According to Shakespeare: “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” But, in the Internet age, finding your rose in a Google search might not be so easy if you called it say—a sweetheart. Sorry, Shakespeare. Names matter. Dr. Gary Hallquist, director of the music school at Colonial, discovered that, when he tried to see how easy it would be to find The Studio in a Google search. After some consideration, the decision was made to create a name that would make the purpose of the school clear to those outside the Colonial community. So, beginning August 1, The Studio will become Carolina School of Music!

In 2001, David Loftis, Pastor of Colonial’s Music Ministries, conceived of the idea of creating a school where musicians and vocalists could receive quality music training from caring Christian professionals. Pastor Loftis and Jackie Wilder, who continues to be a teacher at Carolina School of Music, launched The Studio. They assembled a core group of instructors and began offering private music lessons at an affordable price.

Carolina School of Music exists to raise up a generation of musicians who are “trained and skilled in music for the LORD.” (1 Chronicles 25:7, NIV) “We want to provide a distinctively Christian outlet for music education,” said Dr. Hallquist. “Carolina School of Music has instructors who realize that music is not an end in itself, but a means to glorify God.”

The eight instructors who make up the faculty of the Carolina School of Music bring extensive musical training and experience to their roles. They teach a variety of styles including, classical, pop, jazz, and traditional and contemporary Christian. Students are challenged to improve their technique in an encouraging environment which enables them to be active participants in any musical venue.

New to the music school this fall will be the addition of a High School Concert Choir, open to all high school students who are looking for ensemble experience and who may want the opportunity to audition for state honors choirs. Students participating in the choir will be able to earn academic credit, making it an especially attractive opportunity for home schooled students. A music theory class will also be offered for the first time this fall.

Mary Fuller, clarinet and woodwinds instructor, enjoys individual music instruction because it allows her the opportunity to work with students to help them achieve their best level of performance and she is able to share how music teaches life lessons. Watching students grow as musicians and individuals motivates the teaching of Mark Starlin, guitar teacher at Carolina School of Music. “From the beginning, I try to give students the whole picture of playing the guitar,” said Mark. “I like to get them doing songs as early as possible, so they’re making music right away.”

Daniel and Karen Cummins will provide voice instruction for vocal students at Carolina School of Music. Karen and Daniel met in college where they quickly realized their mutual love of music; they married in 2007 and have been Colonial favorites, singing often for morning services. Karen is especially passionate about training young singers to be prepared for the rigors of vocal education at the college level.

Carolina School of Music serves more than 100 students of all ages and ability levels. Most lessons are taught in the Children’s Center at Colonial; High School Choir and Music Theory will be taught in the choir room. This fall, strive for the exceptional; enroll your budding musician in the Carolina School of Music.