University of South Carolina Awards Day
The following awards were bestowed on the historic Horseshoe at the USC Awards Day Ceremony on April 18, 2024:
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Arthur M. Fraser AwardAnna KlausliBachelor of Music, Performance 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 AwardChristina BrownBachelor of Music, Music Education 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 AwardKeri McCourtBachelor of Music, Music Education The Robert Pruzin Music Leadership Award is given to a senior music major 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 ExcellenceAaron NealyBachelor of Music, Performance 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 AwardKarishma TandonBachelor of Music, Music Education Theodore Presser, the founder of The Presser Foundation, had a passion for music education. The music publisher began his career as a music educator. When he created the Foundation, he committee it to “music education and music philanthropy.” The Presser Foundation has long supported music majors at institutions of higher education. While the Scholar Awards program has evolved over the years, its focus of serving students has not changed. With that focus in mind, and based on the Foundation’s commitment to centering equity, the Scholar Award Committee has realigned the Undergraduate Scholars Award program. The Presser Scholar Award celebrates a student who has achieved a high level of musical and academic excellence and has exemplified diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice values. To be eligible, the nominated student must be currently enrolled as a full-time or part-time undergraduate music major at the end of their final year of study. |
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USC Outstanding Senior and President’s Award RecipientDuke KennedyBachelor of Music, Performance Students who receive the university’s Outstanding Senior award have demonstrated major achievement in the categories of service, leadership, academics and research. Selection for the President's Award is based on academic accomplishments, leadership achievements, co-curricular involvement and service to the Carolina community. Recipients have demonstrated major achievement in the categories of service, leadership, academics and research. Students chosen to receive this honor are among the university's most exceptional graduating seniors. |
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Phi Beta Kappa Freshman Award RecipientMadeline FyockBachelor of Arts, Music Each year, the Alpha Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa recognizes students who are pursuing a liberal arts major, achieved a 4.0 GPA and earned the largest number of hours during their freshman year. |
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Lauren E. Brubaker Carolinian AwardNicole MooreCertificate of Graduate Study The Lauren E. Brubaker Carolinian Award recognizes an undergraduate or graduate student who best exemplifies one or more qualities of the Carolinian Creed. It is given in memory of Dr. Lauren E. Brubaker, former Chair of the Department of Religious Studies and University Chaplain from 1949-1994, who embodied these qualities in his work on campus for many years. |
USC School of Music Spring Awards Day
The following awards were awarded at the School of Music’s annual Spring Awards Day Ceremony held on Friday, April 19, 2024, in the Recital Hall:
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Sigma Alpha Iota Scholastic AwardKarishma TandonBachelor of Music, Music Education This award is given to the graduating senior SAI member with the highest grade-point average. |
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Sigma Alpha Iota Honor AwardKate WagesBachelor of Music, Music Education 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 ExcellenceEmma SchwertfuehrerBachelor of Music, Performance 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 ExcellenceAustin DavisDoctor 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 CompositionShupeng CaoDoctor of Musical Arts, 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 AwardHelen CampbellBachelor of Arts, Languages, Literatures & Culture The Cello Fund was created by former students and "friends" of the USC cello program, honoring Bob 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 students' creativity, progress, initiative, and/or for a specific project. |
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Cello Fund AwardZach WardBachelor of Music, Performance |
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Christopher Berg Guitar AwardWill FlowersBachelor of Arts This award is significant because the fund that makes it possible was created by former students of Christopher Berg. This award is given annually to honor the undergraduate classical guitar student best exhibiting qualities of creativity, humility, perseverance, and improvement in their study of the guitar and musical performance. |
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American Musical Supply Outstanding Music Industry Student AwardMegan GallagherBachelor of Science, Music Industry Studies The AMS Outstanding Music Industry Student Award recognizes a student graduating with the Bachelor of Science in Music Industry Studies who has shown dedication to and engagement with the Music Industry Studies program and the industry at large. (This award also comes with a guitar from AMS and $500) |
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Music Industry Studies Squiggy DiGiacomo AwardJamison CooperBachelor of Arts, Journalism and Mass Communications, Advertising The MIS 'Squiggy' Award recognizes a student graduating with the Music Industry Studies minor that exemplifies the grit, determination, and tenacity of its namesake, Mark "Squiggy" DiGiacomo. Squiggy has been a vital partner for the Music Industry Studies program since its inception, connecting University of South Carolina students to valuable career resources and opportunities. (This award also comes with a guitar pedal from AMS) |
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Undergraduate Collaborative Piano AwardWill ByrdBachelor of Music, Performance The Undergraduate Collaborative Piano Award is awarded to one undergraduate piano major who demonstrates outstanding ability in the area of instrumental and vocal collaboration in the studio. This award will be given to the student who demonstrates great interest in the repertoire of other instruments and the voice. This student has strived towards developing and refining skills necessary for collaboration, such as the ability to lead, listen, and respond; provide musical cues; and communicate well with others. Efforts at collaboration have been demonstrated in both the studio and performance situations. |
Graduate Collaborative Piano AwardNathan VondergeestMaster of Music, Performance The Graduate Collaborative Piano Award is awarded to one graduate piano major who demonstrates outstanding ability in the area of instrumental and vocal collaboration in the studio. This award will be given to the student who demonstrates great interest in the the repertoire of other instruments and the voice. This student has strived towards developing and refining skills necessary for collaboration, such as the ability to lead, listen, and respond; provide musical cues; and communicate well with others. Efforts at collaboration have been demonstrated in both the studio and performance situations. |
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Ensemble Accompanying AwardJoshua PainterDoctor of Musical Arts, Performance The Ensemble Accompanying Award is awarded to one undergraduate or graduate piano major who demonstrates outstanding ability in the area of collaboration with a major ensemble. This award will be given to the student who demonstrates great interest in working within a larger ensemble and has exhibited the ability to effectively follow a conductor. The student has demonstrated the listening and communication skills necessary to function easily and effectively in both rehearsal and performance situations. |
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School of Music Social Justice AwardJustin SchwartzMaster of Music, Composition 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. |
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School of Music Social Justice AwardKenneth Green IIDoctor of Musical Arts, Conducting
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Spark Mini-Grant and Travel Recipients
For a complete list of students who received Spark: Music Leadership mini-grants, travel and summer study grants, click here.