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2021 School of Music Awards Celebration

CONGRATULATIONS!

Five awards were bestowed at the UofSC Awards Day Ceremony at the Colonial Life Arena on Thursday, April 15, 2021.
View awards here

Shelby McMehan

Arthur M. Fraser Award

Shelby McMehan
Bachelor of Music with emphasis in theory / Graduating May 2021

The Arthur M. Fraser Award is presented to the most outstanding graduating senior in the Bachelor of Arts in Music or the Bachelor of Music programs with emphasis in performance, theory or composition. The award is given in memory of Dr. Arthur Fraser, chair of the department of music from 1963-1972, whose numerous contributions to music in our state included the founding of the South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra.


Kelley Powell

Robert Van Doren Award

Kelley Powell
Bachelor of Music with emphasis in music education / Graduating May 2021

The Robert Van Doren Award is presented to the most outstanding graduating senior in the Bachelor of Music program with emphasis in music education. The award is given in honor of Dr. Van Doren, who served as professor of organ and coordinator of music education at UofSC from 1946–1978.


Kelley Powell

Robert Pruzin Music Leadership Award

Kelley Powell
Bachelor of Music with emphasis in music education / Graduating May 2021

The Robert Pruzin Music Leadership Award is given to the senior in the Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Arts programs who has demonstrated the most outstanding leadership skills in service, teaching, academic studies and/or music performance. The award is given in memory of Robert Pruzin, professor of horn from 1978-2013, and associate dean, director of undergraduate studies from 2003–2013.


Catherine Black

Cantey Award for Excellence

Catherine Black
Bachelor of Music with emphasis in performance-entrepreneurship 

The Cantey Award for Excellence is presented to a rising senior music major who best exemplifies excellence in scholarship (as measured by grade point average), musicianship (as measured by significant contributions to UofSC music ensembles and performances) and service (as measured by participation in school, university or civic organizations).


Dana Crystser

Presser Scholar Award

Dana Crytser
Bachelor of Music with emphasis in performance-chamber music 

The Presser Scholar Award is given by the Presser Foundation to recognize an outstanding music major at the end of his or her junior year. It is a prestigious award that recognizes not only the excellence of the student recipient but the music unit as well, since relatively few music schools across the nation are authorized to present the award. 


 

The following awards were awarded at the School of Music annual Spring Awards Day Ceremony that premiered on our YouTube channel on April 12, 2021.

Watch here

Shelby McMehan
Bachelor of Music with emphasis in theory / Graduating May 2021

The LeDare Robinson Undergraduate Award for Academic Excellence is awarded to one undergraduate music major who demonstrates outstanding ability in the area of music history and/or theory. This award is given to the student who demonstrates great interest in the personal, political and cultural history in which music exists and also an interest in understanding the personal languages of music expression. This student will have the ability to synthesize this knowledge into intelligent, informed class work, research projects and/or performances. 

Christian Folk
Master Music in Education / Graduating May 2021

The LeDare Robinson Graduate Award for Academic Excellence is awarded to one graduate music major who demonstrates outstanding ability in the area of music history and/or theory. This award is given to the student who demonstrates great interest in the personal, political and cultural history in which music exists and also an interest in understanding the personal languages of music expression. This student will have the ability to synthesize this knowledge into intelligent, informed classwork, research projects and/or performances. 

Hunter Vowell 
Bachelor of Music with emphasis in composition / Graduating May 2021

This award is significant because the fund that makes it possible was created by former students of Christopher Berg. This award is given annually to honor the undergraduate guitar student best exhibiting qualities of creativity, humility, perseverance and improvement in their study of the guitar and musical performance. 

Jeffrey Chen
Bachelor of Music with emphasis in music education

 Lydia Pless
Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

The Cello Fund Award was created by former students and "friends" of the UofSC cello program, honoring Robert Jesselson's 39 years of cello instruction. The fund is used to assist UofSC cello students in furthering their studies. The selection is made annually by the cello professor and the dean, based on the student's creativity, progress, initiative and/or for a specific project.

Ian Jones
Bachelor of Music with emphasis in composition / Graduating May 2021

The John Herr Award is awarded to an outstanding composition student for best achievement in writing original music.

Jalen Peake
Bachelor of Music with emphasis in music education

Christian Folk
Master Music in Education / Graduating May 2021

The School of Music Social Justice Award was established in 2020 by the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee to recognize students who serve as an example to others through a commitment to diversity and social justice beyond the scope of their student responsibilities. Determination of the award will be based on contributions to the music community in the areas of diversity, interculturalism, and social justice. Contributions can include, but are not limited to, community engagement in diversity and equity dialogue, education, and programming; implemented projects and initiatives that foster diversity, inclusive access, and social justice; and examined and/or modified current practices and policies impacting the School of Music or University of South Carolina.

