But his top priority is to continue to build and promote a long list of impressive programs already in place.

"USC has a very fine school of music," said Rossi, who came to the University last August after serving as associate dean at Ithaca College in New York for 11 years. "One of the first things I want to do is continue to improve the quality that's already very high. The potential for accomplishing significant achievements is very great."

Rossi noted the school's exceptional faculty, outstanding student body, and the String Project, which is recognized nationally as a leader in string education. He also included the orchestra, band, and choir programs, and outstanding facilities as strengths of the school.

"There are many first-rate programs that are not well known regionally or nationally," Rossi said. Improving the visibility of the school is one of Rossi's top goals.

While Rossi wants the School of Music to develop a strong reputation throughout the southeast and the nation, he also wants the school to be well-rooted within its home community.

"One of the things I notice when I look at great schools of music is that they are treasured within their communities." Rossi said. "I want the university and the city of Columbia to become more aware of what's going on here, and I want the School of Music to support the arts activities of the city."

To make the school more visible to potential students, Rossi plans to begin an aggressive admissions initiative, possibly hiring an admissions coordinator to recruit the highest quality and most talented musicians from throughout South Carolina, the Southeast, and nationally.

Rossi, a classical saxophonist, will continue to build on the school's strengths including: "the high quality of performance of our ensembles, a superb orchestral program, outstanding graduate conducting degrees, and a very solid undergraduate curriculum.

Along with the music faculty, Rossi is also looking at the school's curriculum. They are currently reviewing proposals to strengthen the composition degrees, possibly developing a music technology/music recording degree, and establishing a summers-only master of music education degree.

Rossi would also like to add the "missing link to the University's already outstanding facilities," a mid-size concert hall that would seat about 600.

"When this arts center was conceived nearly 30 years, there were plans for a mid-size concert hall. I want very much to fulfill that plan," he said. "A mid-size concert hall would enable the University, the Koger Center, and the School of Music to fulfill their University and civic responsibilities. A mid size concert hall would also enable the School of Music to host virtually any regional, national, or international music conference.

"Hosting these conferences brings professional and student musicians onto our campus and gives national/international visibility and credibility to our programs."

Creating substantial undergraduate scholarships and graduate awards and establishingendowed chairs to attract the best professors are other priorities.

"I want to let people know the wonderful things that are going on here," Rossi said. "I really believe that the potential is here for this superb school to become a major school of music in this country."