USC School of Music offers summer programs and events for all ages

Get all the details at Summer Programs. 

USC String Project 40th Anniversary Concert and Summer Camp

The USC String Project celebrates its 40th anniversary with a concert at the Koger Center on May 4 at 7 p.m. The nationally recognized program offers beginning classes in string instruments for children in 3rd through 5th grade and beginning classes for adults. Students get instruction through group classes and orchestras. The String Project Summer Camp takes place July 13–17.

Suzuki Festival

Suzuki violin, viola, cello, guitar, and piano students can participate in a fun, one-day workshop of master classes and Jazz, African drumming, crafts and enrichment classes. Hosted by the Suzuki Association of S.C. Midlands Chapter, the Festival takes place Saturday, May 30 in Johnson Performance Hall.

Music Play

You’re never too young for music! Music Play classes at the USC's Children's Music Development Center are part of an innovative program designed to develop the music potential of young children from newborns to five-year-olds. And it’s fun for parents too! Both Wednesday and Saturday classes are available. April 29–June 24 (Wed. class) and May 2–June 29 (Sat. class)

KinderFlute Summer Camp

Kids ages 5 to 12 get six weeks of group classes and six weeks of 30-minute private lessons. Camp dates are May 17–21. Not sure about it? You can attend a free introduction class on Saturday May 2 at 2:00.

Carolina Summer Music Conservatory

Advanced high school students of woodwind, strings, brass, percussion, jazz, voice and piano can get an intensive week of training with USC faculty and other professional musicians. In addition to individual lessons, courses in music history, music theory and jazz improvisation are offered during the week, June 7–13.

USC Summer Drum Major Clinic

Rising sophomores, juniors and seniors who have been selected as official drum majors for their high school can participate in the clinic, which focuses on the skills essential to becoming an effective high school drum major, June 18–20.

 

Carolina Opera Experience

Kids learn the art of props, make-up, costumes, scenery and musical preparation in this creative experience for 5th through 10th graders. Students work with professional-level opera singers, directors and designers and explore the basics of creating characters with and through music July 6–10.

Savvy Musician in ACTION Chamber Music Showcase

Sponsored by USC in collaboration with Chamber Music America, the four ensembles picked as finalists of the national chamber music competition play during the free Columbia’s First Thursday on Main event June 4 at Tapp’s Art Center from 7 to 10 p.m. The Free Times declared about the 2014 showcase, “Last night, Columbia was the epicenter of the classical revolution.” The Showcase is in conjunction with The Savvy Musician in ACTION summer workshop.

Conductors Institute of South Carolina

Watch the world’s next conductors as they train with professionals in the field. The public is invited to observe Mondays through Saturdays during the Institute, from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 – 4:30 p.m., June 6 – June 20 at the Koger Center for the Arts. 

Southeastern Piano Festival

The much anticipated Southeastern Piano Festival is a summer highlight in Columbia June 14–21. Twenty of some of the best precollege pianists on the piano scene today take part in a rigorous program that culminates with the Arthur Fraser International Piano Competition. Nightly concerts by a rich lineup of world-class pianists are open to the public, and the Festival opens with the Piano Fireworks Opening Gala Concert on Sunday, June 14 at 4 p.m. featuring Marina Lomazov, Joseph Rackers, Phillip Bush, Charles Fugo and guests performing on Living Legends Steinway Concert Artist Pianos.
Tickets are on sale now. Times and venues are subject to change, check the SEPF website for updates and details. 

 

Music Education Professional Development Courses

Educators can get CEUs with summer courses at the School of Music. This summer’s courses are Elementary Musicianship and Assessment, June 15–25, and Technology for Elementary Music Classrooms, June 15–18.

Summer Chorus I and II

Join summer singers for Haydn’s Paukenmesse and Hanson’s The Lament for Beowolf. Community singers and students are invited to participate in Summer Chorus at USC. Rehearsals are in June and July and culminate in public performances on June 26 and 28 and July 31 and August 2.