Bravo!
The University of South Carolina School of Music celebrates the service, scholarship, leadership and character of our outstanding student community each spring. Along with our colleagues from schools and departments across the entire university, the School of Music recognizes student excellence during USC's Annual Awards Day ceremony.
This year five awards were bestowed to School of Music students during USC Awards Day on the historic Horseshoe:
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Arthur M. Fraser AwardEvan FarrBachelor of Music The Arthur M. Fraser Award is presented to the most outstanding graduating senior in the Bachelor of Arts in Music or the Bachelor of Music programs with emphasis in performance, theory or composition. The award is given in memory of Dr. Arthur Fraser, chair of the department of music from 1963-1972, whose numerous contributions to music in our state included the founding of the South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra. |
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Robert Van Doren AwardAJ JohnstonBachelor of Music The Robert Van Doren Award is presented to the most outstanding graduating senior in the Bachelor of Music program with emphasis in music education. The award is given in honor of Dr. Van Doren, who served as professor of organ and coordinator of music education at USC from 1946–1978. |
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Robert Pruzin Music Leadership AwardMeghan CluskeyBachelor of Arts in Music and Broadcast Journalism, Sports Media The Robert Pruzin Music Leadership Award is given to the senior in the Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Arts programs who has demonstrated the most outstanding leadership skills in service, teaching, academic studies and/or music performance. The award is given in memory of Robert Pruzin, professor of horn from 1978-2013, and associate dean, director of undergraduate studies from 2003–2013. |
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Cantey Award for ExcellenceAnna KlausliBachelor of Music The Cantey Award for Excellence is presented to a rising senior music major who best exemplifies excellence in scholarship (as measured by grade point average), musicianship (as measured by significant contributions to USC music ensembles and performances) and service (as measured by participation in school, university, or civic organizations). |
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Presser Scholar AwardJulia Pedroso JacobsenBachelor of Music The Presser Scholar Award is given by the Presser Foundation to recognize an outstanding music major at the end of his or her junior year. It is a prestigious award that recognizes not only the excellence of the student recipient but the music unit as well, since relatively few music schools across the nation are authorized to present the award. |
School of Music Spring Awards Recipients
The following awards were awarded at the School of Music annual Spring Awards Day Ceremony held on Friday, April 21, 2023, in the Recital Hall.
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Sigma Alpha Iota Scholastic AwardSavannah MellichampBachelor of Music This award is given to the graduating senior SAI member with the highest grade-point average. Sigma Alpha Iota Honor AwardSavannah also received the Sigma Alpha Iota Honor Award. This award is given to the member who has made significant contributions to her chapter and the School of Music. This recognizes a SAI member who has demonstrated outstanding musicianship, scholarship and service to the local chapter. |
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LeDare Robinson Undergraduate Award for Academic ExcellenceAbigail Greer ArcomonaBachelor of Music The LeDare Robinson Undergraduate Award for Academic Excellence is awarded to one undergraduate music major who demonstrates outstanding ability in the area of music history and/or theory. This award is given to the student who demonstrates great interest in the personal, political, and cultural history in which music exists and also an interest in understanding the personal languages of music expression. This student will have the ability to synthesize this knowledge into intelligent, informed class work, research projects and/or performances. |
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LeDare Robinson Graduate Award for Academic ExcellenceKevin CroweDoctor of Musical Arts, Choral Conducting The LeDare Robinson Graduate Award for Academic Excellence is awarded to one graduate music major who demonstrates outstanding ability in the area of music history and/or theory. This award is given to the student who demonstrates great interest in the personal, political, and cultural history in which music exists and also an interest in understanding the personal languages of music expression. This student will have the ability to synthesize this knowledge into intelligent, informed classwork, research projects and/or performances. |
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John and Lucrecia Herr Award for CompositionGarrett FullerMaster of Music, Composition The John Herr Award is awarded to an outstanding composition student for best achievement in writing original music. |
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Cello Fund AwardJordan BartowDoctor of Musical Arts, Performance Tristan GroscostBachelor of Music with emphasis in a Concentration in Music Education The Cello Fund Award was created by former students and "friends" of the USC cello program, honoring Robert Jesselson's 39 years of cello instruction. The fund is used to assist USC cello students in furthering their studies. The selection is made annually by the cello professor and the dean, based on the student's creativity, progress, initiative and/or for a specific project. |
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School of Music Social Justice AwardKevin CroweDoctor of Musical Arts, Choral Conducting Na Ri KuBachelor of Music The School of Music Social Justice Award was established in 2020 by the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee to recognize students who serve as an example to others through a commitment to diversity and social justice beyond the scope of their student responsibilities. Determination of the award will be based on contributions to the music community in the areas of diversity, interculturalism, and social justice. Contributions can include, but are not limited to, community engagement in diversity and equity dialogue, education, and programming; implemented projects and initiatives that foster diversity, inclusive access, and social justice; and examined and/or modified current practices and policies impacting the School of Music or University of South Carolina. |
Special Student Recognition
Performance Certificate Candidates
The performance certificate is awarded by the School of Music to recognize those undergraduate music students with degree emphases other than music performance as well as musically talented students who major in other disciplines. The performance certificate allowed gifted and highly motivated students to acquire additional credit, professorial interaction, and guidance.