Catherine Howland
Bachelor of Music with emphasis in music education / Graduated Fall 2020

This award is given to the graduating senior SAI member with the highest grade-point average. 

Brantley Ingram

Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education / Graduating May 2021

This award is given to the member who has made significant contributions to her chapter and the School of Music. This recognizes a SAI member who has demonstrated outstanding musicianship, scholarship and service to the local chapter.

 

Special Student Recognition

Summer-Fall 2020 Magellan Scholars

Honors, Junior
Middle Level Education, Spanish
Musician's Keys to Unique Branding and Successful Marketing
Mentor: David Cutler

Music Performance /  Graduating May 2021
Arts Outreach Practices in London, England
Mentor: Jennifer Parker-Harley

The Magellan Scholar program was established in 2005 to enrich the academic experience of UofSC's undergraduates with research opportunities in all disciplines from science, technology, and medicine, to theatre, music, and art. Through the faculty mentoring relationship and professional research experience, students creatively explore their interests at a more in-depth level than can attained in the classroom. Research gives students a competitive edge in the job market and when applying for graduate or professional schools. More than $2 Million has been awarded directly to over UofSC undergraduates to undertake a vast array of mentored research experiences! 

 

Pi Kappa Lambda

Bachelor of Music with emphasis in performance-entrepreneurship

Bachelor of Music with emphasis in performance

Bachelor of Music with emphasis in composition

Bachelor of Music with emphasis in music education

Bachelor of Music with emphasis in jazz studies

Doctor of Music Arts, Music Performance

Master of Music, Performance; voice / Graduating May 2021

Doctor of Musical Arts, Conducting

Master of Music, Music Performance / Graduating May 2021

Bachelor of Music with emphasis in music education / Graduating May 2021

Master of Music, Music Performance / Graduating May 2021

Bachelor of Music with emphasis in performance

Bachelor of Music with emphasis in performance / Graduating May 2021

Pi Kappa Lambda is an American honor society for undergraduate students, graduate students, and professors of music. There are over 200 chapters nationally; a complete roster of current chapters is listed in the organization's official website.

Creativity in Music Finalists

Lushootseed Virtual Community Choir

Connectone

The 2020 Monochord Project

Creative Connections: Reaching Beyond the Screen
 

The Sounds of the Season

The Creativity in Music Awards support music students who pursue inventive projects while offering a framework for expanding boundaries, taking chances and discovering their personal voice.

Performance Certificate Candidates

The performance certificate is awarded by the School of Music to recognize those undergraduate music students with degree emphases other than music performance as well as musically-talented students who major in other disciplines. The performance certificate allowed gifted and highly motivated students to acquire additional credit, professorial interaction and guidance.

Students with an asterisk (*) will be graduating in May 2021 with Distinction in Music Performance.

Bachelor of Music with emphasis in music education; bassoon
Major Professor: Michael Harley

Bachelor of Music with emphasis in music education; euphonium
Major Professor: Ron Davis

Bachelor of Music with emphasis in music education; saxophone
Major Professor: Clifford Leaman

Bachelor of Music with emphasis in music education; violin and voice
Major Professors: Ari Streisfeld (violin),  Serena Hill-LaRoche (voice),

Bachelor of Music with emphasis in composition; percussion
Major Professor: Scott Herring

Bachelor of Arts; violin
Major Professor: Ari Streisfeld

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, voice / Graduating May 2021
Major Professor: Janet Hopkins

Bachelor of Music with emphasis in music education; french horn
Major Professor: JD Shaw

Bachelor of Music with emphasis in music education; violin
Major Professor: William Terwilliger

Bachelor of Music with emphasis in music education; voice
Major Professor: Jacob Will

Bachelor of Music with emphasis in music education; french horn
Major Professor: JD Shaw

Bachelor of Science, Exercise Science; trombone / Graduating May 2021
Major Professor: Michael Wilkinson

Bachelor of Science, Marine Science; violin / Graduating May 2021
Major Professor: Ari Streisfeld

Bachelor of Science, Exercise Science; voice / Graduating May 2021
Major Professor: Donald Gray

Bachelor of Music with emphasis in music education; french horn
Major Professor: JD Shaw

Bachelor of Music with emphasis in music education; piano
Major Professor: Charles Fugo

Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Engineering; bassoon / Graduating May 2021
Major Professor: Michael Harley

Bachelor of Music with emphasis in music education; organ
Major Professor: Jared Johnson/David Lowry

Bachelor of Music with emphasis in music education; saxophone
Major Professor: Clifford Leaman

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR AWARDS RECIPIENTS!


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