The Musicians
Charlotte Mabrey (Percussion)
Member of the JSO: Since 1977
Education: Bachelor of Music and Master of Music from University of Illinois
Musical training: Began playing snare drum in the fifth grade. “My parents were not thrilled, as I loved to practice in the early mornings.”
Why percussion: “I saw a guy playing drum set on a tune called “Java.” I was so gassed that I knew I wanted to do that. Of course, now I play set almost never, but I am addicted to java.”
Other ensembles: Charlotte has performed with many ensembles, including the Caribbean Sound Steel Band, the Savannah Symphony, the Jacksonville Opera Company and the Champaign-Urbana Symphony.
Solo appearance: Having served as Jacksonville Symphony principal percussionist for nearly three decades, Charlotte has often been featured with the Orchestra. Recent performances include Ney Rosauro’s Concerto for Marimba and String Orchestra, John Mackey's Percussion Concerto, and co-creating a program with fellow JSO percussionists Kevin Garry and Barry Olsavsky in the Family Series concert “Perfectly Percussion.” Charlotte and the UNF Percussion Ensemble also appeared on the JSO Family Series. Solo appearances also take place at UNF. Her annual concert “An Evening of 20th Century Music” ran for 25 years at UNF, which featured marimba solos, duets with area artists and original performance art.
Accomplishments: At the University of North Florida, Charlotte is a full professor of music as well as conductor of the Percussion Ensemble. In 2001 she was chosen as the outstanding professor at UNF. And in 2003 she was awarded the Students Choice award for outstanding faculty. She's also trying her hand at new activities that include drum set, conga and more collaborative works. She hopes to find others to work with film and music.
It doesn’t matter if you are listening to her lecture or watching her perform - Charlotte’s enthusiasm for music is infectious.
Favorite memory of the Orchestra: “One particular moment was a performance of Pictures at an Exhibition. As I looked down the row of percussionists, I was overwhelmed at the quality of playing going on around me, done by players that were either former students and/or great friends. I thought I was halfway to heaven from the perfect closeness I was feeling at the moment.”
Favorite composer: Brahms
Escape: Riding roller coasters with JSO clarinetist Peter Wright, kayaking, bike riding and movies