Multiple JUNO nominees from McMaster

McMaster will have much to cheer for during this year's JUNO Awards festivities.

The annual celebration of the best in Canadian music, scheduled for April 1 in Ottawa, will see seven university alumni vie for multiple awards.

Hamilton-based rock band Arkells, which includes Social Sciences alumni Max Kerman, Mike DeAngelis, Nick Dika and Dan Griffin, has been nominated for Group of the Year and Rock Album of the Year for its latest release, Michigan Left. The five-piece band, including drummer Tim Oxford, won a JUNO Award in 2010 for Best New Group.

This year, Arkells are competing against some of the country's best-known acts including Nickelback, Sam Roberts Band, Matthew Good and Sloan.

Electronic pop duo Junior Boys, which consists of Humanities alumni Jeremy Greenspan and Matt Didemus, has been nominated for Electronic Album of the Year. The pair was nominated for a Grammy Award last year. Fellow Humanities graduate Diana Panton is in the running for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year.

“Our faculty strives every day to provide a dynamic place of formation, reflection and transformation through the liberal arts,” said Suzanne Crosta, Dean of Humanities.

“Students come to us with a creative spark, with ideas and vision. We try to magnify that spark, to form it, expand it, and allow it to be channeled by coherence and depth. If you really want to hear what that means in practice, just listen to Diana Panton's beautiful, lush jazz soundscapes and you'll get it.”

Charlotte Yates, Dean of Social Sciences, shares in the excitement of so many alumni being honoured for their musical abilities.

“Attending an Arkells performance, or listening to their music, is thought-provoking and musically satisfying. But it's also just plain fun,” she said. “Arkells show that McMaster is a strong community, and they reinforce a sense of community in the larger setting of Hamilton. They also show that when you combine academics and outside activities about which you are passionate, you can become well-rounded and successful and contribute to the community in unique ways.”

The live edition of the 2012 JUNO Awards will be broadcast April 1 on CTV, and will be hosted by William Shatner.

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McMaster will have much to cheer for during this year&#039;s JUNO Awards festivities.<br />
<br />
The annual celebration of the best in Canadian music, scheduled for April 1 in Ottawa, will see seven university alumni vie for multiple awards.<br />
<br />
Hamilton-based rock band Arkells, which includes Social Sciences alumni Max Kerman, Mike DeAngelis, Nick Dika and Dan Griffin, has been nominated for Group of the Year and Rock Album of the Year for its latest release, Michigan Left. The five-piece band, including drummer Tim Oxford, won a JUNO Award in 2010 for Best New Group.<br />
<br />
This year, Arkells are competing against some of the country&#039;s best-known acts including Nickelback, Sam Roberts Band, Matthew Good and Sloan. <br />
<br />
Electronic pop duo Junior Boys, which consists of Humanities alumni Jeremy Greenspan and Matt Didemus, has been nominated for Electronic Album of the Year. The pair was nominated for a Grammy Award last year. Fellow Humanities graduate Diana Panton is in the running for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year. <br />
<br />
"Our faculty strives every day to provide a dynamic place of formation, reflection and transformation through the liberal arts," said Suzanne Crosta, Dean of Humanities.<br />
<br />
"Students come to us with a creative spark, with ideas and vision. We try to magnify that spark, to form it, expand it, and allow it to be channeled by coherence and depth. If you really want to hear what that means in practice, just listen to Diana Panton&#039;s beautiful, lush jazz soundscapes and you&#039;ll get it."<br />
<br />
Charlotte Yates, Dean of Social Sciences, shares in the excitement of so many alumni being honoured for their musical abilities. <br />
<br />
"Attending an Arkells performance, or listening to their music, is thought-provoking and musically satisfying. But it&#039;s also just plain fun," she said. "Arkells show that McMaster is a strong community, and they reinforce a sense of community in the larger setting of Hamilton. They also show that when you combine academics and outside activities about which you are passionate, you can become well-rounded and successful and contribute to the community in unique ways."<br />
<br />
The live edition of the 2012 JUNO Awards will be broadcast April 1 on CTV, and will be hosted by William Shatner.

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