Director of High School Orchestras
Sarah E. Fitzgerald
Ms. Fitzgerald currently teaches high school orchestra and music technology at the Charleston County School of the Arts. During her tenure at SOA, she has started the School of the Arts Symphony Orchestra, which is in its fifth year as a regular class during the school day, began the Tri-M Music Honor Society Chapter 3974, and organized the Senior Thesis Concerto Concerts. Under her direction, the SOA high school orchestra has been featured on SC Educational Radio Network’s Carolina Concerts and consistently earns Superior ratings at state and national festivals. SOA High School Orchestra students have been accepted into the National High School Honors Orchestra held at the ASTA Conference in 2010 and 2005. In 2008, the orchestra was invited to perform for the South Carolina Music Educator's Conference.
Ms. Fitzgerald received her Bachelor of Music degree from Appalachian State University in Music Education with a concentration on the viola. She holds a Masters of Technology in Education degree from Lesley University. She was principal chair violist of the Appalachian State University Symphony Orchestra from 1979-1983. She received the Honors Teaching Award from Appalachian State University for her student teaching in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools in 1983.
She taught string orchestra in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system from 1983-1986. In 1988 she accepted a general music position in Berkeley County, South Carolina where she was honored as Teacher of the Year in 1991. In 1995, she started the string orchestra program in Berkeley County.
Ms. Fitzgerald took a job in Charleston County in 1996 where she was an itinerate string teacher in grades 5 through 12. She has taught in the West Ashley schools and is now director of orchestras and music technology instructor at the Charleston County School of the Arts.
Ms. Fitzgerald was named one of 50 Directors who make a Difference by the School Band and Orchestra Magazine in December 2005. She was featured on the cover and in an article in January 2006, “Teaching the Real Thing.”
Ms. Fitzgerald has served as President (2005-2007) and Vice President(2007-2009) of the South Carolina Music Educator’s Association, Orchestra Division. She has served on the Orchestra Division Executive board since 1999 and is presently the Webmaster for the SCMEA Orchestra Division website www.scorchestra.net. Ms. Fitzgerald is a member of MENC, ASTA, SCMEA, and the Charleston Music Club.
Ms. Fitzgerald conducted the Symphony Orchestra at the Coastal Carolina Summer Music Institute in June 2007. She has been the conductor/clinician for the S.C. Western Region Honors Orchestra, Berkeley All-County Orchestra, Horry All-County Orchestra, Florence All-City Orchestra, Lexington Middle School Orchestra Festival, Beaufort All-City Orchestra Festival and the S.C. Midlands Region Orchestra. Ms. Fitzgerald was the conductor of the Charleston County Prep Orchestra from 1997-2003. Ms. Fitzgerald has also adjudicated Concert Festivals and music festivals in South Carolina.