Championship Run: 2024 year in review
December 16, 2024
From a national championship and record research funding to a major engineering gift and a host of academic awards, 2024 was a banner year for USC.
Stories for Parents
Student ensembles kick off School of Music centennial celebration
September 04, 2024, Carol J.G. Ward
The Centennial Celebration Concert joins more than 500 student musicians in the first of a series of events showcasing School of Music programs, students and faculty.
Fall Arts Preview
August 28, 2024, Kristine Hartvigsen
Soon all of us will experience an arts immersion like no other — autumn. We will marvel at breathtaking color — yellows, russets, reds and browns — brilliantly lighting up the landscape. The University of South Carolina similarly offers a wide spectrum of arts experiences to ignite your imagination this fall. Here is a sampling.
Students with disabilities learn piano through USC's Carolina LifeSong Initiative
May 23, 2024, Megan Sexton
This fall will mark the 25th year of the Carolina LifeSong Initiative, a program started by Carolina Distinguished Professor of Music Scott Price that provides piano lessons and creative music-making experiences for students with autism and other disabilities.
USC String Project marks 50 years of hitting the right notes
April 05, 2024, Megan Sexton
The gold standard in string music education is marking its golden anniversary this year. For the past 50 years, the University of South Carolina String Project has been the national model in a program that combines music lessons with community service and teacher education.
USC youth summer camps 2024
March 01, 2024, Communications and Marketing
With only a few short months until summer, it’s time for parents to find summer activities for their children. USC offers a wide variety of summer camps for all ages and all interests from music to soccer, dance and engineering.
Matt White's approach for "Lowcountry" has him headed to Spoleto
January 26, 2024, Thom Harman
From a new program home to new music to continued research, Matt White, Jazz Studies Program chair, is rather busy. His novel approach to a 2023 release, “Lowcountry” — incorporating Gullah histories and stories with contemporary jazz — has earned White and his collaborators a chance to perform the piece during the 2024 Spoleto Festival.
Carolina Marching Band selected to perform in the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Parade
September 08, 2023, Thom Harman
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® committee has announced the Carolina Band as one of their premier bands selected to perform in the 2024 parade. The announcement was made at halftime of the South Carolina vs. Furman football game on Saturday (Sept. 9). The band was one of just 10 chosen from more than 100 applicants. This is the first time in the band’s 100+-year history that it’s been given this opportunity.
USC youth summer camps 2023
February 03, 2023, Alexis Watts, Grace Farrar
With only a few short months until summer, it’s time for parents to find summer activities for their children. USC offers a wide variety of summer camps for all interests from music to soccer and dance to engineering.
School of Music reinvigorating South Carolina's jazz scene
January 31, 2023, Alexis Watts
The School of Music is bolstering the state’s jazz scene thanks to a dedicated space to train jazz educators and artists, outreach programs to seed the state’s jazz pipeline from the Upstate to the Lowcountry and energetic faculty eager to connect students with top musicians.
USC students connect incarcerated mothers and their children
January 31, 2023, Alexis Watts, Brandie Perron
School of Music students are using music as a way to connect new mothers at Camille Graham Correctional Institution and their babies through a program called The Lullaby Project, which is a project of Carnegie Hall and their Weill Music Institute.
Beyond ballet and Broadway
December 21, 2022, Alexis Watts
The Koger Center is well-known for hosting performances from Broadway in Columbia, Columbia Classical Ballet and the School of Music. The destination for theater, dance and music is now also a community venue for visual arts and more unique events.
School of Music expands commitment to jazz education with dedicated facility
November 10, 2022, Alexis Watts
Greene Street United Methodist Church will become the future home of the School of Music jazz program.
Student organizes event to share joy of music with Deaf community
April 18, 2022, Carol J.G. Ward
An interactive, multisensory Music Field Day organized by School of Music senior Madie Willard will offer children who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families an opportunity to experience music through the senses. Headlining the event will be DEAFinitely Dope, an internationally recognized deaf hip hop (dip hop) artist based in the Atlanta area.
UofSC youth summer camps 2022
March 07, 2022, Savannah Bennett
With only a few short months until summer, it’s time for parents to find summer activities for their children. UofSC offers a wide variety of summer camps for all interests from music to soccer and dance to engineering.
