Dr. John H. Corina

Athens, GA - John Hubert Corina, 86, of Athens, GA, died Saturday, December 13, 2014, of complications from Alzheimer's disease.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, he was the son of Hubert and Mamie Corina. Hubert's birthplace was in Halifax, England, and Mamie's birthplace was in Hickory, NC.
John is survived by his wife of 54 years, Carol; son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Sandra Corina of Naples, FL; son, Donald Corina of Athens; daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Michael Mears of Charleston, SC; daughters and son, Mary Ellen Gurbacs, Gail Brant, and John L. Corina of Florida; granddaughter and grandson, Laura and Michael Johnson of Charleston, SC; granddaughters and grandson, Jordan, Sydney, and Brendan Corina of Naples, FL; brother and sister-in-law, Lawrence and Jacqueline Corina of Sunnyvale, CA; and other family members.
John was the consummate musician. As a boy, he studied piano and organ at his father's side. As a young oboist, John taught in the Cleveland Music Settlement and performed as a member of the Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra, becoming their president as a high school senior. He was a bandsman in the Army at Ft. Meade and West Point, returning to Lakewood and earning his bachelor's and master's degrees from Western Reserve University, then teaching in the Lakewood and Florida public schools.
After John received his Doctor of Music degree in composition from FSU, he taught composition, oboe, and theory at the University of Georgia and performed with the UGA Baroque Ensemble, and especially enjoyed performing with the Georgia Woodwind Quintet for 25 years. He established the New Music Center and the Electronic Music Studio at UGA, and in 1985, was awarded the University's teaching excellence Professorship. He has been Professor Emeritus of Music since his retirement in 1991.
As composer of over 130 works, John has received 14 awards from ASCAP and other organizations. As an oboist, he has performed throughout North America and Europe. He was an organist/choirmaster for 50 years, the later at Young Harris Mem. UMC and 24 years at Emmanuel Episcopal Church. He also conducted the University of Georgia Symphony Orchestra and the Athens Choral Society, among other choruses, orchestras, and bands.
John was a lifelong Lutheran and was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church. He cared deeply for his children. Many family trips were taken to the mountains, the Blue Ridge Parkway being a favorite. He was his children's first teacher for oboe and violin. In Athens, John was interested in giving young people the opportunity to pursue their interests, including the arts. He became the founding board chairman of the Athens Civic Ballet and founding director of the Classic City Band. In recognition of his interest in and service to the Athens community, he received the Clarke County Community Cultural Award in 1991.
John continued to sing with the Athens Choral Society and the UGA University Chorus in retirement. John often quoted his musical father: "Non Impedias Musicam" -- Let nothing stop the music!
The family extends sincere gratitude to St. Mary's Hospital and St. Mary's Highland Hills Memory Care Center; Athens Heritage rehab and long term care facility; and all doctors, nurses, and staff who have given John excellent care, comfort and support.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, December 20. Because of current interior construction at Holy Cross, the service will be held at Central Presbyterian Church, Athens. A reception will follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests with gratitude that memorial gifts may be made to the John H. Corina Music Scholarship fund. Contributions, made payable to the UGA Foundation Corina Music Scholarship, may be mailed to the Hugh Hodgson School of Music, Attn: Ms. Edith Hollander, The University of Georgia, 250 River Road, Athens, GA 30602 or online using the link http://bit.ly/1zoSEat.
Lord and Stephens, EAST is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com