Musical Hearts

Greenville, South Carolina, natives Herb and Betty Curry met at Saint Paul Methodist Church when both were members of the church's youth fellowship group. They attended Furman University and married while Herb was pursuing a graduate degree at the University of South Carolina. Herb's job as a chemist with General Electric brought the couple to Mt. Vernon thirty-five years ago.

Throughout their courtship and marriage, the Currys have shared a love of music and theater. "Betty was a soprano soloist in musicals and school and church choirs. Wherever we lived, we sang in choirs and other choral groups," says Herb. "We enjoyed going to movies, professional concerts, and amateur theater. We both had roles in a local production of the musical Anything Goes in Hendersonville, North Carolina."

The Currys remain involved in local music and the theatre interests. They are supporters of the New Harmony Theater (where Herb has performed in three plays), Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus, Evansville Civic Theater, and productions at Mt. Vernon High School, from which their daughters, Susan and Leigh Anne, graduated.

This year, the Currys took their passion for the arts a step further when they established the Herb and Betty Curry Scholarship Fund with the Posey County Community Foundation. "In 2005, I was asked to serve on the Foundation's scholarship committee. I saw firsthand the dedication the volunteers, board members, and staff put into their jobs in helping students to continue their education," says Herb. "Betty and I agreed that this would be the way we could give back to Posey County."

The Curry Scholarship is available to Posey County high school students pursuing advanced education in music, music education, or the performing arts. "We're pleased to share our love of the arts with others," they say, "and we are fortunate to be able to help our community in this way."