Music

At the Governor’s School, young musicians thrive in an environment that nurtures artistry and fosters technical precision. Our approach to music education is both modern and innovative, emphasizing a pre-professional training where students are guided by professional musicians who are passionate about mentoring young talent. Through individualized instruction, ensemble training, academic music courses, and inspiring performance opportunities, students explore the vast landscape of musical expression, from classical to contemporary, jazz to world music. 

Guided by seasoned professionals, our high school music program offers one-on-one instruction in brass, percussion, piano, strings, voice, and woodwinds. Each student embarks on a personalized journey, with private lessons, ensemble participation, and solo recitals. Our dedicated faculty deliver a comprehensive music curriculum where students are immersed in an inspiring artistic community, surrounded by peers eager to fully engage in their learning journey.

From Friday student recitals to master classes with acclaimed guest artists, the Governor’s Schools offers a stage for young musicians to showcase their talents and develop confidence. Whether performing with our Concertato String Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Cantus Chamber Choir, Sinfonia Chamber Orchestra, Governor’s School Choir, or Jazz Orchestra, each student hones their craft in a community that celebrates artistry and discovery. Students perform solo recitals and chamber recitals in Smith Recital Hall and large ensemble concerts in Sakas Theatre and at the Peace Center’s Gunter Theatre in downtown Greenville. 

Our high school music curriculum fosters lifelong growth through the study of music and prepares students for success as music majors in college. The first year focuses on creating a broad foundation in the theoretical, technical, and expressive aspects of music.  All students learn to read and analyze music through music theory courses. 
In the second and third years, students expand on the theoretical foundation established in the first year and study music from historical and cultural perspectives.

Topics courses are offered in composition, conducting, class piano, Alexander Technique, music technology, contemporary collaborations, jazz history, and world music. Senior students perform a senior recital in their final semester where they perform multiple solo pieces under the guidance of their applied teacher. All students at the Governor’s School rehearse and perform with faculty collaborative pianists.

The Elements of Music course broadens students’ approach to learning and experiencing music through studying storytelling, imaginative play, communication, groove, and audiation. Friday seminars bring the department together to explore topics like music careers, reducing performance anxiety, health and wellness for musicians, and other faculty and guest presentations. Individual lessons, large ensembles, and chamber ensembles are essential to the program, and instrumental students also receive vocal training through the Governor's School Choir.

Students who complete the curriculum with a C or higher, present a Senior Recital, and finish the Humanities curriculum receive the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities Scholar’s Diploma, in addition to the South Carolina High School Diploma.

As a brass student at the Governor’s School, you’ll be supported in your pursuit to reach new heights of musical expression and technical precision on your instrument. The brass studio is a supportive group of students who perform in large ensembles, brass chamber ensembles, and as soloists. 
    
Brass Classes

• Weekly private lessons with a faculty member who specializes in your instrument
• Weekly master classes on solo performance and audition techniques
• Weekly chamber music rehearsals and coachings with brass faculty members
• Performances as a member of the Wind Ensemble and Sinfonia Chamber Orchestra
• Guest artist master classes and technique seminars
• Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Combo 

    
What You’ll Learn
The brass studio is a close-knit, supportive group of students. The brass faculty share the responsibilities of teaching the various brass classes, so you will receive instruction and feedback from multiple professional brass musicians each week. All students are encouraged to deeply engage with their own musical progress and receive coachings in topics like performance practice, audition preparation, and ensemble leadership. 

Special Opportunities
Brass chamber ensembles perform before Greenville Symphony Orchestra concerts and for special events for the City of Greenville. 

Brass Studio Achievements

• Finalists and prize winners in the state, division, and national competitions hosted by the Music Teachers National Association
• Regular placements in SC All-State and All-Region bands and SC All-State Orchestra
• Winners of concerto competitions hosted by the Greenville County Youth Orchestra and Carolina Youth Symphony

In recent years, students from the brass studio have gone on to study at the Eastman School of Music, University of South Carolina, and Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University, where they have pursued degrees in music education, music performance, music instrument repair, jazz studies, and more. 

