April 14, 2020

Dr. Gail Barnes Wins SEC Faculty Achievement Award

By: SEC Staff
SECU (Twitter: @TheSECU)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Dr. Gail Barnes, Professor of Music Education in the School of Music, has been named winner of the 2020 SEC Faculty Achievement Award for the University of South Carolina, the SEC announced Tuesday, April 14.

A career educator and violist, Dr. Barnes teaches courses in stringed instrument methods, orchestra literature and sociology of music education. She has also conducted all-state orchestras and presented teaching clinics around the U.S. Dr. Barnes is co-author of Measures of Success for String Orchestra, a method book for young musicians, and she founded a forum for string and orchestra teachers on Facebook which has more than 9000 members. Before joining the faculty in Columbia, Dr. Barnes played professionally in the Virginia Symphony and Virginia Opera, and she continues to play viola with the South Carolina Philharmonic.

“Dr. Gail Barnes has served for more than 20 years as director of the nationally recognized USC String Project, which provides music instruction and community outreach opportunities while becoming a model for universities around the nation,” said Dr. Tayloe Harding, Interim Executive Vice President and Provost at the University of South Carolina. “She teaches and conducts elementary through adult-age musicians and remains an active researcher with interests in music education access for under-served youth. Dr. Barnes represents the finest in teaching at the undergraduate and graduate level of music education.”

To receive an SEC achievement award the faculty member must have achieved the rank of full professor; have a record of extraordinary teaching, particularly at the undergraduate level; and have a record of research that is recognized nationally and/or internationally. University winners will receive a $5,000 honorarium from the SEC and will become their campus nominee for the SEC Professor of the Year Award, which will be announced in late April.

Click here to learn more about Dr. Gail Barnes.