Obituary for Charlene Larson | Breeland Funeral Home and Crematory Service
- Date Of Birth: February 11, 1937
- Date Of Death: October 28, 2021
- State: Mississippi
A native of Canton, Mississippi, Charlene spent several childhood years in Alvarado, Minnesota and Monrovia, California before returning to Canton where she graduated from high school. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a vocal performance major from Blue Mountain College in Mississippi and a Master of Music from the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa.
She taught in public schools in Brandon, Mississippi, Hueytown and Birmingham, Alabama before joining the faculty at Northeast Alabama Community College. She taught a variety of courses in music and speech. She was named Northeast’s Outstanding Faculty Member for 1997-98.
As the choral director for Northeast Chorus, they were honored to be invited to sing at the reopening of Fort Payne Opera House and also invite by D. Peter Tiboris to be a part of nine performances of major choral works in Carnegie Hall under the auspices of MidAmerica Productions.
Her memberships included Delta Omicron, Delta Kappa Gamma, Scottsboro Music Study Club and other civic and education organizations. She served as President of the Alabama Federation of Music Clubs (1985-1987), NFMC Opera for Youth Chairman (1987-89), NFMC Dixie District Coordinator (1989-91), on several committees including Fund for Pas Presidents and Publicity and was a NFMC life member. Several of her articles were published in the Music Clubs Magazine.
A highlight for her was an invitation from Morton Gould of American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers for a dinner at their headquarters in New York City to thank Senator Howell Heflin for keeping the copyright bill in committee. AFMC honored her with scholarships to Northeast and AFMC Student Auditions. Charlene was passionate about her love for music and always enthusiastic in her support for young musicians
The theme for her term of office was “Music is a fair and glorious gift of God.” (Martin Luther)