There are few people in Orange County who care more and work harder for the cultural enrichment of the community than Corona del Mar's Sharon McNalley.
The diminutive woman, with snow white hair and a velvety-soft speaking tone, belies the real strength of purpose that she exemplifies: the promotion of a musical organization known as the Hutchins Consort.
It is a matter of cultural as well as intellectual pride. And it is a family affair.
Sharon's son, Joe McNalley, leads the musical ensemble made up of eight acoustically matched violins. The consort takes its name from the late Carleen Hutchins, an internationally respected luthier. Some of Hutchins' octets are in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
Performing its inaugural concert in Orange County at the Irvine Barclay Theatre in the year 2000, Joe McNalley and his troupe have perfected their unique performance style for the past 12 years with concerts at local, national and international venues. They do so with the behind-the-scenes support of mother Sharon McNalley and a cadre of high-minded musical devotees who believe in the Consort and its highly creative and unusual style.
