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Performance: Music, B.M.

School of Music

With a strong emphasis on applying your music studies, this degree program provides excellent preparation for continued graduate studies and a performance or private teaching-oriented career in music.

A bachelor of music with an area of emphasis in performance provides an outstanding education along with rigorous training and performance experiences. Solo and ensemble participation begins with the second semester of the freshman year and culminates in a half-recital during the junior year and a full recital during the senior year.

Program Highlights

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    Interdisciplinary Studies

    Enjoy broadening your studies with courses around music entrepreneurship, audio recording, music industry and more.

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    Distinguished School

    Since 1969, the School of Music has consistently retained the distinctive National Association of Schools of Music accreditation.

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    Supportive Community

    Foster your creative learning, skill development and personal exploration through Spark: Music Leadership at Carolina.

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    Marketable Skills

    Learn new skills with concentrations available in entrepreneurship, chamber music or music technology.

What You’ll Study

Study education courses in communication, global citizenry, history, humanities, ethics and information literacy. Complete music courses in theory, history, aural skills and ensembles. A senior jury project is required in the non-recital semester of the senior year. The project will include high-quality audio and video recordings as well as an electronic press kit.

Building Skills

Gain the professional and personal intelligence it takes to have a successful career.

  • Performance

    Presenting oneself creatively through a specific medium to an audience

    Collaboration

    Working with others to achieve a common goal or objective

    Communication

    Exchanging information and ideas through speaking, writing or other means of expression

  • Listening Skills

    Understanding what others are saying to facilitate effective communication

    Attention to Detail

    Being meticulous and thorough in all aspects of a task or project

    Teamwork

    Working collaboratively with others to achieve a shared goal or objective

Using your degree

Make your college experience the foundation for a successful future.

Learn how alumni use degrees with outcome data from Gamecock GradStats, a service of the University of South Carolina Career Center.

Potential Careers

  • Private Teacher
  • Professional Performer

Job Titles of Alumni

  • Teacher
  • Marching Band Instructor
  • Director of Bands
  • Staff Singer
  • Organist
  • Youth Orchestra Manager

Average Alumni Salary

Five to 10 years after graduation without additional education $61,747

Workplace Settings

  • Arts
  • Education
  • Entertainment
  • Music

Employers of Alumni

  • South Carolina Philharmonic
  • International School of Music
  • MusicMasters
  • Sean Heely Music
  • Lexington County School District One

Advanced Degrees

Advance your career or options with post-graduate education.

The University of South Carolina School of Music provided me with unmatched support and encouragement as I began my journey toward a professional music career. I had opportunities to play with and learn from an incredible community of students and faculty members.

Jessica Stinson
Portrait of Jessica Stinson

Is USC Right For You?

There are many reasons we could be your ideal university. There's the award-winning academics, the globally modeled student life, and abundance of study abroad and experiential learning options. Take a closer look at what USC could mean for you.

Degree content is provided for informational purposes only. The Academic Bulletin is the source of record for all degree information.
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