• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Bishop Robert Barron
          • George Weigel
          • Question Corner
          • Effie Caldarola
          • John Garvey
          • Father Ed Dougherty, M.M.
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Suzanna Molino Singleton
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Paul McMullen
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Father T. Austin Murphy Jr.
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
  • Advertising
  • CR Radio
  • Printing
  • Subscribe

Divine connection: Baltimore School of Music follows lead of St. Ignatius parishioner

Mary K. Tilghman August 3, 2017
By Mary K. Tilghman
Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Urban Vicariate

While James Lowe’s beloved guitar sits untouched more than he’d like, he nonetheless shares his love of classical music as director of the Baltimore School of Music, where he oversees a faculty of 15 who teach some 250 students of every age.

“I always felt passionate about music education,” he said.

With training that includes the Peabody Conservatory, classical guitarist James Lowe founded the Baltimore School of Music. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

Lowe came to Baltimore 10 years ago to study with renowned guitarist Julian Gray at the Peabody Conservatory. He had earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Nebraska Omaha in guitar and religion, with a religion thesis focused on the theology of Olivier Messiaen, a French composer who used Catholic influences in his work.

Lowe said he feels a “divine connection,” both in his Catholicism and his music, adding, “I feel that inspiration all the time.”

He grew up playing and teaching rock guitar – until his Marine father studied classical guitar during a posting to Okinawa, Japan, far from his family in North Carolina. Lowe was inspired by his father’s videotaped performances.

“I fell in love,” he said. “I sold all my electric guitars.”

Lowe, 33, a parishioner of St. Ignatius Church in Baltimore, along with his wife, Elizabeth, a former staff writer for the Catholic Review, started planning his school while still a graduate student teaching guitar lessons.

In June 2012, the school’s first classes were held at Lee Street Memorial Church in Federal Hill. He found BSM’s current home at Second Presbyterian Church in Guilford during a workout in support of Back on My Feet, which promotes running among those facing homelessness and addiction.

“James and I were teammates on the Back on My Feet running team,” James Woods said of the philanthropy. “We happened to be on a run together going by Second Presbyterian Church, and I mentioned it was my church.”

“I looked at a million spaces,” Lowe said. “Nothing would have worked out as well as this.”

BSM occupies eight rooms and uses the chapel for piano lessons and recitals. Pastor Thomas Blair said the school has been a good fit.

“Our congregation considers music as one of God’s gifts to use and enjoy; we consider the music school to be part of our ministry to the larger community,” he said.

Don’t look for classes in rock or jazz at BSM. Everything is strictly classical – at least until this fall when Mini Maestros is introduced for toddlers, featuring singing and games. Other classes for younger children will include an introduction to musical instruments and classes in violin and guitar.

Lowe said Mini Maestros resulted from his study as part of Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Small Businesses program to assist small business leaders. He graduates Aug. 2.

Lowe strives to create a sense of community at BSM, which he describes as a a mission-driven, for-profit organization. “We try to collaborate and work together,” he said. “Our mission is more important than our profits.”

While the school thrives, it does keep Lowe away from his guitar.

“I had to put it on the back burner for a while as the school was growing so much,” he explained.

Two concerts in nearby Sherwood Gardens are set for this fall: Saturday, Sept. 16, at 10 a.m., and a concert with yoga Saturday, Oct. 14, at 10 a.m. Lowe will play guitar at both.

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

Mary K. Tilghman

Mary K. Tilghman

Mary Tilghman is a freelance contributor to the Catholic Review who previously served as managing editor, news editor and staff writer for the Review.

A parishioner of St. Ignatius in Baltimore, she and her husband have three adult children. Her first novel, “Divided Loyalties” (Black Rose Writing), a historical novel set in the aftermath of the Battle of Antietam, was published in 2017.

View all posts from this author

For the latest news delivered twice a week via email or text message, sign up to receive our free enewsletter.

Latest Local News

Archdiocese of Baltimore plans ‘Safe Haven Sunday’ to fight pornography

Pasadena parish cites pandemic in decision to close preschool

Father Snouffer, information technology trailblazer for archdiocese, dies at 83

‘Blessing bags’ a focal point for merged St. Casimir Parish during pandemic

Young Mother Lange honoree keeps busy helping others

Latest World News

Heroes of love: New pathway open for future saints

Bishops: If passed, Equality Act will ‘discriminate against people of faith

Cardinal prays on CNN program marking 500,000 COVID-19 deaths in U.S.

Not your grandfather’s — or father’s — Superman

Passionist priest, relative of English princes, takes step closer to sainthood

Catholic Review Radio

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Reason for celibacy/ Blessing for non-sacramental marriage?
  • Archdiocese of Baltimore plans ‘Safe Haven Sunday’ to fight pornography
  • Heroes of love: New pathway open for future saints
  • Some English Catholics object to transfer of nun’s remains to Philadelphia
  • Bishops: If passed, Equality Act will ‘discriminate against people of faith
  • Pandemic Stories (or why there’s a Nerf gun in the tub)
  • Cardinal prays on CNN program marking 500,000 COVID-19 deaths in U.S.
  • Pasadena parish cites pandemic in decision to close preschool
  • Father Snouffer, information technology trailblazer for archdiocese, dies at 83
  • Not your grandfather’s — or father’s — Superman

Search

Membership

Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2021 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED