SUMMER MUSIC CAMP
June 22 - June 27, 2008

Drum Major, Marching Percussion, Symphonic Band and Symphonic Percussion.

The University of South Carolina Summer Music Camp was started in the early 70's by then Director of Bands Tom O'Neal. The camp was then taken over by Mr. James Copenhaver in 1976 when he became the Director of Bands and the program has thrived under his leadership ever since. Today the camp boasts an average enrollment of 400 to 500 students each summer from across the Eastern United States. The Summer Music Camp is open to rising 7th grade students through 12th grade. For more information about The University of South Carolina Summer Music Camp, please contact the USC School of Music Band Office at (803)777-4278 or email USCBands@mozart.sc.edu.

A copy of the 2008 Band Camp Application is available for download here. To submit, print the application, complete by hand, and mail (with your $100 deposit) to:

USC Band Camp
813 Assembly Street
Columbia, SC, 29208

GOVERNOR'S ALL-STAR BAND
November 30, 2008

The 42nd Annual Governor's Carolighting Ceremony will be held at 6:00 PM on Sunday, November 30, 2008 at the State House.

The All-Star Band is comprised of a group of top-caliber student musicians in grades 10-12 who have been nominated for participation by their high school band director. Participants have also been a member of the South Carolina All-State or Region Band at the senior or clinic level.

The Governor’s All-Star Band will assemble at 2:00 PM on Sunday, November 30, 2008, for a rehearsal in Room 016 in the USC School of Music Building, 813 Assembly Street, Columbia.  All-Star Band members will dress in their school marching band uniform for the performance (no hats).  The All-Star Band will walk from the USC Music Building to The State House for the pre-ceremony music beginning at 5:30 PM and for the ceremony itself, which begins at 6:00 PM. All-Star Band members will be able to begin travel home at approximately 7:30 PM.

The Honorable Governor Mark Sanford will speak during the ceremony and will light the State Christmas Tree.  The All-Star Band performs special musical selections prior to and during the program in addition to accompanying a large assembled chorus and the audience in the singing of Christmas carols.  The ceremony attracts an audience of over 7,000 people and will be televised live on the PBS network in South Carolina.  Participating students will receive an All-Star Band decal and a certificate signed by Governor Sanford in recognition for being a participant in this prestigious group of student musicians.

USC BAND CLINIC
February 19 - 22, 2009

The 31st Annual Band Clinic will be held February 14-17, 2008 at the University of South Carolina School of Music.

"It (the Band Clinic) is our chief recruiting vehicle for the School of Music's band ensembles," Jim Copenhaver, director of bands, said. "The participants visit campus, meet and interact with USC School of Music faculty and students while sharpening their musical skills with some of the nation's top clinicians."

To be selected, students must be nominated by their school band directors. Most of the nominated students are either all-state and all-region band members and perform with youth symphonies and study privately. Once selected by USC, students will audition the first day of the clinic to be seated in one of four ensembles. The top performers will be placed in the clinic's honor band.

This year's talent comprises 500 students from eight states and representing more than 100 high schools. Students will learn from USC band faculty and attend master classes taught by guest band clinicians, who are among the nation's finest. Guest conductors for the 2008 Band Clinic include John Whitwell (Michigan State University), Stephen Gage (Youngstown State University), Michael Golemo (Iowa State University) and David Willson (University of Mississippi). Students will attend concerts and, on the final day, Sunday, Feb. 17, they will perform with their respective ensemble at 2 PM at the Koger Center.