School of MusicAt a Glance
The University of South Carolina’s School of Music is nationally respected for professional musician career preparation and leadership in music teaching, performance, composition, industry, research and related fields.
Beyond sought-after academics, the school is nationally recognized for its music education models, learning centers and community engagement programs. Students can grow as performers and future professionals in the school’s extensive range of performance venues — including the renowned Koger Center for the Arts — which host more than 300 concerts and recitals each year.
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McCord's Promise
Matt McCord, ’95 music, is a onetime marching band trumpet player, a former Carolina drum major and a Gamecock football season ticket holder. He is also a father of three — and he’s determined to pass his outsized Carolina pride to the next generation.
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The Mighty Sound in NYC!
When the Carolina Band marched in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, they carried more than 100 years of tradition through the streets of Manhattan. “It was palpable,” says drum major Maggie Boyd. “You could feel the electricity.”
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Championship Run: 2024 year in review
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.
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Faculty spotlight: Emily Ruth Allen
From the time she was in her high school marching band, Emily Ruth Allen has loved the atmosphere and celebratory tradition of Mardi Gras. Now the instructor of music and Southern Studies has made a career of studying festivals and celebratory rituals.
Spark: Music Leadership
The School of Music is home to Spark, the nation’s most comprehensive entity for the study of music leadership. The program, which prioritizes health and wellness for all music students and faculty and staff members, supplements a traditional music school experience by preparing musicians for vibrant, sustainable futures. The program mixes coursework, project support, guest residencies, advocacy, entrepreneurship, community engagement instruction and other initiatives to foster an unparalleled environment of creative learning, skill development, collaboration and personal exploration.
SPARK
