School of Music

Brass

The USC brass studies area provides its students with excellent training and the necessary expertise for a successful career in music.

As a student of brass at USC, 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 USC’s brass teaching division. Davis joined USC’s faculty in 1985 and was a founding member of The Tubadours, the first professional tuba quartet to play at Disneyland.

J.D. Shaw

J.D. 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. J.D. 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.