Sony Music Masterworks, De Montfort Music, and AimHigher Recordings Announce Worldwide Distribution Deal

NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Music Masterworks and AimHigher Entertainment are pleased to announce a new worldwide distribution deal. Founded by entertainment industry veterans Monica and Kevin Fitzgibbons, AimHigher Entertainment is home to two labels: De Montfort Music and AimHigher Recordings.

De Montfort Music specializes in chant, polyphony and all areas of sacred music, providing a unique ability to tell the story of this beautiful music created by hidden communities, which links many civilizations throughout humanity. Its sister label, AimHigher Recordings, has a mission to sign, develop and bring to market the very best in eclectic music, also with an overall inspirational theme.

Previously distributed by Universal Music, these releases have regularly topped the Billboard Classical charts, including the most recent award of Billboard's 2016 Classical Traditional Artist and Album of the Year. In addition, these international artists and their recordings will be actively promoted and marketed globally, thus ensuring fans everywhere have better access to this beautiful music than ever before.

The new recordings will be released on Sony Classical, an imprint of Sony Music Masterworks, which was the #1 classical music label in 2016.  It is the home to recorded works of iconic artists like Yo-Yo Ma, Joshua Bell, Plácido Domingo, Jonas Kaufmann, and stars on the rise like Pretty Yende, Igor Levit, and Sonya Yoncheva.

"We have been truly impressed with Monica and Kevin's musical knowledge and innovative ability to market recordings of the highest quality," says Bogdan Roscic, President of Sony Music Masterworks. "2016 was a banner year for Sony Music Masterworks, which holds the #1 market share for classical music in the U.S. With De Montfort/AimHigher Recordings now in our family, 2017 is off to a great start. But the labels' output have a worldwide appeal, and our focus will be to expand this unique music's reach into many new markets."

"We are truly grateful for the remarkable executive leadership and vision of Sony Music Masterworks," says Monica Fitzgibbons, co-founder of AimHigher Entertainment. "The depth of creativity and global orchestration is uniquely suited for exciting growth for our projects, making it the perfect home for these beautiful gems which have been so well loved already by a treasured core of devoted and diverse music lovers."

The first release, on the AimHigher imprint, will be The London Oratory Schola Cantorum Boys Choir, one of three choirs of the world-renowned London Oratory choral program, who have been featured in a number of major motion pictures, including The Lord of The Rings.  The new album, Sacred Treasures of England, will be available February 10, 2017 on Sony Classical.  The release will be supported by a worldwide tour throughout the year.

About Sony Music Masterworks

Sony Music Masterworks comprises the imprints Sony Classical, Masterworks, OKeh, Portrait, and Masterworks Broadway. Our artists range from icons to newly developing talents in classical, crossover and adult music, plus new and legendary jazz artists, as well as a vast catalog of musical theatre recordings. For more information visit www.sonymusicmasterworks.com

About De Montfort Music

De Montfort specializes in chant, polyphony and all areas of sacred music with a concentration on singing orders and communities well trained in this venerable repertoire.  AimHigher Recordings is the sister label of De Montfort Music and releases eclectic Classical and Jazz music. Both labels provide a unique storytelling approach to extraordinary audiovisual projects. The labels have launched several Billboard chart-topping albums, consistently reaching #1 and/or top slots on Billboard's Classical Traditional Year-Ending charts for 2012-2016. For more information visit: www.DeMontfortMusic.com

Media Contacts: 
Angela Barkan / Larissa Slezak 
Angela.Barkan@sonymusic.com Larissa.Slezak@sonymusic.com 
212-833-8575 / 6075

SOURCE Sony Music Masterworks