We prepare students to become the music instructors of tomorrow while providing significant performance, teaching, leadership and research opportunities.
For more information, email Traci Hair or call 803-777-4106.
Scott Rush is the lead writer for the Habits series by GIA Publications and is the former Director of Bands at Wando High School
in Mount Pleasant, SC. He is a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music in
Boston, Massachusetts and the University of South Carolina. He currently serves as
co-conductor of the Charleston Wind Symphony, a semi-professional ensemble in Charleston,
South Carolina.
Under his direction, the Wando Symphonic Band performed at the 2007 Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic and were recipients of the 2007 Sudler Flag of Honor administered by the John Philip Sousa Foundation. His marching bands were two-time BOA Grand National finalist.
Mr. Rush is active as a conductor, clinician and adjudicator throughout the United States and Canada. He is the author and co-author of fourteen highly touted books, some of which include: Habits of A Successful Band Director, Habits of a Successful Beginner Band Musician, Habits of a Successful Musician, Habits of a Successful Beginner Band Musician, Habits of a Successful Middle School Musician, The Evolution of a Successful Band Director, Habits of a Successful Middle School Band Director, Habits of a Significant Band Director and Pathway to Success for GIA Publications. Mr. Rush has served as President of the South Carolina Band Directors Association and is a former member of the Board of Directors for the National Band Association. In 2010, Mr. Rush was elected into the prestigious American Bandmasters Association and in 2011 was awarded the Bandworld “Legion of Honor.” In 2016, he was awarded the Edwin Franko Goldman Award by the ASBDA for contributions to music education.
UofSC Music Education encompasses three main elements.
Teaching certification preparation is available through the Bachelor of Music with emphasis in Music Education degree.
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 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 teaches classes in the music education department. He is the director of the Carolina Band, and conducts the Symphonic Winds.
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’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.