George Shirley is our third recipient and is the epitome of what this award represents.  George accomplished a lot of firsts:  He was

• The first African American to be assigned to a high school teaching position in vocal music in Detroit
• The first African-American member of the United States Army Chorus.
• In 1961, he won the Metropolitan Opera Auditions thus becoming the first African American tenor to be awarded a contract with the Met as a leading artist, the beginning of an eleven-year association.
• Over the span of his career, George has had a vested interest in helping African American students reach their full potential.
• He has inspired countless African American classical singers for decades; and is probably the most respected black male opera singer on this earth; he has mentored students since the 1980’s as a college professor and as a clinician with the National Association Of Negro Musicians’ Young Artists Division and numerous other venues. George commented that “I have the two things in my professional life that are the most meaningful to me – teaching and performing”.
• George has received a certificate of appreciation for playing a significant role in establishing the Legacy Awards for African-American Singers through the National Opera Association, was a “Lift Every Voice” Legacy Award Recipient in 2003 and in 2015 A Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient by NOA.
• As lecturer and adjudicator, Mr. Shirley has traveled across the nation presenting distinctive insights into traditional music, music written for the concert stage, the role of the musical performer, and especially the singular role of black composers and performers.
• In 2011, The George Shirley African American Art Song and Operatic Aria Competition launched as the realization of a long-held dream. This competition focuses on African American Vocal Repertoire and is open to singers of all ethnicities and African American composers.
• George has always been a champion of William Warfield, promoting his career and performing and recording with him.
• In 1974 he interviewed William Warfield as part of radio series, titled, ‘Classical Music and the Afro-American”, where he stated:

“Of all the singers that this country has produced in this century, none is more respected or beloved than baritone William Warfield. For more than ¼ of a century William has brought pleasure to audiences the world over. His vocal artistry and dramatic ability have been applauded in every corner of the globe, Broadway, television, radio, the concert stage, movies and to a lesser extent the operatic stage have all served as vehicles for William Warfield many talents. It is with pride and pleasure that I welcome this great artist.”

• In May, 1994 the George combined forces with renowned baritones Robert McFerrin Sr. and William Warfield, along with other artists, in a concert at Howard University in Washington, DC in support of plans for a Marian Anderson National Conservatory of Music.