Alumni
Awards
Briarcrest Christian School Fine Arts Hall of Fame
The Briarcrest Christian School Fine Arts Hall of Fame was established in 2011 to honor alumni who have excelled and obtained significant success in their chosen field of Fine Arts or Fine Arts Education and former faculty who have made significant contributions to the Fine Arts of Briarcrest. Additionally, a service award was established to honor those who have made significant contributions to the Briarcrest Fine Arts department.
The Briarcrest Christian School Fine Arts Hall of Fame was established in 2011 to honor alumni who have excelled and obtained significant success in their chosen field of Fine Arts or Fine Arts Education and former faculty who have made significant contributions to the Fine Arts of Briarcrest. Additionally, a service award was established to honor those who have made significant contributions to the Briarcrest Fine Arts department.
Criteria
Candidates for induction into the Briarcrest Christian School Fine Arts Hall of Fame will be considered based on their significant achievements in the Arts, professionalism within the Arts and in its perpetuation, personal character and their mirroring of the mission of Briarcrest Christian School.
Candidates must be alumni of Briarcrest Christian School, former faculty or persons who have made significant contribution to the Fine Arts at Briarcrest. Alumni nominees must have graduated ten years prior to induction.
Candidates must be alumni of Briarcrest Christian School, former faculty or persons who have made significant contribution to the Fine Arts at Briarcrest. Alumni nominees must have graduated ten years prior to induction.
Award Recipients
List of 14 items.
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2021 Recipient
Laura Patton Long has always loved music. From learning classical piano by ear in early years to high school, studying with University of Memphis professor Joan Gilbert, to joining band in junior high, music was calling. Laura took up trombone thanks to Terry McNatt and the Briarcrest Marching and Concert Bands, attaining first chair in Tennessee All-State and district bands, ultimately being selected for the McDonald’s All-American High School Band made up of two representatives from each state. She joined students from all over the U.S. to experience New York, Chicago, Phoenix and Los Angeles and march in four parades, including Macy’s Thanksgiving Day and the Rose Bowl.Read More -
2021 Recipient
Mark Lewis started his career at Briarcrest in the Spring of 1988 as a long-term sub for the Assistant Band Director who was on maternity leave. He was then hired as the Briarcrest Director of Bands in the Fall of 1988, a position he held until 2000. His teaching responsibilities included an award-winning marching band and concert band, jazz band, and beginning and intermediate bands. He also directed the orchestra for most of the school musicals. During this time, he consistently had students in the All-West TN bands, the All State Band, Memphis Youth Symphony, and other college honor bands.Read More -
2020 Recipient
Read MoreDr. Brian Green’s tenor voice has been described as “a voice that comes along once in a teacher’s career … gifted, pure and simple.” The Briarcrest Fine Arts Hall of Fame selection committee is pleased to recognize Dr. Brian A. Green as a 2020 Hall of Fame inductee. -
2020 Recipient
Dr. Clair E. and Mrs. Clarice W. Cox have supported Briarcrest Christian School for more than three decades with annual fund, special project and capital campaign investments. The Cox family’s impact on Briarcrest is vast.Read More -
2019 Recipient
After graduating from Briarcrest in 1978, Amy graduated from The University of Memphis. With a drive to pursue artisan level craftsmanship in her work, Amy later moved to Italy to apprentice with expert furniture finishers. Upon her return, the Amy Howard Collection was born.Read More -
2019 Recipient
Joe Murphy’s love and legacy of performance was ignited as a member of the Briarcrest Marching, Symphonic and Jazz Bands under the direction of Terry McNatt and Ron Turner, and a member of the Concert Choir under the direction of Steven May.Read More -
2018 Recipient
Read MoreA 1982 Briarcrest graduate, wildlife artist and writer Charles Alexander has researched his paintings and stories across the globe, from the plains of the Serengeti to the swamps of the Mississippi bottomlands much closer to home. -
2017 Recipient
Emily Ozier graduated from Briarcrest in 1998. She is an artist in every sense of the word. Her artwork can be found in private and public collections throughout the United States and her collections are shown in galleries in London, England as well.Read More -
2016 Recipient
Read MoreJana Sowards West '81 was most passionate about the Fine Arts program while attending school at Briarcrest Christian School. She also sang in the Concert Choir. -
2015 Recipient
Mrs. Paula Ward Hedgepeth '84: The Briarcrest Alumni Association inducted one new member into the Fine Arts Hall of Fame during the 7th annual Briarcrest POPS concert on May 2, 2015.Read More -
2014 Recipient
Read MoreJonathan Chu ‘99 started his musical career at the age of three, and has spent his life bringing the joy of beautiful music to millions. -
2014 Recipient
Jerry Goin ‘80 began promoting bands his senior year in high school and got his first real break in the music business when he was hired as Radio and Promotions Director at Voice Box Records in 1980.Read More -
2013 Recipient
Mr. Ron Turner served as the Briarcrest High School Jazz band director and assisted with the High School Marching Band from 1980 – 1987.Read More -
2013 Recipient
Mr. Craig Thompson '79. While at Briarcrest he designed the cover of Desiderata magazine and designed the 1979 High School annual.Read More
