PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia choral group The Crossing celebrated a big win at the 67th Grammy Awards over the weekend. And less than a day later, the group was back to business as usual, rehearsing in Chestnut Hill.
“I was convinced we wouldn’t win, because we’ve had our share,” said conductor Donald Nally.
This was their fourth Grammy. And it was the ninth consecutive year they were nominated. But when The Crossing started 20 years ago, conductor Donald Nally says, he didn’t see it coming.
“We weren’t serious at the beginning. We were just fooling around,” Nally said. “We weren’t serious about creating, like, a thing.”
But it surely did become a thing.
“People began to notice, and my co-founder, Jeff, and I thought, ‘Maybe this is a thing!’
The group won for Best Choral Performance for their album “Ochre,” featuring the music of Ayanna Woods, George Lewis and Caroline Shaw.
“You know everything we do is new. Most of it is written for us. So every single thing is a journey because we’re creating it for the first time.”
Maren Montalbano, an alto vocalist in The Crossing, explains the album is a reflection of the times, political and outspoken.
“One thing I really feel is very important, especially in this time, is representation. There are two Black composers and two women composers on this album, and it’s so wonderful,” Montalbano said.
“It’s so wonderful to be a part of something that is so inclusive, especially when there are people in this world who want to be the exact opposite. I feel it’s really important as artists to stand up and make our voices heard.”