Whether you’re in the music program and want to expand your performance experience, or you’re a nonmusic major looking to broaden your musical interests, the School of Music has countless opportunities to perform in a variety of ensembles.
As an ensemble member, you'll learn from some of the best faculty and guest artists and experience the thrill of performing both on and off campus. Some of our ensembles have opportunities for once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences. Being a part of a collaborative ensemble group, you'll gain valuable networking and mentoring opportunities and make friendships that can last a lifetime.
Committed to providing outstanding musical opportunities for students of all levels and abilities regardless of your major, USC Bands offers both concert ensembles and athletic band experiences. The Carolina Band performs for Gamecock fans each week and members are majors from virtually every school at the university.
Choral ensembles include the Concert Choir, University Chorus, Carolina Alive Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Graduate Vocal Ensemble, Gamecock Chorale and Garnet Chorale.
USC Symphony Orchestra, Campus Orchestra and Opera Orchestra offer unparalleled opportunities for students to work with some of the best music directors and guest artists.
Opera at USC presents two fully staged operas with orchestra each year and an evening of One-Act Operas, often with a graduate stage director. Roles are open to undergraduates and graduates.
Jazz ensemble participation is open to all USC students by audition, including nonmusic majors. Performance opportunities include playing with the Left Bank Big Band, Traditional Jazz Combos, The Jazz String Ensemble and Carolina Alive.
The USC Percussion Ensemble performs standard and cutting-edge percussion works. Palmetto Pans Steel Band performs music native to Trinidad and Tobago. Percussion Players, for underclassmen and nonmusic majors, is conducted, coached and run by graduate students from the Percussion Studio.
A chamber music ensemble gives you the experience and joy of collaborating with your peers under the guidance of our renowned faculty. There are opportunities for students of brass, piano, percussion, strings, voice and woodwinds.