Calhoun Conservatory of Music Est. 1969

The Calhoun

A brief overview in 500 words

Since opening in September 1969 as The Calhoun School of Music, Calhoun has set this country's standard for education in music for students of all ages. Ronald G. Calhoun created a school that gave the fledging music programs in small rural areas in the U.S. its first school committed to teaching private lessons in all instruments and voice, to all ages, and with emphasis on fun and recreation for non-career students. The School began with one teacher and fifteen students, working together in a building upstairs above a bookstore with monies and support of concerned citizens. A fire destroyed the original facilities but represented a turning point when over one hundred and twenty-five students enrolled showing the publics desire for his teaching methods. In the early 1980's, requests for Calhoun’s services begin to come from a broad spectrum ranging from community, state, and national government leaders including the United States Armed Forces in Europe. In 1983, Brigadier General Robert P. McCoy commended the school for its excellent support of the AFLC Talent Contest and staging of the Continental Showcase. The philosophy of emphasis on a broadly based, vocationally oriented curriculum has remained unchanged since it's beginning. The goal of the school remains the same; to provide student, professional or recreational musicians the opportunity to get the best practical music education offered today.

The creation of The Calhoun's four schools of study is yet another way in which Calhoun embodies the finest in music education, growing with and responding to the needs of a thriving cultural community in the U.S. and abroad. Last fall, the school's program expanded adding The School of Church Music curriculum.

The Calhoun has educated over 10,000 students since 1969 and in 1976 students were also taught music by correspondence study that included Georgia, Texas, California, Canada, Kentucky, Spain, Guam, Missouri and Iowa. Through the years the staff has continued to work with leaders in community, state and national government arenas. In 1999, the Hinesville/Fort Stewart Campus was added and in 2004 the Savannah, Georgia Downtown Campus.

Calhoun's vitality increases as its 2005 anniversary approaches, with expanded curriculum, student and alumni services, outreach programs, and its long range planning to expand each school of study. Presently there are four school's of study; The School of Classical, Jazz and Broadway, The School of Private Music Education, The School of Music Education and The School of Church Music. The addition of the Evening Division, Summer Music Program for Children and musician services to churches who cannot afford a musician, are a few of the new music opportunities offered to parents and students of music. The success of Calhoun’s unique approach to music education is reflected in its recognized stature as one of the leading independent schools of music in the world, with correspondence students worldwide and thousands being taught of all ages and music preference. The school also specializes in private lessons in all instruments and voice, to all ages.

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