Brass
The School of Music brass studies area provides its students with excellent training
and the necessary expertise for a successful career in music.
As a School of Music student of brass, you’ll benefit from our faculty's experience
in almost every aspect of music from education to performing with symphony orchestras
and premier military bands, from research to composing, publishing and recording music.
Our graduates have gone on to notable achievements in all of the areas. Find out more
about our degree offerings: Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, Doctor of Musical Arts.
Our varied performance opportunities include: Trumpet Ensemble, The Carolina Trombone
Collective, brass quintets and other chamber music.
Brass Faculty

James Ackley
James Ackley is a Yamaha Artist and Clinician, having performed in more than 25 countries
with ensembles that include the Moscow State Radio Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony and
the Bogota Philharmonic, among others. He has numerous recordings to his credit and
has been nominated for a Grammy.

Ronald Davis
Ronald Davis is principal tubist with the South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra and
coordinates UofSC’s brass teaching division. Davis joined UofSC’s faculty in 1985
and was a founding member of The Tubadours, the first professional tuba quartet to
play at Disneyland.

JD Shaw
JD Shaw was formerly the French hornist with the internationally acclaimed Boston
Brass where he was creative director, music arranger and co-owner of the ensemble.
He is an active solo artist and travels extensively throughout the United States as
well as many countries in North America, Europe and Asia.

Michael Wilkinson
Michael Wilkinson is a versatile music educator and musician who doubles on tenor
and bass trombone (as well as alto, contrabass and euphonium) and taught middle school
band in Arizona in his “past life.” Equally at home in varied musical styles, he has
played with the South Carolina Philharmonic and the Brass Band of Central Florida,
as well as being a member of the newly-formed South Carolina Jazz Masterworks Ensemble.
Michael released his first solo CD, “Wait for Me!” on Random Act Records in 2017 and
is an S.E. Shires Trombone Artist.
Brass Events
Sunday, Sep. 18, 2022
Location: Koger Center Auditorium, See Description for Event Location.
Cost: FREE
Thursday, Sep. 22, 2022
Location: Koger Center Auditorium
Cost: General public - $30 Seniors / military / USC faculty and staff - $25 Children under 18 and non-USC students with ID - $8 USC Students - free with student ID - must be picked up from the Koger Box Office (corner of Park and Greene) before 5:00 p.m. on the day of the performance or in the Koger Center lobby immediately prior to the performance.
Tuesday, Sep. 27, 2022
Location: School of Music 206 Recital Hall
Cost: FREE
Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022
Location: See Description for Event Location.
Cost: FREE
Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022
Location: School of Music 206 Recital Hall
Cost: FREE
View the Calendar