Lon Shull joined The King's Counterpoint at our first round of auditions back in October of 2014, and from that time never missed a concert, rehearsal, or choir gathering. From the start he was a key member of our ensemble, and he very swiftly became a very dear friend. We miss him enormously.

 

Lon's final concert with us was a fundraising event held at Holy Cross on Daniel Island, Sunday afternoon, May 22, 2016. He attended the first of our rehearsals for our July 2016 Wells Cathedral Choral Residency the following evening, after which we chatted about the music we were preparing and the excitement of the trip. Unfortunately, that was the last of our rehearsals he was able to attend: Lon was to have travelled to England with the choir on July 9, but sadly he left us the day before we were due to travel.

 

Following is Lon's published obituary: it tells a great deal about Lon and his life ... but no words can ever truly capture all this wonderful man gave to those around him, both musically and personally. Lon was incredibly dear to us - certainly as a member of KCP, but far more importantly as a cherished friend: we miss his wonderful baritone voice, his fabulous humor, our lively conversations, his infectious laugh, the countless dinners and drinks and even the late-night texting - in retrospect it seems we were constantly chatting and laughing about life and music. And Lon gave great hugs - we can't forget that, either. 

 

Lon was and will always remain one of our dearest friends. Requiescat in pace, good sir.

 

-  Judith & David Acres

 

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Lon H. Shull III, 57, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, died Friday, July 8, 2016.

 

Lonnie H. Shull III was born in New Orleans, son of Dr. Lonnie Shull, Jr. and Hazel Brickle Shull. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Lynn Horton Shull; his daughter, Margaret Elizabeth Shull; brothers Tim (Gloria) Shull and Andrew Shull; nephew JaredShull and nieces Hannah Shull and Lindsay Horton; mother in law Sandra (C.C.) Hill; father in law Bobby (Kay) Horton; brother in law Chris Horton; beloved cousins, aunts and uncles.

 

Lon was a 1984 graduate of the University of South Carolina’s School of Law. Certified by the State of South Carolina as an arbitrator and a mediator, he was a Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. He was the owner and principle ofShull Law Firm in Mount Pleasant. He also served as adjunct faculty member at The College of Charleston, Trident Technical College and the Charleston School of Law.

 

While Lon enjoyed teaching the law, protecting vulnerable people, and achieving justice for his clients, his real passion was music. In his work toward a 1981 BA at the University of South Carolina’s School of Music, he studied voice, choral performing, choral techniques and conducting under Arpad Darazs. He was privileged to conduct church and civic choirs in Columbia and in the Lowcountry. For fifteen years he was Music Director at Harborview Presbyterian Church; then served as Interim Choir Director at First (Scots) Presbyterian, and at First Baptist of Charleston. He was the Associate Conductor of the Charleston Singers' Guild (Charleston Symphony Chorus) and the Conductor of its Chamber choir, working with Dame Emily Remington.

 

Lon performed as the baritone soloist with the Charleston Symphony, the Charleston Symphony Chorus, and at many of the churches in the Lowcountry, and performed with the Charleston Renaissance Ensemble, Charleston Baroque Ensemble, Charleston Singer's Guild, The Charleston Symphony Chorus, and The Taylor Festival Chorus. Most recently, he was blessed to sing at Grace Church Cathedral and with The Charleston Symphony Gospel Chorus and its Spiritual ensemble. He thoroughly enjoyed singing Baritone in The King’s Counterpoint, and as Staff Baritone at The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.

 

While music lovers in Charleston will remember Lon’s skill as a conductor and powerful dynamic range as a singer, his friends will remember his sharp wit, gregarious nature and loyal devotion. His family dearly loves him and will miss him greatly. Special thanks to the MS-ICU Team at MUSC ART and to special friend, Elizabeth Luzuriaga for their loving care and support.