University of South Carolina School of Music
Former name | Department of Music |
|---|---|
| Type | Public |
| Established | 1924; Chartered in 1994 |
Parent institution | University of South Carolina |
| Accreditation | National Association of Schools of Music |
| Dean | Tayloe Harding |
| Address | 813 Assembly St , Columbia , South Carolina , 29208 , United States |
| Website | https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/music/ |
The University of South Carolina School of Music is a collegiate music school in Columbia, South Carolina as a part of the flagship campus of the University of South Carolina (USC). The program was originally founded as the university's Department of Music in 1924 and was chartered in 1994 as the School of Music.[1] The school is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.[2] It is the largest collegiate music program in the state of South Carolina by enrollment.[3]
History[edit]
The Department of Music of the University of South Carolina was founded in 1924 following a growth in interest and involvement with music at the university.[4] This growth in interest began in the 1900s, driven largely by student-run organizations such as the glee club as well as the Carolina Band, which was student run from its founding in 1920 until 1923, when George Olson became the first faculty member in charge of the group.[5]
In 1960, the Music Department, along with other fine arts departments, were moved to the McMaster School, a building that previously served as an elementary school until being purchased by the university.[6]
As the Music Department continued to grow, it became more difficult to house all activities in one building, leading to activities being spread across other buildings within the campus.[7] As a result, major construction projects were initiated. A new performing arts center, the Koger Center for the Arts was opened in 1989.[8] In 1991, the South Carolina State Legislature approved a bond bill for a new dedicated music building to be built adjacent to the Koger Center.[9] Construction for the new building began in 1993 and was finished the next year.[10] This coincided with the Music Department being chartered as its own college in 1994, becoming the University of South Carolina School of Music.[11]
In 2020, the University of South Carolina bought the property of Greene Street United Methodist Church, diagonally across the street from the School of Music and Koger Center. The building was renovated to become the new home of the School of Music's Jazz Department and opened in the fall of 2023.[12][13]
Facilities[edit]
The University of South Carolina School of Music is located at 813 Assembly Street. The building consists of a basement which contains practice and rehearsal spaces, as well as three upper floors which contain classrooms and offices. The School of Music houses the university's Music Library on the second floor. This floor also contains a recital hall which has a 2-manual pipe organ.[14]
The School of Music uses the Koger Center for the Arts, which it is directly adjacent to, for large ensemble concerts. It also uses other facilities such as Greene Street United Methodist Church for the Jazz Department, the second floor of the Discovery Parking Garage as the USC String Project Building,[15] and the Copenhaver Band Hall for Carolina Band rehearsals.
Ensembles[edit]
The University of South Carolina has a number of musical ensembles open to all USC students whether majoring in music or not. The school has two orchestras, three concert bands, an opera, and several jazz, percussion and choral ensembles.[16] The Percussion Ensemble was invited to perform at the 2021 Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC).[17] The Carolina Band was invited to perform at the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.[18]
Degree programs[edit]
The following degree programs are offered by the School of Music of the University of South Carolina:[19]
- Music education (BM, MMus, MAT, PhD)
- Piano pedagogy (MMus, DMA)
- Violin/Viola Pedagogy (MMus)
- Music Performance (BM, MMus, DMA, Certificate) Performance Degrees and Certificates are offered for the following instruments/areas:
- Keyboard: Piano, Organ
- Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double bass
- Woodwind: Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet, Saxophone
- Brass: Trumpet, French horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba
- Percussion
- Guitar
- Voice
- Music Composition (BM, MMus, DMA)
- Jazz Studies (BM, MMus)
- Music theory (BM, MMus)
- Conducting (MMus, DMA)
- Music history (MMus)
- Opera (BM)
- Music Industry Studies (BS, Minor)
- Audio Recording (Minor)
- Music Entrepreneurship (Minor)
- Music (BA, Minor)
- Musical Theatre (BA)
Alumni[edit]
- Andy Akiho, percussionist and composer
- Andrew J. Allen, saxophonist and professor of music
- Johnny Helms, trumpet player, band leader, and music educator
- Virginia Uldrick, founder of the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts & Humanities
- Joseph Young, orchestral conductor
- Darius Rucker, singer-songwriter (honorary doctorate in music)[20]
References[edit]
- ^ "History of the School of Music – School of Music | University of South Carolina". sc.edu. Retrieved 2023-09-25.
- ^ "National Association of Schools of Music: Accredited Institutions Search".
- ^ "About the School of Music – School of Music | University of South Carolina". sc.edu. Retrieved 2023-09-25.
- ^ "History of the School of Music – School of Music | University of South Carolina". sc.edu. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
- ^ "Wayback Machine". web.archive.org. 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
- ^ "McMaster Houses Music, Art". The Gamecock. September 16, 1960.
- ^ "History of the School of Music – School of Music | University of South Carolina". sc.edu. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
- ^ "Koger Center for the Arts: History".
- ^ "SENATE JOURNAL for June 6, 1991 – South Carolina Legislature Online". www.scstatehouse.gov. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
- ^ "USC Breaks Ground on Music Building". The Gamecock. December 8, 1993.
- ^ "The Gamecock". August 25, 1994.
- ^ "New creation in Christ: Greene Street sells property to UofSC". SC Advocate. 2020-12-31. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
- ^ "Greene Street Methodist Church to become new home for USC jazz studies". Greene Street Methodist Church to become new home for USC jazz studies – The Daily Gamecock at University of South Carolina. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
- ^ "Facilities – School of Music | University of South Carolina". sc.edu. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
- ^ "USC String Project – School of Music | University of South Carolina". sc.edu. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
- ^ "Ensembles – School of Music | University of South Carolina". sc.edu. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
- ^ "PASIC 2021 UofSC Percussion Ensemble Program by The UofSC School of Music – Issuu". issuu.com. 2021-10-25. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
- ^ "Carolina Band members react to Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade announcement: 'It was so surreal'". Carolina Band members react to Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade announcement: 'It was so surreal' – The Daily Gamecock at University of South Carolina. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
- ^ "Degree Programs – School of Music | University of South Carolina". sc.edu. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
- ^ Group, Sinclair Broadcast (2013-05-12). "Darius Rucker addresses USC Honors College grads". WCIV. Retrieved 2024-03-05.