The USC brass studies area provides its students with excellent training and the necessary expertise for a successful career in music.
As a student of brass at USC, you’ll benefit from our faculty's experience in almost every aspect of music from education to performing with symphony orchestras and premier military bands, from research to composing, publishing and recording music.
Our graduates have gone on to notable achievements in all of the areas. Find out more about our degree offerings: Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, Doctor of Musical Arts.
Our varied performance opportunities include: Trumpet Ensemble, The Carolina Trombone Collective, brass quintets and other chamber music.
James Ackley is principal trumpet with the Augusta (Ga.) Symphony Orchestra and has performed in more than two dozen countries, including with the Moscow State Radio Symphony and the Bogota Philharmonic. He has recorded several solo CDs.
Ronald Davis is principal tubist with the South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra and coordinates USC’s brass teaching division. Davis joined USC’s faculty in 1985 and was a founding member of The Tubadours, the first professional tuba quartet to play at Disneyland.
Brad Edwards has been a featured trombone soloist with U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force bands. He has performed with Ray Charles and Dave Brubeck. His latest album “Trombone and …” features concert duets with a variety of other instruments.
Robert Pruzin is principal horn in the South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra and, for 10 years, was the artist-in-residence at the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts. His “Bring Mozart Alive!” exposes Carolina's schoolchildren to the the great composer’s works.