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Summer is no time to stop the music

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


Summer Chorus I and II

Community singers and students are invited to participate in Summer Chorus at USC. Join summer singers for Mozart’s Missa Brevis, Brahms’ Nanie and Corigliano’s Fern Hill. First rehearsal for Summer Chorus I is May 31. Summer Chorus II’s first rehearsal is July 5, performing Haydn’s Harmony Mass and Brahm’s Song of Fate (tentative). Public performances are June 24 and 26 and July 29 and 31. Register at first rehearsal. $15


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 – Saturdays during the Conductors Institute, from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 – 4:30 p.m., June 5 – June 18 at the Koger Center for the Arts. Contact Charlene Rackley: charl@mailbox.sc.edu or 803-777-7500.


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. June 8–July 20 (Wed. class) and June 11–July 23 (Sat. class). Registration deadline is June 1 for Wed. class and June 4 for Sat. class.
Contact Wendy Valerio: wvalerio@mozart.sc.edu or 803-777-5382.


Southeastern Piano Festival

The much anticipated Southeastern Piano Festival is a summer highlight in Columbia June 12–19. 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 guest pianists are open to the public, and the Festival opens with the Piano Extravaganza Concert on Sunday, June 12 featuring Marina Lomazov, Joseph Rackers, Phillip Bush, Charles Fugo and guests. Tickets are on sale here.


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 Drum Major Clinic, which focuses on the skills essential to becoming an effective high school drum major, June 16–18. Deadline to register is June 3. $110 per person (lodging not included).
Contact: uscbands@mozart.sc.edu or 803-777-4278.


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 at Carolina Summer Music Conservatory. In addition to individual lessons, courses in music history, music theory and jazz improvisation are offered during the week. June 19–25. $450; with room/board $725.
Contact Clifford Leaman: cleaman@mozart.sc.edu or 803-576-5893.


Carolina Opera Experience

Carolina Opera Experience campers get an exciting, hands-on experience in the art of opera, and the week ends with a public performance. 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 11–15. $185
Contact Lisa Smith: lsmith@mozart.sc.edu or 803-777-5369.


Music Education Professional Development Courses

Music education professional development courses are for early childhood, elementary, middle school and high school music teachers, piano teachers, instrumental teachers, musicians, professional performers and music education students interested in furthering their understanding of audiation and enhancing their teaching through an audiation approach, are eligible to enroll. July 11–22. $150/565
Contact Wendy Valerio: wvalerio@mozart.sc.edu or 803-777-5382.


Summer Piano Camps and Lessons

NEW! For beginners: This two-week course at the Center for Piano Studies is open to beginners, from age 5 to 8, who have had one year or less of piano study. July 11–15 and July 18–22.
NEW! For intermediates: this one-week class is for ages 8 to 14 who have taken piano for at least 3 years takes place June 27–July 2 and July 25–30. Private lessons are also available. Cost varies.
Contact Sara Ernst: piano@mozart.sc.edu or 803-777-4414.


USC String Project Summer Camp

Students in grades 3 through high school hone their skills and learn from experienced teachers and graduate students. String Project Camp fosters the excitement of developing skills on an orchestral string instrument and is open to students who have completed one year of instruction. July 11–15.
Contact: uscsp@mozart.sc.edu or 803-777-9568.


Private Lessons

Private lessons are available in brass, strings, woodwinds, guitar, percussion and voice. Our private lesson program offers 10 or 6 lessons. New this summer: Music theory classes introduce students to the basic elements and notional conventions of music. These building blocks of musical grammar provide the foundation for further explorations in harmony, history, counterpoint, and analysis. Cost varies.
Contact: cms@mozart.sc.edu or 803-777-5381.


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