Clarksville, TN – The Acuff Circle of Excellence will honor George and Sharon Mabry at the organization’s summertime Jazz in June on June 12th. The event, from 5:30pm to 7:00pm, 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.
The Mabrys have worn the mantle of “First Couple of Music” 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, “The Performing Life: A Singer’s Guide to Survival,” 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 “Six Folk Songs of the Americas” 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’s degree from Florida State University and a Master of Music and a Doctor of Philosophy from George Peabody College at Vanderbilt University.
