Dr. Joan Anita Goree

A Service of Remembrance for Dr. Joan Anita Goree will be held Wednesday, August 8, 2018, 2:00 PM at Parkway Funeral Home.  Visitation will be held from 12:00 – 2:00.  The Rev. Dallas Culver and the Rev. William H. Smith will officiate. Burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery.

  Beloved teacher, musician, vocalist, concert artist, clinician, author and mentor, Dr. Goree enjoyed her work as a member of the music faculty at Calhoun Community College, Decatur, Alabama.  Prior to joining the faculty, she served Calhoun as faculty secretary, Assistant to the Registrar and Assistant to the Dean.

  Dr. Goree developed the first on-line courses in music at Calhoun which included Music Appreciation.  She authored, developed, recorded and produced a video course, Basic Music Theory, and wrote a student workbook to accompany the video course.  Dr. Goree also wrote a text book, Elements of Music, which was translated into Spanish, published and distributed in Central America.  At Calhoun, Dr. Goree was the principal teacher of voice and also taught Basic Musicianship, Music Appreciation, Appreciation of Popular Music, Class Voice, Class Piano, directed the College Chorus and was Assistant Director of The Chorale.  She developed the Voice Lab which was the first such collegiate facility in Alabama.

  Dr. Goree taught Voice at the University of North Alabama for five years, revitalizing the program for the University.  She also assisted the Drama Department with productions of musicals serving as vocal coach and also as an actress and vocalist.  While teaching there she performed extensively and had the leading role in a premiere production of a musical, “Pub on the Pier”, written by a local composer.

  Acclaimed and highly praised by professional musicians, music critics and her colleagues, Dr. Goree was affectionately known as “The Lady With the Golden Voice.”  She was an unforgettable performer with a voice of extraordinary resplendence, velvet richness, resonance and exquisitely tempered intonation throughout an extensive range.  She performed literature from virtually any genre.  She performed concerts throughout the USA and Central America singing for universities, professional and civic groups, churches, schools, public events.  She has sung for governors and presidents.

  Dr. Goree founded Schools of Music in Guatemala.  She taught music and trained local musicians to teach in and administer the schools.  She performed numerous concerts and sang for professional groups, churches and schools.

  Dr. Goree received numerous awards in recognition of her musical accomplishments and contributions to music education.  She received the inaugural Carlton Kelley Teaching Excellence Award from Calhoun.  She was awarded the national NISOD Excellence in Teaching Award by the University of Texas at Austin. She was listed in many honorary venues including “Who’s Who Among Teachers”, Outstanding Young Women of America and The International Who’s Who In Music.

  In 2001, The State of Alabama House of Representatives honored Dr. Goree with a Resolution commending her on her outstanding contributions and achievements.

  On October 15, 2010, the city of Decatur presented her with a Certificate of Appreciation for her 41 years of service to her students, community, churches, schools and civic organizations and her representation of Decatur on the national and international level as a professional singer, author and concert artist.

  In addition to teaching at Calhoun, Dr. Goree also taught numerous summers for Birmingham Town and Gown Theatre.  She served as vocal coach, designed and taught workshops in music and vocal techniques for children.  Dr. Goree also performed in three musicals each summer with BTGT.

  Dr. Goree served as Minister of Music for numerous churches and taught music for Alabama Baptist Schools of Music.  Workshops included basic musicianship, voice, conducting, piano and hand bells.  She was the founder and conductor of the Chime Ensemble at Austinville United Methodist Church where she was a member.

  Dr. Goree dedicated her life to sharing her gifts and talents through teaching and performing.  She was an inspired and passionate teacher, always seeking to assist her students in becoming excellent singers and musicians.  She was an impeccable role model for all who had the opportunity to study with her.  Her students are following her example by serving as professional musicians, teachers, and singers in civic, church and professional ensembles.  Her legacy of excellence in music continues at Calhoun through the Dr. Joan A. Goree Scholarship.  This scholarship is supported by gifts to the Calhoun Foundation given in memory of Dr. Goree.

  Dr. Goree looked forward to being reunited in heaven with friends, relatives and her pets: Missy, Ginger, Ebony, Sweet Pea, Big Boy and Princess.  She is survived by a brother, Barry Goree (Bridget), a sister, Nancy Colee (Michael), three nieces and two great nephews, her caregiver, colleague, and closest friend, Dr. Frances P. Moss, two godchildren, Amber Danielle Sherman and Charles Micheal “Mikey” Sherman II.  She is also survived by a host of friends, her constant companion, Suhbreenuh and Pooh.

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