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School of Music

  • USC String Project students

Music Education

We prepare students to become the music instructors of tomorrow while providing significant performance, teaching, leadership and research opportunities.

  • Music teacher education, including emphases in early childhood/elementary, choral, strings and winds/percussion.
  • Leadership programs, including the Children's Music Development Center, the Choirs of Carolina Mentoring Initiative, the Congaree New Horizons Band Program and the USC String Project.
  • Research and creative activities, including a wide range of study options.

Music Education Programs 

Teaching certification preparation is available through the Bachelor of Music with emphasis in Music Education degree. 


Online MME

Here's how to apply: FAQ

For more information, email Traci Hair or call 803-777-4106.

Music Education Faculty

Gail V. Barnes

Gail Barnes

Gail Barnes teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses in stringed instrument methods and orchestra literature. She also teaches graduate courses in topics such as Introduction to Research in Music Education, Administration and Curriculum of Music Programs (with a focus on the Sociology of Music Education). Her research interests include community and school orchestra programs and access to music education for under-served youth.

Jabarie Glass

Jabarie Glass

Jabarie Glass serves as the associate director of choral studies, and he conducts University Chorus, Women’s Chorus, and teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in conducting and choral music education.

Jay Jacobs

Jay Jacobs

Jay Jacobs teaches classes in the music education department. He is the director of the Carolina Band, and conducts the Symphonic Winds.

Amanda Schlegel

Amanda Schlegel

Amanda Schlegel is assistant professor of instrumental music education at UofSC. Her research interests surround music perception and cognition as a function of instrumental music teacher/conductor effectiveness, music teacher education, and affective and emotional responses to music.

Wendy Valerio

Wendy Valerio

Wendy Valerio’s research interests include early childhood and elementary music development. She is a frequent presenter at national and international music education professional development conferences. Valerio supervises a variety of early childhood and elementary music practicum experiences for undergraduate music education majors, and she advises dissertations and theses.

African American Man with short hair and glasses

Quintus Wrighten, Jr.

Dr. Quintus F. Wrighten, Jr. is the Assistant Director of Bands and Associate Director of Athletic Bands at the University of South Carolina.  In addition to conducting the University Band, he teaches courses in conducting and band methods, supervises student teachers, codirects the basketball bands, and coordinates the volleyball band.  His appointment at the University of South Carolina follows public school teaching experience that spans thirteen years in middle and high schools of South Carolina, with his ensembles being recognized on state, regional, and national levels for consistent performance excellence.   


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