Professor Birgitta Johnson connects music with culture, experience and emotion
February 02, 2022, Carol J.G. Ward
As a professor of ethnomusicology, Birgitta Johnson studies the interaction of music and culture – why and how people make music and why it's important as a part of their identity or tradition. Much of her research is done in the field talking with and engaging with communities, including public events such as an upcoming music series she is hosting with the Columbia Museum of Art.
Music opportunities at UofSC provide students, community chance to connect
October 29, 2021, Savannah Bennett
Whether you’re enjoying the Mighty Sound of the Southeast during a football game or practicing Vivaldi for a symphony concert, music connects us to each other. The University of South Carolina offers music and non-music majors alike many opportunities to listen, play and get connected to music.
New faculty spotlight: Colleen Clark
October 15, 2021, Dan Cook
When Colleen Clark signed up to play drums as an elementary school student, she was initially told to play flute instead. In 2019, she became the first woman — and first drummer — to earn a doctorate in jazz performance from the University of North Texas. At South Carolina, she wants to ensure that the jazz program is welcoming to all.
For alumni musicians, playing in UofSC festival is coming home
September 07, 2021, Carol J.G. Ward
Albert Carter and Jessica Robinson-Stinson are among five alumni musicians participating in the Mahogany Music Festival, Sept. 9-11. Presented by the School of Music and the Auntie Karen Foundation, the three-day event also features the Colour of Music Festival orchestra and the Auntie Karen Legends of ... concert with Vanessa Williams.
Class of 2021: Katherine Kimbrough
April 19, 2021, Page Ivey
Katherine Kimbrough came to UofSC to study music performance with her voice as her instrument. After graduating in May, she plans to attend graduate school and with the goal of becoming a performer and teacher.
Class of 2021: Sydney Womack
April 15, 2021, Chris Horn
Sydney Womack’s calendar has been booked nearly solid during her four years at South Carolina and little wonder — she majored in biomedical engineering, minored in mathematics, earned a performance certificate in the School of Music, conducted undergraduate research and co-authored a scholarly article and three poster presentations. She also attended football, basketball and baseball games whenever she could, held leadership positions in two engineering student societies and regularly volunteered to pitch STEM career opportunities to high school students.
UofSC youth summer camps 2021
April 07, 2021, Madyn G. Coakley
With only a few short months until summer, it’s time for parents to find summer activities to enhance the lives and bolster the minds of their children. Fortunately, UofSC offers a wide variety of summer camps for all interests from computer science and engineering to music and dance.
Concerts honor frontline workers, aim to strengthen community through music
March 22, 2021, Carol J.G. Ward
Celebrating Local Heroes with The Concert Truck, a series of 10 events performed aboard a mobile music venue will honor 10 frontline heroes with video vignettes that highlight personal stories of sacrifice and courage and live music composed and performed by music students and alumni.
3 brothers, 3 Goldwater Scholarships, 1 passion
March 15, 2021, Aïda Rogers and Chris Horn
Reggie, Connor and Ian Bain all double majored in mathematics and a field of science, they’re all alumni of the University of South Carolina’s Honors College (Ian graduates in May) and Carolina Scholars and each was named a Goldwater Scholar, which is considered the nation’s most prestigious undergraduate award for STEM majors.
Music dean receives Governor's Award for enriching the arts in South Carolina
February 18, 2021, Carol JG Ward
Tayloe Harding, dean of the School of Music was honored with a 2021 Governor’s Award for the Arts for his work in arts education. Harding was one of seven recipients of the award, the state’s highest recognition for achievement in practicing or supporting the arts.
Music grad ready to inspire the next generation of vocalists
November 25, 2020, Megan Sexton
Catherine Howland will earn her Bachelor of Music degree with an emphasis in music education summa cum laude in December. The School of Music and Honors College grad will start her career as a choir teacher at a middle school in South Carolina starting in January.
The Mighty Sound of the Southeast turns 100
September 15, 2020, Chris Horn
The Mighty Sound of the Southeast — the University of South Carolina's Marching Band — marks its 100th anniversary this fall, and a special tribute is planned on Facebook Sept. 25.
Class of 2020: Thomas Palmer
May 06, 2020, Megan Sexton
Thomas Palmer chose UofSC because of the opportunities offered by a large university, along with its top-flight School of Music and impressive Honors College. Playing in the orchestra during the production of Leonard Bernstein’s MASS, he was reminded that he made the right decision
UofSC youth summer camps 2020
February 18, 2020
With only a few short months until summer, it’s time for parents to find summer activities to enhance the lives and bolster the minds of their children. Fortunately, UofSC offers a wide variety of summer camps for all interests from music to journalism and softball to science.
