to recognize those whose contributions have profoundly shaped the music industry and culture.

2025 GRAMMYs: See The OFFICIAL Full Nominations List

Photo: Grammys nominees

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