Students with an asterisk will be graduating in May 2023 with Distinction in Music Performance.
Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Instrument: violin
Applied Faculty Member: Bill Terwilliger
Bachelor of Arts, Music and Broadcast Journalism, Sports Media
Music Industry Studies Minor
Instrument: voice
Applied Faculty Member: Janet Hopkins
Bachelor of Music, Music Education
Instrument: trumpet
Applied Faculty Member: David Allison
Bachelor of Music, Music Education
Instrument: cello
Applied Faculty Member: Claire Bryant
Bachelor of Music, Music Education
Instrument: voice
Applied Faculty Member: Janet Hopkins
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Management/Entrepreneurship
Additional Major: Finance, Business Analytics
Instrument: violin
Applied Faculty Member: Ari Streisfeld
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Real Estate
Instrument: voice
Applied Faculty Member: Tom Brunson
Bachelor of Music, Music Education
Instrument: saxophone
Applied Faculty Member: Cliff Leaman
Bachelor of Arts in Music
Instrument: viola
Applied Faculty Member: Dan Sweaney
Bachelor of Arts, Music
Instrument: cello
Applied Faculty Member: Claire Bryant
Bachelor of Arts, Music
Instrument: voice
Applied Faculty Member: Rachel Calloway
Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Instrument: cello
Applied Faculty Member: Claire Bryant
Bachelor of Music, Music Education
Instrument: french horn
Applied Faculty Member: JD Shaw
Bachelor of Music, Performance (piano)
Instrument: voice
Applied Faculty Member: Janet Hopkins
Bachelor of Arts, Music
Instrument: voice
Applied Faculty Member: Jacob Will
Bachelor of Arts, Music
Concentration Interest: Medicine
Chemistry Minor
Instrument: percussion
Applied Faculty Member: Scott Herring
Pi Kappa Lambda
Pi Kappa Lambda is an American honor society for undergraduate students, graduate students, and professors of music. There are over 200 chapters nationally; a complete roster of current chapters is listed in the organization's official web site. Congratulations to these students:
Master of Music, Opera Theatre /Graduating May 2023
Bachelor of Science, Music Industry Studies / Graduating May 2023
Doctor of Musical Arts, Music Performance
Doctor of Musical Arts, Piano Pedagogy / Graduating May 2023
Master of Music, Violin/Viola Pedagogy / Graduating May 2023
Doctor of Musical Arts, Music Performance
International Travel Grant Recipients
The School of Music awards International Travel grants each year to undergraduate and graduate music students to use for summer international travel. Congratulations to these recipients:
Spark Community Impact Grant Recipients
Spark Community Impact Projects for Students and Community Impact Grants for Faculty and Staff encourage collaboration and innovation through music leadership, and emphasize, support, and encourage projects, events, or activities rooted in community service or community engagement to one or more of the following: School of Music community, USC Campus community, Columbia local community, South Carolina/Southeastern community, National/world community.
Bachelor of Music; Concentration: Performance - Entrepreneurship
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Marketing – Business Analytics
Project: Arrangements for Equality
Master of Music, Performance
Project: Melodic Mindsets
Spark Mini-Grant Recipients
The Spark Mini-Grants are designed to enable full-time faculty, staff and students to request funds for Spark-related goals within the School of Music. Projects and requests should fall in line with the Spark mission to prepare students for vibrant and sustainable futures through creative learning, skill development, and personal exploration.
Spark Summer Study Recipients
The Spark Summer Study Grants support music students for summer study at music festivals, young artist programs, training programs, etc.
The Lullaby Project
USC's Spring 2023 Lullaby Project was led by Danny Jenkins and his Public Music Theory class in partnership with Toby's Place, a shelter for women. Those four new lullabies will be recorded on April 27th. In addition, our Lullaby Project will be featured in an international conference in early June at Carnegie Hall.
USC School of Music's Lullaby Project, of which we are a national partner with Carnegie Hall, was recently featured on NPR's "All Things Considered." The segment featured the first installment of the Lullaby Project from Fall 2022, in partnership with incarcerated women from Camille Graham Correctional Facility. Three gorgeous, new lullabies were written by teams of students and faculty alongside each participant, then recorded in our recital hall. The result from 2022 are three stunning new songs (click here to listen).
Magellan Scholars
The Magellan Scholar program was established in 2005 to enrich the academic experience of USC's undergraduates with research opportunities in all disciplines from science, technology, and medicine, to theatre, music, and art. Through the faculty mentoring relationship and professional research experience, students creatively explore their interests at a more in-depth level than can attained in the classroom. Research gives students a competitive edge in the job market and when applying for graduate or professional schools. More than $2 Million has been awarded directly to over USC undergraduates to undertake a vast array of mentored research experiences!
Honors, Graduating Spring 2023
Biological Sciences, Music Industry Studies Minor
Magellan Scholar, Summer-Fall 2022
Influence of Fish Predation and Light Availability on Eye Size in Natural Populations
of Daphnia
Mentor: Jeff Dudycha, Biological Sciences
Honors, Graduated Spring 2022
Psychology, Music Minor
Magellan Scholar, Spring 2022
There’s an App for That: Examining the Role of Social Media and Smartphone Technology
in Supporting Youth Mental Health
Mentor: Nicole Zarrett, Psychology