    
Faculty

•     Craig King, trumpet
•     Michael Taylor, euphonium and tuba
•     Steve Wilson, trombone
•     Anneka Zuehlke, horn
   

As a commercial music student at the Governor’s School, you’ll immerse yourself in the exciting possibilities of jazz, popular music, composition, arranging, and more. Commercial music students are interested in creating their own music, forming their own ensembles, and studying a variety of musical styles that will help them develop into creative young musicians. This studio is open to students with a specialization in any instrument (including guitar) and voice. 

Commercial Music Classes

• Weekly private lessons on your instrument 
• Weekly masterclasses and commercial music seminars
• Weekly combo rehearsals 
• Performances as a member of the Wind Ensemble, Sinfonia Chamber Orchestra, Concertato String Orchestra, or Cantus Chamber Choir
• Guest artist master classes and special topics seminars
• Jazz Orchestra and Combo 

What you’ll learn
At the Governor’s School, you’ll build the focus and discipline to rehearse and practice independently, while nurturing your individual musical passions. Commercial music students will gain experience performing in various venues, have access to our music technology lab for recording, composing, and music technology projects, and fully participate in our music curriculum. 

Commercial Music Achievements
In recent years, students from the music department have gone on to study at the Berklee College of Music, Belmont University, University of South Carolina, Furman University, and Vanderbilt University where they have pursued degrees in music business, music production, jazz performance, music composition, and more. 
 

 As a percussion student at the Governor’s School, you’ll   immerse yourself in the exciting possibilities of concert, world, and jazz percussion. Percussion students strengthen   foundational skills on multiple percussion instruments, styles,   and techniques. 

    
Percussion Classes

• Weekly private lessons 
• Weekly master classes and percussion seminars
• Weekly percussion ensemble rehearsals
• Performances as a member of the Wind Ensemble and Sinfonia Chamber Orchestra
• Guest artist master classes and special topics seminars
• Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Combo 

    
What You’ll Learn
Percussion students explore a wide variety of percussion instruments in an inspiring and challenging environment. At the Governor’s School, you’ll build the focus and discipline to rehearse and practice independently, while bringing your technique and musicianship to new heights. Our percussion instructor is trained in classical, drum set, world, and jazz percussion and provides instruction on a wide array of percussion specialties.

Special Opportunities
Percussion students have access to our percussion rehearsal and practice room that includes classical, world, and jazz percussion instruments. Percussionists perform twice per year in the percussion ensemble and have the opportunity to perform on Friday student recitals. Percussion students can elect to perform with the Jazz Orchestra and audition for our Jazz combo. 
    
Percussion Studio Achievements

• Regular placements in SC All-State and All-Region bands

In recent years, students from the percussion studio have gone on to study at the Berklee College of Music, University of South Carolina, Furman University, Winthrop University, and Vanderbilt University where they have pursued degrees in music education, music performance, music composition, music production, business, and more. 
    
Faculty - Troy Jones, percussion
 

As a piano student at the Governor’s School, you’ll develop your technical skills, explore diverse repertoire, learn music theory, enhance your performance skills, cultivate your musical expression, engage in collaborative playing, receive personalized instruction, and foster a lifelong love of music.
    

Piano Classes

• Weekly private lessons 
• Weekly masterclasses and piano seminars
• Weekly piano ensemble rehearsals
• Solo and small ensemble performances
• Guest artist master classes and special topics seminars

    
Piano Studio Achievements
In recent years, students from the piano studio have gone on to study at Berklee College of Music, Oberlin College, USC Honors College, and Converse University, where they have pursued degrees in music production, music performance, music composition, art history, biology, pre-med and more.

Faculty
  Amanda Montgomery, piano
 

As a string student at the Governor’s School, you’ll advance your skills and cultivate your artistry as a performer. Students will also develop into leaders who are prepared to make a profound impact in both the ever evolving world of music or another field.
    

Strings Classes

• Weekly private lessons with a faculty member who specializes in your instrument
• Weekly masterclasses on solo performance and techniques
• Weekly chamber music rehearsals and coachings with string faculty members
• Performances as a member of the Concertato String Orchestra and Sinfonia Chamber Orchestra
• Guest artist master classes and special topics seminars

    
What you’ll learn
String students at SCGSAH are immersed into the best of all worlds: solo, chamber, and orchestral.  Applied lessons will focus on your individual needs, helping to refine your technique and develop your unique musical voice. Chamber and ensemble work will further enhance your growth, allowing you to perform some of the finest music written for your instrument while collaborating within a group setting.
    
