ORLANDO, Fla. — The Grammys are this weekend, but not all the awards are given to platinum recording artists. One award in particular is set aside for music teachers called the 2019 Music Educator Award.

  • Dr. Jeffery Redding, Dr. Michael Antmann nominated 
  • Dr. Redding won, will be at Grammys on Sunday
  • Winner receives $10,000 grant, plus one for his school

This year, Orange County Public Schools had two music directors selected out of the 2,800 nominations -- and one of them won the award.

The Recording Academy announced Wednesday that Dr. Jeffery Redding, director of choral activities at West Orange High School, won the 2019 Music Educator Award.

 

"I can’t even put into words how amazing he is," said senior Eliza Simikan. She and her classmates say their life is different, fuller, better, because of Redding. 

"I have learned so much from him, not from just being his student, but from just watching how he gives to everyone," said senior Mekelya Griffin.

“Music is the vehicle, it is so much more life lessons that go on in music,” said Redding.  

Redding says his life lessons in class pass on what he learned from his first teacher: Mrs. Eula Mae Redding, his mother.

He'll be in the audience at the Grammys on Sunday. He'll also receive a $10,000 grant, and an additional $10,000 grant for the school.

“Of all the sacrifices she gave... I gotta, I can never repay her," Redding said. "I can only continue to be the best version of myself."

Redding was nominated along with Dr. Michael Antmann of Freedom High School.

“Oh it’s just the value that I get in this class, it’s just amazing,” said Zachery Utt, Freedom High School Senior. “Really Dr. Antmann was the one that made me realize that not only is this something I enjoy doing but I want to do in the future into college, and maybe as a career too.”

“I didn’t think that I was that good, but then he made me feel like I was something more,” said Sydney Samuels, Freedom high School Junior. “He just helped me individually with my sound and my technique. Helped me become way better than I thought I could be.”

 

The pair are in the Jazz Band and Concert Band that Antmann directs.

“What they do in the music class is so valuable. I just can’t get enough. I would give up a math class if I could,” said Utt.

He couldn’t give up math, but he did give up his lunch hour just to take concert band, which wouldn’t originally fit in his schedule.  Utt says Antmann helped him find a way to still be able to take the class.

Those small actions were just one reason students chose to nominate Antmann.

“It meant a lot because it came as a student nomination, so they nominate, that they recognize… because some days, some days are harder than others,” said Dr. Michael Antmann, Freedom High Band Director.  

“My only regret is I wish I had him for four years,” said Utt.

Dr. Antmann came to Freedom High when students really needed him.

“We had four directors within a period of one year, and the way I put it Dr. Antmann was our superman. He kind of came in at the last second and he really saved our program,” said Utt.

While Antmann did not win the award, when it comes to his students, he has already won.

“We have been telling him for years, you are the best director we have ever had we are so lucky to have you,” said Utt.

“It was a great decision. I don’t ever regret becoming a music teacher,” said Dr. Antmann.