District Five educator named President-Elect of South Carolina Music Educators Association

A Lexington-Richland School District Five veteran educator has been named the President-Elect of the South Carolina Music Educators Association (SCMEA).

Colleen Marcou is the orchestra director at Irmo High School International School for the Arts and the district orchestra coordinator, with a 24 year career in School District Five. She will assume the duties of SCMEA President-Elect on July 1, 2021, and assume the SCMEA Presidency on July 1, 2023.

“Having music as a part of my life every day is one of the coolest things about my job,” Marcou said. “Teaching and supporting music education for all of my current and future students allows me to provide these opportunities for our future generations. Music is a universal language and I love being able to talk to the world.”

Marcou has been an educator for 28 years. She graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with bachelor’s degrees in music education and cello performance and has completed several hours of graduate work in the Music Theory program at the University of South Carolina. She holds master’s degrees in both Teacher Leadership and in Administration and Supervision from the University of Phoenix. Marcou is a past President of the SCMEA Orchestra Division and currently serves as the All-State Orchestra chairperson as well as the webmaster for the Orchestra Division.

“The SCMEA will continue to flourish under Colleen Marcou’s leadership,” said Irmo High School Principal Dr. Robin Hardy. “We are extremely proud and grateful for all she gives to the arts. Her passion and leadership are to be commended.”

The South Carolina Music Educators Association is a federated state association of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). Their mission is to support and promote quality music education in South Carolina schools and communities.