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2023-2024 Season

The University of South Carolina Symphony Orchestra's 2023-2024 season opens on Thursday, September 28 with Gershwin's musical portrait of early-20th-century New York City, Rhapsody in Blue. Now a widely recognized piece, the jazz-infused composition is a fusion of classical and free-form structured music. The concert also features Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 and Adolphus Hailstork's Song of the Magi; joining  the symphony orchestra are School of Music faculty Nicholas Susi on piano and Hassan Anderson on oboe. Conducted by Scott Weiss.

Music of the Americas is the theme for the ensemble's Thursday, November 2 concert. Conducted by Scott Weiss, special guest artists include twice Grammy-nominated guitarist Mak Grgić and soprano Diana Thompson-Brewer. The program includes works from composers from all corners of the Americas including  Brooklyn-born composer and flautist Jennifer Higdon's Blue Cathedral;  Samuel Barber's Knoxville, Summer of 1915;  Argentinean composer Alberto Ginastera's Four Dances from “Estancia” and Mexican composer Silvestre Revueltas' Sensemayá.  Mak Grgić performs Michael Abel's Borders, a piece commissioned by ROCO & Quad City Symphony and Grgić. Many of the works are inspired by personal stories. The beginning of Abels’ guitar concerto introduces an idea of a refugee journey inspired by the escape of Grgić's family and friends from the Bosnian war in the 1990s, and Higdon used the sudden death by her little brother as a experience of catharsis to write Blue Cathedral.  

First prize winner of the 2016 Young Concert Artists, Xavier Foley headlines the Tuesday, December 5 concert with Soul Bass. A native of Marietta, GA, Foley is known for communicating his virtuosity and passion for music on the double bass, which is rarely presented as a solo instrument.  The December program also features Concert Overture No. 1 by trailblazing composer Florence Price, Johann Strauss II’s Die Fledermaus Overture  conducted by USC Symphony Assistant Conductor Jordan Brooks, and Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet, Suite No. 2.

From sweet, lilting notes to explosive power, experience a spectacle of sound with USC Symphony Orchestra's Tuesday, February 6 program titled The Lark Ascending.  Inspired by English poet George Meredith's 122 line poem of the song of the skylark, Vaughan Williams' joyful and flitting The Lark Ascending  features violinist Lun Li as the voice of the skylark. Tension builds with another winged creature: a fighter plane. Film score composer William Walton's dramatic Spitfire Prelude and Fugue is an explosive orchestral march and fugue musically describing the fighter plane's power and nimbleness. Thea Musgrave's lighthearted Loch Ness brings playfulness back to the concert hall. The role of this fabled monster is played by none other than the tuba! Haydn's Symphony No. 104 “London” rounds out the evening. Conducted by Scott Weiss and assistant conductor Austin Davis.

Rising Stars, featuring winners of the 2023-24 Concerto-Aria Competition returns  Tuesday, March 19.  Pianist Almond Ponge performs Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and Andrew Moore performs Tomasi's Saxophone Concerto.  Assistant conductor Jordan Brooks leads the orchestra for Bartok’s Concerto for Orchestra.

Brahms Requiem, a luscious, heartfelt composition of life, love and loss is the season finale Thursday, April 18.  Choral conductor Alicia W. Walker leads an all-star ensemble featuring the USC Symphony Orchestra; Rebecca Krynski Cox, soprano; Joseph Parrish, bass-baritone; the USC Concert Choir and University Chorus. A must-hear event!

Click here for dates and additional details or download the brochure of the season.

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The 2023-2024 Season is on sale now!

Season subscriptions

Save with a season subscription (6 concerts) and enjoy the best seats in the house: $150.
Season discounts: $110 senior citizen / military / USC faculty and staff; $45 students.
Current subscribers may renew their subscriptions in person or online now.

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Concert tickets

Purchase online at kogercenterforthearts.com.

General public - $30
Seniors / military / USC faculty and staff - $25
Children under 18 and non-USC students with ID - $8

USC Students - free with student ID  - must be picked up from the Koger Box Office (corner of Park and Greene) before 5:00 p.m. on the day of the performance or in the Koger Center lobby immediately prior to the performance.

TIP: Save internet fees by buying In person at the Koger Box Office, corner of Greene and Park Streets (M-F 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

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2023-24 Season Sponsors

 

 

 

 

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Support the USC Symphony Orchestra 

When you give to the USC Symphony Orchestra, you directly impact our students by providing scholarships, music, masterclasses and guest artists. Make your donation today!

Sponsor a Concert, Orchestral Work or Guest Artist

Patrons and businesses can support the USC Symphony Orchestra by sponsoring a 2023-2024 concert, an orchestral work or a guest artist. Benefits include recognition from the stage, in the printed program and on the School of Music website. See opportunities and benefits below.

Individual Performance Sponsorship Opportunities

Expand allSponsor a Concert $5,000

Benefits:

• Name of business and logo or individual name printed in program as Concert Presenting Sponsor
• Name of business and logo or individual name on website as Concert Presenting Sponsor
• 12 tickets to the sponsored concert
• Exclusive access to listen to the dress rehearsal the night before the performance

Sponsor an Orchestral Work $500-$3,000

Large-scale Symphonic Work $3,000
Concerto $1,500
Overture $500

Benefits:

• Name of business and logo or individual name printed in program as Orchestral Work Sponsor
• Name of business and logo or individual name on website as Orchestral Work Sponsor
• Up to 8 tickets (depending on sponsorship level) to the concert that features the work you or your business sponsors
• Exclusive access to listen to dress rehearsal the night before the performance

Sponsor a Guest Artist $3,500

Benefits

• Name of business and logo or individual name printed in program as Guest Artist Sponsor
• Name of business and logo or individual name on website as Guest Artist Sponsor
• 10 tickets to the Guest Artist concert
• Exclusive access to listen to dress rehearsal the night before the performance

Season Sponsorship Opportunities

Expand allMaestro Level $10,000

Benefits 

• Business name and logo or individual name featured prominently in printed and digital programs and on USC Symphony Orchestra website for the entire season
• Unlimited USC Symphony Orchestra concert tickets available for individual or business employees and family members throughout the season
• Business name and logo or individual name placed on Koger Center lobby signage
• Opportunity for individual and three friends or family members or up to four employees to come to one rehearsal and “sit in” with any orchestra section and listen as an honorary second chair member

Concertmaster Level $5,000

Benefits

• Business name and logo or individual name in printed program and on USC Symphony Orchestra website for the entire season
• 10 tickets to the concert(s) of your choice available to individual or employees and family members
• Business name and logo or individual name placed on Koger Center lobby signage

Principal Level $2,500

Benefits 

• Business name and logo or individual name in program and on USC Symphony Orchestra website for the entire season
• Four tickets to the concert(s) of your choice available to individual or employees and family members
• Business name and logo or individual name placed on Koger Center lobby signage

For more information, contact Brad Martin via email or 803-777-0704.

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Contact Us

Phone: 803-251-2222
Email: uscorchestra@mozart.sc.edu

Scott Weiss, conductor
Neil Casey, assistant conductor