Donnacha Dennehy wins the 2026 Grammy in “Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance” for his composition “Land Of Winter.”
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University of Illinois School of Music composition alum Donnacha Dennehy (MM ’94, DMA ’14) won a 2026 Grammy in “Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance” for his composition “Land Of Winter.” The piece was performed by Alan Pierson & Alarm Will Sound.
Dennehy recently visited Illinois on November 1st for a concert featuring his music and a world premiere performance at the University of Illinois 2025 New Music Festival. Faculty member Josh Graham commissioned a piece from him using a grant from the Koussevitzky Foundation at the Library of Congress. In addition to his win, his work was also nominated for “Best Classical Composition.” Additionally, alumni Donald Nally, Craig Hella Johnson, and Carolyn Kuan were nominated for Grammys.
The full list of 2026 Grammy winners can be found on the Grammy website.
Donnacha Dennehy wins the 2026 Grammy in “Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance” for his composition “Land Of Winter.”
Donnacha Dennehy, MM ’94, DMA ’14
Dennehy: Land of Winter
Performed by Alan Pierson & Alarm Will Sound