Arthur M. Fraser Award

William Byrd 
Bachelor of Music, Performance 
Graduating May 2025 

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. 

Robert Van Doren Award

Emily Schlegel 
Bachelor of Music, Music Education  
Undergraduate Performance Certificate  
Graduating May 2025 

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. 

Robert Pruzin Music Leadership Award

Mason Collins 
Bachelor of Music, Music Education  
Undergraduate Performance Certificate  
Graduating May 2025

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.

Cantey Award for Excellence

Ellakyn Brinkley 
Bachelor of Music, Music Education 
Undergraduate Performance Certificate  

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).  

Presser Scholar Award

Katherine Falvey 
Bachelor of Music, Music Education  
Undergraduate Performance Certificate  
Graduating May 2025

Theodore Presser, the founder of The Presser Foundation, was passionate about music education. The music publisher began his career as a music educator. When he created the Foundation, he committed 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.  

Sigma Alpha Iota Scholastic Award 

Elizabeth Sutherland 
Bachelor of Music, Music Education 
Undergraduate Performance Certificate 
Graduating May 2025 

This award is given to the graduating senior SAI member with the highest grade-point average. 

Sigma Alpha Iota Honor Award

Kate Wages 
Bachelor of Music, Music Education 
Undergraduate Performance Certificate 
Graduating May 2025 

This award is given to the member who has made significant contributions to her chapter and the School of Music. The award recognizes a SAI member who has demonstrated outstanding musicianship, scholarship, and service to the local chapter.  

LeDare Robinson Undergraduate Award for Academic Excellence

Carter Stanton 
Bachelor of Music, Composition 
Undergraduate Performance Certificate 

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 has the ability to synthesize this knowledge into intelligent, informed class work, research projects and/or performances. 

LeDare Robinson Graduate Award for Academic Excellence

Shupeng Cao 
Doctor 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 has the ability to synthesize this knowledge into intelligent, informed classwork, research projects and/or performances.  

John and Lucrecia Herr Award for Composition

Carter Stanton 
Bachelor of Music, Composition 
Undergraduate Performance Certificate 

The John Herr Award is awarded to an outstanding composition student for best achievement in writing original music.  

Cello Fund Award 

Hillary Flowers 
Doctor of Musical Arts, Performance 

John Koontz 
Bachelor of Music, Performance

Paul Maxwell 
Doctor of Musical Arts, Performance 

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.

Christopher Berg Guitar Award 

Campbell McEntire 
Master of Music, Performance 

This award is significant because former students of Christopher Berg created the fund that makes it possible. It is given annually to honor the undergraduate classical guitar student who best exhibits the qualities of creativity, humility, perseverance, and improvement in their study of the guitar and musical performance.  

Music Industry Studies Squiggy DiGiacomo Award

Chloe Grochowksi 
Bachelor of Arts, Journalism and Mass Communications, Public Relations 
Music Industry Studies Minor  
Graduating May 2025 

Madeline Hager 
Bachelor of Arts, Journalism and Mass Communications, Journalism 
Music Industry Studies Minor  
Graduating May 2025 

The MIS 'Squiggy' Award recognizes a student graduating with the Music Industry Studies minor who 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. 

American Musical Supply Outstanding Music Industry Student Award 

Katheryn Ailes 
Bachelor of Science, Music Industry Studies 
Graduating May 2025 

Madison LaFontan 
Bachelor of Science, Music Industry Studies 
Graduating May 2025 

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.  

Undergraduate Collaborative Piano Award 

Xavier Galloway 
Bachelor 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. Collaboration efforts have been demonstrated in both studio and performance situations. 

Graduate Collaborative Piano Award 

Sharon Yi-Hsuan Wu 
Doctoral of Music Arts, 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 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.  Collaboration efforts have been demonstrated in both studio and performance situations. 

Ensemble Accompanying Award

William Byrd 
Bachelor of Music, Performance 
Graduating May 2025 

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. 

School of Music Social Justice Award 

Agnieszka Lasko 
Doctor of Musical Arts, Piano Pedagogy 

Gabriela McWethy 
Bachelor of Music, Music Education

The USC School of Music Social Justice Awards were established in 2020 by the Inclusive Excellence committee to recognize undergraduate and graduate students who serve as examples to others through a commitment to multivocality and social justice beyond the scope of their student responsibilities. Determination of the awards will be based on contributions to the music community in the areas of interculturalism and social justice. Contributions can include, but are not limited to, community engagement in inclusive practices, equity dialogue, education, and programming; implemented projects and initiatives that foster multiple perspectives, inclusive access, and social justice; and examined and/or modified current practices and policies impacting the School of Music or University of South Carolina. Each year two students are chosen to receive this recognition based on nominations from students, staff, and faculty members.