"Sewanee is such a great liberal arts college, and we felt like it needed to include a facility to accommodate student musicians."
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Carolyn and Bill Shiverick, P’23, describe their daughter, Gray, as a natural entertainer. “She was just like a little Snow White when she was younger—always in the backyard singing and making up songs,” Carolyn says. While building her vocal skills, Gray also learned to play the piano, flute, and guitar. During her four years at Episcopal High School, a boarding school near Washington, DC, she joined the choir and performed in musicals. “She’s a very creative young woman,” Carolyn says.
The Shivericks note that as Gray was exploring college options, she looked for a small, supportive liberal arts environment similar to her high school. Ultimately, she narrowed her choices down to the University of the South and Washington and Lee University. Though she was accepted at both schools, “she felt like her people were at Sewanee,” Carolyn says. Sewanee also offered Gray a prestigious music fellowship, which the University extends to about six students annually.
On campus Gray enjoyed a wide range of co-curricular activities, despite disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only did she participate in University Choir, a cappella, and Sewanee theatre, but she also joined Theta Pi and played multiple seasons on the women’s volleyball team. Still, the Shivericks noticed that one opportunity was missing. “Gray was deeply involved in creating music, and we asked her, ‘Where do you go to practice?’” Bill says. “There just seemed to be a gap.”
Gray’s high school had been equipped with a recording studio, and the Shivericks believed Sewanee could benefit from a similar space. “Sewanee is such a great liberal arts college, and we felt like it needed to include a facility to accommodate student musicians,” Bill says. As Carolyn explains, St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School had recently installed a small recording studio. “It’s very basic, but I feel like it was so needed,” she says, adding, “There’s so much organic music that happens on the Mountain, and many nationally recognized musical groups come from Sewanee. We saw there was no place for students to practice or hone their craft.”
Working with Robert Black, C’89, Associate Vice President of Athletics – Major Gifts, the Shivericks identified space in Guerry Hall that could be transformed into a recording facility. Thanks to the family’s generous gift, the University’s recording studio opened in February 2023. “We’re hopeful this new studio adds to the music world—and to Sewanee,” Bill says.
Black applauds the Shivericks for helping Sewanee build on a legacy of inspiring talented musicians. “We have so many amazing musical artists among our alumni, from Amanda Shires, L’17, to Radney Foster, C’81—and, of course, Boy Named Banjo has roots on the Mountain too,” he says. “It’s exciting to think about the future standout musicians who will get their start in Guerry Hall, thanks to Carolyn and Bill’s generosity.”
In the eight months since the studio’s launch, the space has already elevated the University’s music scene, according to Ian Atwater, C’23. Before graduating earlier this year, Atwater used the studio to record country/folk songs with Sewanee Dining staffer Jack Nance, also known as McClurg Jack. “Jack wanted his songs to be a community effort, so he invited students to contribute,” Atwater says, noting that the songs incorporated acoustic, bass, and electric guitars, plus banjo.
Atwater also joined Jojo Fogarty, C’23, in utilizing the studio to create an audio version of Nature’s Messenger, an exploration of the life and work of naturalist Mark Catesby written by Patrick Dean, T’06. “The studio is not only a place for current students to collaborate and leave their mark, but it’s also a place that can connect generations of Sewanee communities,” Atwater says.
Sewanee professor of music
Though Gray graduated in May, she has also been able to take advantage of the studio—not long ago, she released her debut EP, which features six technopop tracks recorded at Sewanee. Currently, she’s pursuing her music goals in Nashville while working at the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. “She’s writing music and performing in different places around town,” Bill says. While Nashville may have a distinctive country twang, it also has a vibrant independent music community of different genres, and Carolyn says she’s confident Gray can find her place in the industry. “I don’t think you can compare her to any other artist,” Carolyn says. “She has created such a wide variety of music—she’s very unique.”
