Hill explained, "The Grammy Awards people sent me a survey of philosophical questions, such as what have you done for music education in your community? So, I answered the questions, thinking this will never go through. A month or so ago, they contacted me about becoming a quarterfinalist. It started with 2,800 recommendations and now it's down to 188. By the end of the year, it will be down to the semifinalists and then the finalists. So, we won't know until December."
The winner will receive an actual Grammy, and the organization will fly that person out to be a guest at the ceremony in Los Angeles. The winner gets $1,000 and another $1,000 for his or her school. Each semifinalist gets $500 and another $500 for his or her school.
Hill says she is both humbled and honored that the music industry has recognized her teaching orchestra to high school students.
"The Grammy Awards are recognized internationally," she explained recently. "It's one of the big four award shows, along with Oscars, Emmys, and Tonys. I'm blown away that I even would be considered for a Grammy. I was nominated anonymously; so, I don't even know who nominated me."
"The very fact that in rural western Kentucky, the Graves County School District can attract a large number of students to learn to play classical music at high levels indicates the measurable difference Hill brings to the lives of her students, their families, our schools, and the surrounding community," said Graves County Schools Assistant Superintendent Carla Whitis.
"Although Dr. Hill is not the first teacher in our orchestra program, her influence has created a paradigm shift," Whitis continued. "Under her leadership, the feeder program in the district's elementary and middle schools has grown tremendously in the number of students participating. The reasons include the fact that she has kept the program challenging for her students. She insists on their learning music that is difficult to master. That all contributes to the pride and confidence resulting when they master difficult pieces. Much of the music also is music the students enjoy, adding to their interest and effort."
Hill actually is in her second stint of directing the Graves High orchestra. She's been back four years, following a three-year sabbatical to pursue a doctorate. "The whole point of my going for the Ph.D. was to come back to lead significant change in a program I love right here in Graves County," Hill said.
"Through that experience (of earning the doctorate), I got to travel across the country and give presentations to national organizations and several colleges because of connections resulting from Ohio State University (her doctorate program) and Dr. Bob Gillespie (her lead professor-mentor). I got guest conducting spots from Colorado to Philadelphia."
She added, "What's really great about the whole doctorate experience is that it really has changed my entire way of thinking – how to teach students. I try to get students to go beyond their backyard to where they play in different settings – including the National Honor Orchestra, through which they've played in Albequerque, N.M., as well as Indianapolis, the United Nations in New York, and we're going to play for the Chicago Cover Conductor. We've played in Florida and Washington, D.C., and all that helps broaden the students' minds to possibilities."
"Dr. Hill believes in developing her students as musicians," Whitis said. "She believes in keeping the program fresh, by engaging students in additions such as the electric rock orchestra as well as the symphony orchestra that includes brass, woodwinds, and percussion, in addition to strings. She always keeps her standards for the program very high and she inspires the students and their families to take ownership of those challenging standards. While maintaining professionalism and high expectations, she also speaks the language of today's students."
"In a larger sense, we're using music as a vehicle to break down barriers for these students to understand that they can compete and succeed at high levels," Hill said. "Mrs. Whitis and I work on vision by using my experience from very large organizations and schools that had more than half of their students enrolled in a performing art ensembles and her administrative prowess. She gives me room to dream and she finds ways to make it happen. She believes in the transformative power of the arts in the lives of students and the community."
"I am very happy that the Grammy Awards has recognized Laura Hill's talent, leadership, and success in teaching high school students orchestra," Whitis concluded. "Her excellent work makes a tremendous difference in their lives and teaches life lessons about dedication, perseverance, hard work, and more."
