Lansing — Kanye and Mariah got nothing on the MSU Children's Choir.
The singing group, made up of fourth through 10th graders, nabbed Grammy Awards on Wednesday for best classical album and best choral performance for the album "Songs of Innocence and of Experience," by composer William Bolcom, on which the MSU choir performed.
"We won! We won!" shouted choir member Zack Kribs, 12, of Mason, after hearing the announcement early Wednesday evening.
Kids gathered at the University Club, 3435 Forest Road in Lansing, to celebrate the nominations. Before the announcement of the win, the Grammy bug hadn't bit. The buzz wasn't about nervous butterflies, it was about uncomfortable shoes, dresses and ties.
But then MSU psychology Professor Gary Stollak, husband of the choir's founding director, approached a podium near the front of the room with an announcement. He had received a phone call earlier in the evening and did his best to disguise the excitement.
"You've won two Grammys!" he shouted to the children, his voice growing louder and happier as he revealed the good news.
There wasn't a drawn-out acceptance speech, but there were squeals, hugs, handshakes and tears.
"I don't know how a celebrity feels," said Gary Cooper, 13, an eighth grader at Williamston Middle School and an MSU Children's Choir member. "But it just feels wonderful. Too good to be true."
The album was recorded at Hill Auditorium on the University of Michigan's campus and is a compilation of more than 400 performers — 40 of which were members of the MSU Children's Choir.
"We did the performance in 2004 and then forgot about it," said Mary Alice Stollak, founding director of the choir. "And then in early December we were informed of the nominations. I'm just so excited for the children. I'm extremely proud that MSU could be a part of this."
Stollak founded the choir in 1993, but has never before been nominated for a Grammy.
Grace Hanson, 17, a junior at East Lansing High School, has been involved in the choir program for eight years, and he said the news of the nominations was a total shock.
"It was very exciting. They told us while we were recording it that it might be a possibility," she said. "But we never actually expected it."
The choir practices every Tuesday night and two Saturdays a month.
"It really helps you grow," said choir member Rebecca Reisdorff, 13, an eighth grader at Chippewa Middle School in Okemos. "It shows you how to practice and commit, and you meet so many people. It's like a family."
Pete Marvin, manager of the MSU Children's Choir, has been involved with the choir for four years and said winning the awards is unbelievable.
"It's extremely exciting. The nomination in the first place and this takes it way beyond," Marvin said. "The children are amazing and this project was just massive and incredible."
