The Greater Augusta Arts Council selected Dr. Porter Stokes, professor emeritus of music, as the recipient of the annual Arts Professional Award. The council selected Stokes for his work as the artistic director and conductor of the Augusta Choral Society.

Stokes has served in these roles since 1999. During this time, the Augusta Choral Society performed major choral works from classic composers including Mozart, Brahms, Verdi, Vivaldi and others. The Augusta Choral Society has performed works from many living composers as well.

Over the years Stokes has included diverse members of the community in ACS concerts, including youth choirs from South Carolina and Georgia, dancers, Irish musicians, professional soloists, first responders, military, narrators, and more.

The Annual Arts Awards were established to recognize outstanding talent, exceptional initiative and leadership within Augusta’s vibrant arts community. Nominations were submitted by the public and finalists were chosen by a panel of local arts community leaders.

The Augusta Choral Society was founded in 1951 and is one of the longest continuous arts groups in Augusta.