AfriClassical: Lowcountry Conservatory of Music Opens in Charleston/Georgetown Counties: Music Lessons and Enrichment Programs for Children and Adults

Friday, August 8, 2014

Lowcountry Conservatory of Music Opens in Charleston/Georgetown Counties: Music Lessons and Enrichment Programs for Children and Adults

Enrollment now accepting new students

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 8, 2014 Charleston SC — The Lowcountry Conservatory of Music, (LCM) a newly established nonprofit music education program serving Charleston and Georgetown SC counties by promoting excellence in music through high-caliber private music education and public performance, is pleased to announce its inaugural enrollment for Fall 2014.

Founding directors and Mount Pleasant residents Michael and Agnes Giuliani dreamed of the idea to start a nonprofit music conservatory, which will offer individual and small group instruction to early childhood, pre-college and adult students.

Now a reality, the Lowcountry Music Conservatory will offer applied lessons (private, semi-private and group) in a variety of disciplines including string, guitar, woodwinds, and brass as well as a robust academic program featuring casual community-oriented courses such as Note Reading, A Journey Through Music History, and The Art of Listening, comprehensive courses in Music Theory and Music History, and a College-Preparatory Certificate Program. LCM faculty is comprised of the area’s finest music educators, many of whom are active performing artists.

Students can take advantage of the Conservatory’s offerings at two Lowcountry locations: Eastbridge Presbyterian Church, 3058 North Highway 17 in Mount Pleasant and Old Winyah High School 1200 Highmarket Street, Georgetown, SC.

Enrollment is now open with informational meetings scheduled Saturday, August 23 from 10:30am-11:30am for interested students at the Georgetown location and Monday, August 25 from 7:00pm-8:00pm in Mount Pleasant. The Fall 2014 semester begins September 2, 2014. Students may enroll online at www.lowcountryconservatory.org or (843) 619-7054.

Artistic Director Michael Scott Giuliani said the Conservatory’s purpose is to serve the entire community, young and old, rich and poor, with the highest caliber of private music education. "We want to be a school dedicated to excellence and student success—an institution the Lowcountry thinks of when considering private music education." As such, need- and merit-based scholarships will be available. “Music education is not a luxury, though it’s often treated that way by the public school system.” An education in music and the arts is an education for life—building confidence through steady achievement, while developing focus and discipline, and enriching lives through the appreciation of artistic expression,” he added.

The Lowcountry Conservatory of Music is also offering several free performances throughout the year including the ongoing Summer Concert Series, Music at Noon, each Wednesday through August 27 in Georgetown. Schedule: www.lowcountryconservatory.org/upcomingevents.

About Founding Artistic Director Michael Scott Giuliani and Founding Dean Agnes Giuliani

Founding Artistic Director and President of the Lowcountry Conservatory of Music Michael Scott Giuliani also teaches piano and music theory. He serves as Director of Music at Christ Church Presbyterian in Charleston where he directs the choral and instrumental ensembles and oversees the Charleston Institute of Sacred Music, an entity dedicated to the promotion of Sacred Music. Previously, Michael has served churches in the Chicago area where he also studied piano at North Park University with Terree Shofner-Emrich.

An active and sought-after collaborative pianist and conductor, Giuliani's musical endeavors have taken him across the United States and Europe, having served as pianist and organist for Tim Zimmerman & The King's Brass, an internationally renowned sacred brass ensemble, pianist for the North Park University Choir, and associate conductor of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra Spiritual Ensemble.

Agnes Miriam Giuliani is the Founding Dean of the Lowcountry Conservatory of Music, where she also teaches violin. Her story begins as a 5-year old when, motivated by her family's love for classical music, she began to study violin. Progressing quickly, Agnes showed signs of mature musicality, passion, and a love for the instrument.

At 13, Agnes moved to Romania with her family and soon experienced a completely different approach to technique, as well as a better understanding of music history and theory. She studied intensely, performing and competing in festivals. She began teaching and found delight in sharing her passion with her own students.

Agnes earned a Bachelor’s of Music in Violin Performance from Belmont University with Elizabeth Small and became concertmaster of their Orchestra, an honor that had not been achieved by an undergraduate student in more than ten years. Agnes regularly plays with various regional orchestras including the North Charleston POPS! and the Florence Symphony Orchestra.

Advisory Council Members Include: