The School of Music brass studies area provides its students with excellent training and the necessary expertise for a successful career in music.
As a School of Music student of brass, you’ll benefit from our faculty's experience in almost every aspect of music from education to performing with symphony orchestras and premier military bands, from research to composing, publishing and recording music.
Our graduates have gone on to notable achievements in all of the areas. Find out more about our degree offerings: Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, Doctor of Musical Arts.
Our varied performance opportunities include: Trumpet Ensemble, The Carolina Trombone Collective, brass quintets and other chamber music.
Ronald Davis is principal tubist with the South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra and coordinates USC’s brass teaching division. Davis joined USC’s faculty in 1985 and was a founding member of The Tubadours, the first professional tuba quartet to play at Disneyland.
Hailed in jazz circles as “a standout soloist with the power, range and flexibility to rival Freddie Hubbard and Woody Shaw,” (DownBeat Magazine, 2014) and in classical as “among the very best trumpet soloists in the world today,” (Journal of the International Trumpet Guild, 2011) and “One of the finest virtuosos of our time,” (Brass Herald, 2018) Yamaha Performing Artist Rex Richardson was named the 2008 Brass Herald International Personality of the Year.
JD Shaw was formerly the French hornist with the internationally acclaimed Boston Brass where he was creative director, music arranger and co-owner of the ensemble. He is an active solo artist and travels extensively throughout the United States as well as many countries in North America, Europe and Asia.
Trumpeter, Composer, Educator, and technologist Dr. Matthew White is Associate Professor, Chair of Jazz Studies, and Director of CSAM at the University of South Carolina School of Music. He holds degrees from the University of North Florida and The University of Miami and has appeared on numerous albums, radio broadcasts, and television shows, performing and composing music for artists as varied as: Rihanna, Becca Stevens, The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Victor Wooten, Steve Bailey, Oscar DeLeon, Duranice Pace, Charlie Peacock, the Czech Republic Arts Ministry, and Jeff Coffin, in addition to various other artists, ensembles, symphonies, and big bands.
Michael Wilkinson is a versatile music educator and musician who doubles on tenor and bass trombone (as well as alto, contrabass and euphonium) and taught middle school band in Arizona in his “past life.” Equally at home in varied musical styles, he has played with the South Carolina Philharmonic and the Brass Band of Central Florida, as well as being a member of the newly-formed South Carolina Jazz Masterworks Ensemble. Michael released his first solo CD, “Wait for Me!” on Random Act Records in 2017 and is an S.E. Shires Trombone Artist.
Friday, Mar. 28, 2025
Location: School of Music 206 Recital Hall
Cost: FREE
Monday, Mar. 31, 2025
Location: School of Music 206 Recital Hall
Cost: FREE
Wednesday, Apr. 2, 2025
Location: School of Music 206 Recital Hall
Cost: FREE
Monday, Apr. 14, 2025
Location: Koger Center Auditorium, See Description for Event Location.
Cost: FREE
Tuesday, Apr. 22, 2025
Location: Koger Center Auditorium, See Description for Event Location.
Cost: 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