Classical Guitar
The classical guitar program at the College of Charleston under the direction of Grammy nominated guitarist Marc Regnier has distinguished itself as a major Southeastern hub for classical guitar excellence.
In 1999 and 2012, the college hosted the Guitar Foundation of America Convention and International Competition welcoming to Charleston some of the world’s best performers, scholars and future performers. Through out the years, College of Charleston students and students from neighboring universities have had the opportunity to study with and hear performers and scholars such as Christopher Parkening, the Assad Duo, Eduardo Fernandez, Manuel Barrueco, Aaron Shearer, John Duarte, Lorenzo Micheli, Paulo Bellinati, Miguel Rodriguez, Adam Del Monte, Timothy Walker, Denis Azabagic, Frank Koonce, Nikita Koshkin, Chen-Piao Guitar Quartet, Eleftheria Kotzia and Dale Kavanagh.
College of Charleston students are successful competitors having been named winners and finalists in major international, national and regional competitions including the Guitar Foundation of America International Guitar Competition, MTNA Collegiate Artist Competition (two national 1st prize winners), Schadt Strings Competition (1st prize), “Hubert Kappel” International Competition in Germany, Appalachian Guitar-Fest Competition, St. Joseph International Guitar Competition, Texas guitar Competition and the National Guitar Workshop Competition.
Our students have distinguished themselves by winning academic grants and awards and have continued their education with institutions such as Yale University, Peabody Conservatory, San Francisco Conservatory, Wisconsin Conservatory and Carnegie Mellon. In addition, they perform locally, nationally and internationally including soloing with the Buffalo Symphony, Virginia Symphony, Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra and Sodre Montivideo Radio Symphony.
We offer a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music (performance) and the Artist Certificate.
Courses Offered
- Applied Classical Guitar
- Repertory Class
- Ensemble
- Performance
Student Opportunities
- Students receive conservatory level training within a liberal arts setting.
- Rigorous study in technique, interpretation and performance in one of the most beautiful cities in America.
- Students have many performance opportunities including performing in Piccolo Spoleto Festival.
- Our students have opportunities to work and collaborate with a stellar faculty, all of who are actively performing, publishing and recording internationally.
- Students may take advantage of the colleges numerous concert series such as Magnetic South, International Piano Series, Charleston Music Fest, CofC Ensembles and 2nd Monday Series.
- The City of Charleston hosts many festivals through out the year including the internationally acclaimed Spoleto Festival. The Charleston Symphony regularly invites world-class artists as soloists.
- We accept students who would like to double-major.