Acuff Circle to honor Mabrys at Jazz in June event
CLARKSVILLE, TENN. 鈥 The Acuff Circle of Excellence will honor George and Sharon Mabry at the organization's summertime Jazz in June on June 12. The event, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., will be at Beachaven Vineyards and Winery, and the public is invited.
CLARKSVILLE, TENN. 鈥 The Acuff Circle of Excellence will honor George and Sharon Mabry at the organization's summertime Jazz in June on June 12. The event, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., will be at Beachaven Vineyards and Winery, and the public is invited.
The Circle, a non-profit organization affiliated with the Austin Peay State University Foundation, serves as a patron society of the University's Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts, and advances the importance of arts and culture at the University and in the community. The endowed Acuff Circle of Excellence Arts Scholarship is awarded each year to an APSU student majoring in the fine arts.
Jazz in June celebrates the arts with community members gathering to enjoy music and hors d'oeuvres. The cost is $30 for Acuff Circle members and $40 for non-members and guests. Reservations can be made by June 8 at harveyc@apsu.edu or at 931-221-7876.
The Mabrys have worn the mantle of 鈥淔irst Couple of Music鈥 in the greater Clarksville area for five decades, but their endeavors stretch well beyond to national and international note.
Sharon, a mezzo-soprano, first received national recognition in the 1980 National Public Radio Art of Song series when she was a featured recitalist. Since then her sensitive interpretation of traditional and contemporary music has placed her in demand as a recitalist, soloist with symphony orchestras and as a master teacher of vocal techniques.
Scarecrow Press published her latest book, 鈥淭he Performing Life: A Singer鈥檚 Guide to Survival,鈥 in 2012. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Florida State University and a Master of Music and a Doctor of Musical Arts from George Peabody College at Vanderbilt University. She also holds a performance certificate from the prestigious Franz-Schubert-Institut in Austria.
George, a versatile composer, has written for symphony orchestras, choral ensembles, soloists and theme parks. Roger Dean, Sacred Music Press, St. James Press and Hinshaw Music have published many of his works. His choral works are widely performed by high school, university and professional choral groups. His collection of 鈥Six Folk Songs of the Americas鈥 has received outstanding reviews and numerous performances.
He was conductor of The Nashville Symphony Chorus from 1997 to 2012. George, professor of music emeritus at APSU, was director of Choral Activities and director of the Center for the Creative Arts from 1970-2003. A native Tennessean, he holds a bachelor鈥檚 degree from Florida State University and a Master of Music and a Doctor of Philosophy from George Peabody College at Vanderbilt University.
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