Committed to providing outstanding musical opportunities for students of all levels and abilities, the University of South Carolina Bands offers three ensembles. Membership in these ensembles is open to all USC students, regardless of major or classification.
The premier wind band at the university is one of the finest of its kind in the nation. In addition to its annual concert series at the Koger Center for the Arts, the ensemble was featured at the 2013 College Band Directors National Association Conference. The group records on the Naxos label and the ensemble’s CD featuring the music of Leonard Bernstein was released in 2013 to critical acclaim. Placement is determined by blind audition. Cormac Cannon conducts.
Symphonic Winds performs music that represents both traditional and contemporary genres. Among its achievements, the ensemble was featured at the 2012 College Band Director’s National Association Southern Regional Conference. Placement is determined by blind audition. Jay Jacobs conducts.
The University Band provides musical challenge and growth as well as fellowship to all who enjoy performing. No audition is required. Quintus F. Wrighten, Jr. conducts.
Formed in 1999 by James Copenhaver and William Moody, the Palmetto Concert Band is one of the leading adult bands in the nation and is made up of professional and semiprofessional musicians from throughout South Carolina.