String Studio Achievements

• Finalists and prize winners in the state, division, and national competitions hosted by the Music Teachers National Association
• Winners of concerto competitions hosted by the Greenville County Youth Orchestra and Carolina Youth Symphony
• Full tuition scholarships to summer festivals throughout the US 

In recent years, students from the string studio have gone on to study at Berklee College of Music, Eastman School of Music, Conservatory of Music “Cesare Pollini” in Italy, Belmont College, Florida State University, USC Honors College, Converse University, and Furman University where they have pursued degrees in music education, music performance, music composition, music therapy, biology, pre-med and more.

Faculty
  Deirdre Hutton, violin
  Kathryn Dey, viola
  Seth Russell, cello
  Ian Bracchita, bass
 

As a voice student at the Governor’s School, you’ll dive deep into your chosen style(s) of singing. You’ll also be challenged to expand your knowledge and skill in other genres of music. 

Voice Classes
Join our voice program for an immersive experience that prepares you for a successful college application and audition. Your journey includes:

• One weekly private lesson with our voice instructor and one weekly private lesson with our vocal coach
• Weekly masterclasses on solo performance and audition techniques
• Opera and musical theater workshops
• Performances as a member of the Cantus Chamber Choir
• Movement for singers
• Seminars on diction, acting, and vocal literature

Voice Studio Achievements

• Finalists in the YoungArts competition in Classical, Pop Music and Music Theater
• National winners of NATS competition
• Consistent regional qualifiers in NATS
• SC All-State Choir
• Schmidt Competition

In recent years, students from the voice studio have gone on to study at Oberlin Conservatory, Berklee School of Music, Vanderbilt University, Baldwin Wallace, University of Miami, Loyola Marymount University, Boston Conservatory of Music, Belmont, UNCSA, USC, Furman, College of Charleston, Winthrop University, Coastal Carolina University, and Clemson University where they have pursued degrees in classical voice, musical theater, music education, and contemporary music. 

Faculty
  Landon Baumgard, vocal coach
  Thomas Dickinson, voice instructor
  Elliott Smith, Cantus Chamber Choir director
 

As a woodwind student at the Governor’s School, you’ll be challenged to achieve new heights of musical expression on your instrument and be continually inspired by peers and teachers. 

Woodwind Classes

• Weekly private lessons with a faculty member who specializes in your instrument
• Weekly masterclasses on solo performance and audition techniques
• Weekly woodwind seminars 
• Weekly chamber music rehearsals and coaching with woodwind faculty members
• Weekly reed making classes for oboe and bassoon students
• Performances as a member of the Wind Ensemble and Sinfonia Chamber Orchestra
• Guest artist master classes and special topics seminars
• Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Combo

What you’ll Learn
The woodwind studio emphasizes the importance of community and allows each student to grow at their own pace. In our educational environment, all students are encouraged to take an active role in their education and receive coaching in topics like audition preparation, reducing performance anxiety, and pursuing creative projects. 

Special Opportunities
Woodwind students have access to secondary woodwind instruments including piccolo, alto flute, bass flute, E-flat clarinet, bass clarinet, English horn, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone, and bari saxophone for performances in ensembles. Bassoon and oboe students have a dedicated reed room where they learn to make their own reeds. The woodwind studio participates in special field trip opportunities where students hear world-renowned woodwind soloists perform live. Each year we host a guest artist on each woodwind instrument to present masterclasses and special topics seminars for our students. 

Woodwind Studio Achievements

• Finalists and prize winners in the state, division, and national competitions hosted by the Music Teachers National Association
• Regular placements in SC All-State and All-Region bands and SC All-State Orchestra
• Winners of concerto competitions hosted by the Greenville County Youth Orchestra and Carolina Youth Symphony

In recent years, students from the woodwind studio have gone on to study at Northwestern University, University of Michigan, Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University, Eastman School of Music, USC Honors College, Winthrop University, Converse University, and Furman University where they have pursued degrees in music education, music performance, music composition, neuroscience, psychology and more. 

Faculty 
  Lauren Vaughn, flute
  Michelle Moeller, oboe
  Karen Hill, clarinet
  Nse Ekpo, saxophone
  Jake Fowler, bassoon