Opera at USC presents Carlisle Floyd's "Susannah" Nov. 1-3
October 23, 2019, Ellen Woodoff
Carlisle Floyd’s "Susannah" is one of the most beloved American operas. Under the direction of Ellen Douglas Schlaefer, the School of Music presents the opera at Drayton Hall Theatre Nov. 1-3.
Fulbright Grant allows recipients to continue study, research
June 20, 2019, Josh German
For the 18th consecutive year, the University of South Carolina will be represented abroad by Fulbright U.S. student grantees conducting research, studying and serving as English teaching assistants.
Tayloe Harding named interim provost
June 06, 2019, Jeff Stensland
Tayloe Harding, the dean of the University of South Carolina School of Music, has been named the university’s interim provost, effective July 1.
String Project serves as 'gold standard' in music education
May 29, 2019, Megan Sexton
The University of South Carolina String Project is a model of community service and teacher education, which has been duplicated at nearly 40 universities around the country.
For the Kids
February 28, 2019, Allen Wallace
A year ago, University of South Carolina Dance Marathon made history, raising more than a million dollars for the kids at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital (then known as Palmetto Health). Just days after that success, they began working to do it again. That yearlong effort concludes Saturday with the student organization’s annual Main Event.
UofSC youth summer camps 2019
February 12, 2019, Lee Goble
With only a few short months until summer, it’s time for parents to find summer activities to enhance the lives and bolster the minds of their children. Fortunately, UofSC offers a wide variety of summer camps for all interests from music to journalism and softball to science.
Re-envisioning music education
January 23, 2019, Carol J.G. Ward
An international workshop at the University of South Carolina challenged participants to consider the future of music higher education by re-envisioning curriculum for the 21st century
USC Creativity
December 03, 2018, Megan Sexton
The university has established several new degree programs that illustrate creative curricula by adding innovation, an entrepreneurial approach or other types of value to traditional degrees.
A glimpse into the future
July 26, 2018, Ross Stevens
Each summer, middle and high school students from around the world have the opportunity to get a hands-on college experience through multiple summer camps operated by the University of South Carolina.
A grand gift
May 30, 2018, Chris Horn
The definition of a grand piano is simple — a large piano with the body, strings and soundboard arranged horizontally and supported by three legs. But what makes a piano “grand?” Willson Powell and Karen Brosius can point to the piano they bought 37 years ago — and have now donated to the University of South Carolina's School of Music.
UofSC youth summer camps 2018
February 27, 2018, Taylor Evans
Summer is quickly approaching, meaning that children will soon need activities to enrich their lives and expand their minds. Luckily for parents, Carolina has a variety of summer camp options for every interest from singing to softball to science.
Peace be with you
January 31, 2018
One of the splendors of music is its power to inspire joy, acceptance and understanding among people of all backgrounds and beliefs. It is widely recognized that Leonard Bernstein’s dramatic "MASS: Theatre Piece for Singers, Players and Dancers" does just that, bringing to life diverse views on spirituality, self-reflection and personal responsibility through the musical means only one of America’s greatest composers could envision.
Mungo Distinguished Professor of the Year: Cliff Leaman
July 21, 2017, Megan Sexton
Clifford Leaman's love of teaching and performing is obvious to Leaman’s students and colleagues, who describe him as a master performer and teacher. This year, the university presented Leaman, who has taught saxophone at Carolina for the past 17 years, with its highest teaching honor: the Michael J. Mungo Distinguished Professor of the Year Award.
South Carolina's premier piano festival celebrates 15th anniversary
June 13, 2017, John Brunelli
The 2017 Southeastern Piano Festival opens June 18 with a Piano Extravaganza concert. The region's only piano-focused arts event runs through June 24 with nightly concerts from world-class pianists and a competition of rising stars.
Twenty-Sixteen: By the Letters
December 15, 2016, USC Times
A is for alphabet, at least according to USC Times. To help close out 2016, the University of South Carolina’s monthly magazine for faculty and staff devoted its entire December issue to the ABCs of 2016 — with each letter representing a different accomplishment, announcement or notable arrival from the past year.
Portnoy conducts a night of scores from movie blockbusters
October 13, 2016, John Brunelli
Maestro Donald Portnoy has spent 31 years creating dynamic symphonic concerts at the University of South Carolina. His farewell season includes a night of movie scores from "Jaws," "Harry Potter," "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," and other blockbusters.