School of Music

The School of Music transforms lives through excellence in music teaching, performance, creative activities, research and service.

The Power and Promise of Music

We prepare musicians for professional careers and leadership in music teaching, performance, composition, research and related fields, by offering more than 20 degree programs.

The School of Music enriches the musical life of the university and the Midlands by offering more than 300 concerts and recitals a year. Orchestras, choirs, opera, chamber ensembles and guest artist concerts — most are free to attend — take place in beautiful venues like the Koger Center for the Arts, the School of Music’s Recital Hall and Johnson Performance Hall in the Darla Moore School of Business.

The School also boasts one of America's most robust and inspiring community engagement programs, MUSIC FOR YOUR LIFE, where folks of all ages and from all neighborhoods can study and experience the beauty of music and music-making through accessible and affordable opportunities for music enrichment made available by School faculty, students, staff, alumni and friends including workshops, classes, camps, lessons, and clinics.

We believe music is an essential component of the human experience. Our mission is to prepare our students to be skilled music leaders to ensure that they advance the quality of life in their communities by helping to make others happier, healthier, more hopeful and more fulfilled through the power of music. We do this not only by advancing musical instruction at the highest level for students' professional preparation, but also by leveraging the actual daily work done by students and faculty in the teaching and learning of music to unlock music’s unlimited potential to improve lives throughout the Midlands and beyond.

School of Music News

School of Music Expands Commitment to Jazz Education with Dedicated Facility

The School of Music’s jazz program is getting a new home in a familiar place: Greene Street United Methodist Church.

The Mighty Sound of the Southeast Secures Donation of Semi-Truck for Band Transport

The Carolina Band is rolling into gameday in style, thanks to a transformational donation by Nilson Van and Storage of Columbia.

USC Selected as Co-recipient of 2023 MTNA Collegiate Chapter of the Year

The University of South Carolina School of Music's chapter of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) has been named co-recipient of the 2023 MTNA Collegiate Chapter of the Year.

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Upcoming Events

Carolina LifeSong Initiative Recital

Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022

Location: School of Music 206 Recital Hall

Cost: FREE

Congaree New Horizons Band Program Winter Spectacular

Monday, Dec. 12, 2022

Location: School of Music 206 Recital Hall

Cost: FREE

Koger Center Jazz - 3rd Annual Eve of the Eve Celebration

Friday, Dec. 23, 2022

Location: Koger Center for the Arts

Cost: General - $23 | UofSC - $18 | Students - $8 (box office only)

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Congaree New Horizons Band Winter Spectacular

Challenge the conventional. Create the exceptional. No Limits.