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Southern Exposure New Music Series Celebrates Twentieth Anniversary

The week of March 20, 2022, is a big one for the School of Music’s Southern Exposure New Music Series

Founded just over twenty years ago by USC composition professor John Fitz Rogers, the Southern Exposure contemporary classical and world music series has become an integral part of the Columbia region’s music scene. Known for its free, lovingly curated, cutting-edge concerts that feature some of the most exciting ensembles in the field today, Southern Exposure has been credited with helping “seed the growth of Columbia’s alternative music scene” (Columbia Free Times).

Southern Exposure has been celebrating its twentieth anniversary during the 2021-22 school year, which has included performances by School of Music faculty and students, the Kronos Quartet and 26-voice local choir, the New York-based chamber ensembles Founders and The Westerlies. The season concludes later this month with two events: a fundraising celebration at Bourbon Restaurant on March 20 and a live concert featuring the legendary Bang on a Can All-Stars on March 24.

Patrons can help support new music by joining one another for the Southern Exposure 20th Anniversary Celebration at Bourbon on Sunday, March 20, from 6 to 8 p.m. There they can enjoy live music, great food and drink. Those who cannot attend the event can always donate to support the series!

Contemporary music fans are also encouraged to come to Johnson Performance Hall in the Moore School of Business for the season closer on Thursday, March 24, at 8 p.m. The Bang on a Can All-Stars plays today’s classical music with the intensity and drive of a rock band and precision and panache of one of the world’s great chamber ensembles. This sextet is comprised of some of the most sought-after performers in the world; members include Mark Stewart, Paul Simon’s lead guitarist and music director for many years. No reservations or tickets are required to attend this free concert.

For more information or to reserve your seats for the March 20 fundraising dinner, please click here.


Support Southern Exposure New Music Series

Founded in 2001 by USC associate professor of composition and composer John Fitz Rogers, the nonprofit series has grown steadily and attracts standing-room-only crowds from throughout South Carolina and neighboring states. Your support makes a difference. A gift of any amount helps us keep the Southern Exposure New Music Series FREE, affording anyone in our community the opportunity to attend. Give


Topics: Southern Exposure New Music Series, Bang on a Call All-Stars, Kronos Quarter, The Westerlies, Founders


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