Dr. Gail V. Barnes: 2025 S.C. Arts Awards Spotlight Series
Governor’s Award: Individual Category
As the day nears for the 2025 South Carolina Arts Awards, The Hub is shining the spotlight on this year’s six recipients, introducing them to you in greater detail.
This is the schedule:
- Governor’s Award for the Arts
- Today: Dr. Gail V. Barnes (Individual Category)
- May 1: Koger Center for the Arts (Government Category)
- May 6: Wade Sellers (Artist Category)
- May 8: Engaging Creative Minds (Arts in Education Category)
- May 13: Sumter County Gallery of Art (Organization Categoy)
- Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Award
- May 15: Caroleen Sanders (Artist Category)
Dr. Gail V. Barnes
Dr. Gail V. Barnes
Dr. Gail Barnes is professor of music education and director of the USC String Project. She received her bachelor’s and master’s of music from the University of Michigan and her Ph.D. from The Ohio State University. Dr. Barnes teaches courses in stringed instrument methods and orchestra literature.
Dr. Barnes’s research interests revolve around community and school orchestra programs, with a particular focus on ensuring equitable access to music education for underserved youth. Her research has shed light on the positive impact of parental involvement and a supportive home environment on students’ musical development. Furthermore, she has shared her expertise and research findings at conferences across the United States and abroad, delivering insightful presentations in countries such as Australia, Italy, China, Greece, Scotland and Brazil.
She is a co-author of Measures of Success for String Orchestra (published by The FJH Music Company), a method book for young string players. She is the founder of a forum for string and orchestra teachers on Facebook that has over 11,000 members.
Dr. Barnes continues to work with student-aged musicians in her role as director of the USC String Project. In addition, she has conducted all-state orchestras in South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Michigan. She was the head adjudicator at the 2022 Victoria School Orchestra Festival (Melbourne, Australia).
She believes her greatest contribution to the state of South Carolina are the 150 teachers who have graduated from the program during her tenure.
The USC String Project in action
The USC String Project spring concert is 7 p.m. Monday, May 5 at the Koger Center for the Arts.
Watch the South Carolina Arts Awards Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 7 p.m. EDT.
The SCAC is excited to present a streaming presentation of the awards in 2025!
Viewers can access it via the SCAC YouTube Channel, and it will also be streamed through the SCAC Facebook page. Internet-connected smart TV’s or streaming devices with the YouTube app may be used for a more broadcast-style experience.