About Us

At the Horton School of Music we strive to inspire excellence in musical learning through individual lessons, involvement in ensembles, and focused and engaged work in the classroom.  We encourage you to cultivate your gifts in a way that people will see you as a leader worth following, both in your work on campus and in the community.  And we ask that you use your gifts and talents to serve the One who created them and entrusted them to you.

History

The Horton School of Music became endowed in 1997 by the family of the late Gregg Horton and consists of three Bachelor of Arts degree programs – Music Education either choral or instrumental, Music with emphasis in either church music or performance (vocal, keyboard or instrumental) and Music Therapy.  There are currently over 75 music majors within the Horton School of Music, and there are 12 full-time faculty members, 1 visiting professor of accompanying, 18 adjunct faculty, and 2 staff accompanists. The students of Charleston Southern may participate in 15 different instrumental and vocal ensembles.

Welcome Message

On behalf of the Horton School of Music at Charleston Southern University, I would like to welcome current and prospective students, our alumni, and friends to our new site.  We hope that you will
join us as we seek to perform our “utmost for His Highest”. 

The Horton School of Music prepares students for careers as professional musicians and educators and music therapists as well as serving as a center of musical art and culture for the Charleston region and beyond. The Horton School of Music also provides numerous courses and performance opportunities for non-music majors, as well as opportunities for members of the community to learn about music as a part of human culture and experience.

Over 75 students are enrolled as Music majors at Charleston Southern University. The Department provides a breadth of musical experience as well as individual attention for students in the studio,
in classes and in the many and varied ensembles, allowing students to reach their fullest potential. In recent years, our students have achieved recognition by performing in such venues as the performing trips abroad to over 7 countries; American Choral Directors Association Conventions in state and regional; SC Music Educators Association convention; winning state and regional National Association of Teachers of Singing competitions; presenting music therapy research at state, and regional professional conferences; and being awarded numerous teaching positions at schools
throughout the region. 

The faculty includes performing specialists on all instruments as well as piano and voice, and specialists in conducting, music education, music history and literature and music theory. Several music faculty members have had journal articles, books or monographs published by significant journals and music faculty have also issued commercially available CD's and delivered presentations and performances both on the national and international stage.

We invite you to visit our campus to learn more about the Horton School of Music. If I can assist you in any way, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Dr. Valerie K. Bullock
Chair, Horton School of Music

Mission and Goals

The Mission Statement

“Promoting Musical Excellence in a Christian Environment”

Goals 

(1) To provide a well-rounded musical education for all students ensuring that each has the opportunity to realize their full potential as individual music students regardless of whether they are majoring in music

(2) To successfully prepare students for entrance into the professions of music therapy, music education, church music and music performance including preparation for graduate school in these areas

(3) To develop the HSM as a cultural center in the greater Charleston area.

Facilities

The Horton School of Music facilities are housed in three buildings on campus, Lightsey Music building, Whittington Hall and the Lightsey Chapel Auditorium.

The Lightsey Music Building contains a rehearsal space/classroom, practice rooms, the music office, and faculty offices for the vocal, piano and music and worship leadership areas.

Whittington Hall, built in 1999, contains a large rehearsal space, a large classroom, a keyboard lab, instrument storage, practice rooms and faculty offices for the instrumental and music therapy areas.

Lightsey Chapel Auditorium is a 1500 hundred seat auditorium that serves as the HSM’s main performance venue. Each of the ensembles perform in the
Chapel at least once a semester. The University also uses
the Chapel for Chapel service as well as other sponsored events.

Contact us: Horton School of Music Office

Phone: (843) 863-7966
E-mail: music@csuniv.edu
Address:
Charleston Southern University
Horton School of Music
PO Box 118087
Charleston, SC  29423-8087