The Albany Symphony Orchestra picked up one of the most prestigious honors in music Sunday: a Grammy Award, the first such nomination and win in the orchestra's 84-year history.

The ASO was awarded best classical instrumental solo for its recording of composer John Corigliano's "Conjurer — Concerto For Percussionist & String Orchestra," released on Naxos and recorded in the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall.

This 36-minute percussion concerto was conducted by David Alan Miller, a Delmar resident and music director for the ASO since 1992.

"I'm overwhelmed and amazed and just delighted," said Miller from the Grammys ceremony Sunday night in Los Angeles. "It's a real tribute to our orchestra and our mission."

That mission, to play new and overlooked American works, is unique. While many orchestras focus on classic works, the ASO plays and records pieces that have never been made available before.

"We focus on the best living American composers," said Miller. "We give voice to their beautiful music that would otherwise never be heard by a broad audience."

The ASO is small, often struggles for funds and is composed of part-time musicians. That puts it in stark contrast with some of the competition it faced in its Grammy category, including the New York Philharmonic.

As an orchestra from a small metropolitan area, the ASO has played some distinguished venues, including two concerts at Carnegie Hall.

The win will certainly raise the ASO's profile, which is helpful because over the next two or three years the ASO is expected to release five new studio recordings. Its focus on these types of releases also makes it unique, since most orchestras only do live concert recordings, if they record at all.

Miller estimates a studio recording costs them between $50,000 to $80,000 per disc, which it's managed to do with the help of foundations and public funds.

It's not a money-making venture, but the sense of mission endures. "This is validation of all our efforts," Miller said.

asanto@timesunion.com • 518-454-5008 • @alysiasanto