Since 1959, when musical geniuses such as Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and Doris Day gathered to witness the most prestigious award ceremony for music, the Grammy Awards have been recognizing outstanding achievements in the music industry.
The Grammys took place this year on Feb. 1. Some of the more well known awards went to Bad Bunny for his album “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” and Kendrick Lamar and SZA for their song “Luther.” Olivia Dean took home the Grammy for Best New Artist and Billie Eilish was given the Grammy for Song of the Year.
These famous awards are voted on by academy members who are supposedly professional artists. The University of Dallas Department Chair and associate professor of music Dr. Kristin Van Cleve, provided some professional insight into the Grammy Awards.
Van Cleve is fond of the album that won best classical vocal solo album, “Telemann: Ino — Opera Arias for Soprano” by Amanda Forsythe. This album uses instruments that are reproductions of those used in the Baroque period. Van Cleve described this music as, “much more intimate” and “very beautiful.” She attended one of these performances in person and was very excited to see that it won a Grammy.
Many music lovers complain that music has gone down in quality over the years, but Van Cleve disagreed. While her favorite composers — Bach, Debussy, and Beethoven — are “important in the history of western music and stand the test of time as they are still listened to today,” she finds value in the work of contemporary composers. In the eyes of Van Cleve, “The modern [artists] are every bit as skilled as the classical artists. Each song requires excellent musicianship even though it’s a different genre.”
To Van Cleve, the Grammys are more than an awards ceremony. She believes that the “Grammys are important because they recognize music and musicians and keep them as a part of our culture.” “Our culture is so fragmented, and music brings us together,” she said.
In addition to professional music specialists, younger followers of pop culture also give us insight into the contemporary context around the highly anticipated ceremony.
Freshman Clara Ramirez has followed the Grammys closely. She said, “I think all of them were pretty deserved, especially the best album of the year. I know a lot of people didn’t agree with the best song of the year, but I think it was the best out of the lineup.”
When asked whether the academy members of the Grammys accurately select the winners or whether they are motivated by popular bias, commercial success and campaigning, Clara said, “There is a possibility there could be a bias because though lots of artists are nominated, the same ones get chosen each year. It could be based on talent, but I could believe that it was rigged.”
Some songs received awards that shocked many, especially the song that won Best Pop Solo Performance. “I don’t think ‘Messy’ by Lola Young should have won.” Clara said. “I think there were better choices.”
The song “Messy” was not a lyrical wonder nor is it a musically challenging song to perform, but it is popular. This begs the question: do the Grammys reward outstanding music, or the opinion of the people?
Perhaps we should look at the quality of music instead of which songs get promoted. Music has a deep effect on human beings, and we should seek to elevate what we consider to be the best music produced.