2021 Honoree, Shirley Crabbe
2021 Honoree, Philip Hagemann
2021 Honoree, Hilton Pearl River
March 19, 2021
GARNERVILLE, NY - The Board of Directors of the Arts Council of Rockland (ACOR) announced today the honorees for the 2021 Arts Awards to be presented at ACOR’s Annual Gala which will be held virtually on Tuesday, June 15, 2021.
This year’s honorees include the Hilton Pearl River, award-winning jazz vocalist Shirley Crabbe, and Philip Hagemann, Conductor of the Rockland County Choral Society.
Hilton Pearl River is being honored this year. The family-owned and family-operated hotel is being recognized for its support of the local arts community, in particular, the hotel’s recent guest room renovations that feature and highlight the work of several artists from around the Hudson Valley. For over 30 years the hotel has delivered genuine and exceptional hospitality, for which the hotel has been ranked #1 in Overall Service of all Hiltons in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut for 9 of 10 years.
Jazz vocalist, voice over artist, and educator Shirley Crabbe has been hailed as possessing a voice that "must surely appeal to all who love good jazz singing." Her awards include the 2009 Rockland County Executive Performing Artist award. She is the 2008 Stanton Bronze Medalist for the American Traditions Vocal Competition at the Savannah International Music Festival. In 2011, Shirley released her debut recording HOME, featuring the legendary tenor saxophonist, Houston Person. Her latest project, BRIDGES, a top 50 album, earned her the "2019 New York Bistro Award for Outstanding Recording." Crabbe is also a veteran music teacher with over 30 years of experience as a choral conductor, NYSSMA adjudicator, and voice instructor at Rockland Conservatory of Music. She is a former executive board member for the Rockland County Jazz and Blues Society. For nine years, she served on the Arts Council of Rockland's Board of Directors, with the last three years as its Chairperson.
Philip Hagemann was Conductor for the Rockland County Choral Society for over 50 years. He has published over 75 choral compositions, one of which, written with Penny Leka Knapp, titled “Fruitcake” has sold several hundred thousand copies and was used on the TV show Nip/Tuck a couple of years ago. In addition to choral works, he has written 10 one-act operas, one full-length opera, and an adaptation of Debussy's “L'enfant Prodigue”. He is currently working with Pegasus Opera in London and will be conducting a third production with them at the historic Greenwich Theatre.
In addition to celebrating these honorees, Arts Awards will be given in 6 categories: Arts Educator, Arts Leadership, Visual Artist, Literary Artist, Performing Artist, and Ars Longa. The Arts Council of Rockland is proud to celebrate this year’s honorees and awardees and welcome all to attend the 2021 Virtual Arts Awards Gala on June 15, 2021. Come and support our local artists!
For more information about tickets, sponsorship, and award nominations click HERE.