By Eric Furth
Staff Writer
The Grammy Foundation recognized Mira Costa’s Music Department as a “Gold Recipient” on Tuesday, ranking it among the top three of 12 “Grammy Signature Schools” nationwide.
Out of more than 20,000 public high schools and 123 semifinalists, the Grammy Foundation chose Costa for a $5,000 grant to further the school’s success in the Music Department.
“To be named a ‘Grammy Gold Signature School’ is one of the highest achievements a music department can get,” Costa choir director Michael Hayden said. “To say this is an honor does not adequately describe how I feel. When band director Joel Carlson told me, I cried tears of joy.”
To be selected, each school submitted recordings of its performances from a variety of music groups at their school. Music teachers and professional musicians from across the country judged these recordings.
“When I first heard that we’d won the Grammy, I was pretty surprised and really happy,” band member sophomore Cameron DeLuca stated. “This is a pretty big achievement for us.”
The Music Department called all music students into the auditorium on March 13 to announce that they had received the award.
“Receiving this award shows the outstanding level at which we perform,” orchestra member senior Koh Shoda said.
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