Chamber Music Charleston marked big month with student residence, performance
Celebrating ‘Music in Our Schools’ Month
To celebrate Music in Our Schools Month, Chamber Music Charleston (CMC) shined a spotlight on their music education initiatives with a weeklong residency that culminated in a public performance featuring internationally acclaimed violinist Francisco Fullana alongside the next generation of rising musicians.
Francisco Fullana. Provided photo.
From March 18-20, Fullana led an intensive residency at the Charleston County School of the Arts, working closely with student string ensembles under the direction of Dr. Christopher Selby. The residency offers young musicians a rare opportunity to engage directly with a world-class artist through coaching, mentorship, and side-by-side collaboration.
March 20-22 was devoted to rehearsals and preparations for a special concert that was March 22, 2026 at Charleston’s historic Dock Street Theatre. A highlight of CMC’s 20th anniversary season, the concert was a powerful demonstration of the organization’s commitment to arts education and mentorship. High school musicians from the CMC TWO mentoring program performed alongside conservatory students and Fullana himself. Repertoire includes Franz Schubert’s Quartettsatz and “Death and the Maiden” String Quartet, culminating in the finale of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings.
“We are proud to celebrate ‘Music in Our Schools Month’ by highlighting the extraordinary young musicians in our community and beyond,” explained CMC Founder and Artistic Director Sandra Nikolajevs. “This concert represents the heart of our mission—not only presenting world-class performances, but actively investing in the future of music through education and mentorship.”
Participating artists included students from the Charleston County School of the Arts alongside emerging professionals studying at leading institutions such as The Juilliard School and the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings. These young musicians will share the stage in a collaborative performance that reflects both artistic excellence and the transformative power of mentorship.
The week was Fullana’s fifth educational residency with CMC. A recipient of the Avery Fisher Career Grant, he is widely recognized for his expressive artistry and dynamic stage presence, with performances spanning major venues across the United States and abroad.
CMC’s educational initiatives—including the CMC TWO program, in-school performances, and masterclasses—have reached more than 1,400 students this season alone, reinforcing the organization’s role as a leader in arts education throughout the Lowcountry.
This project is funded in part by the South Carolina Arts Commission which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts.