The University of South Carolina Marching Band provides entertainment and school spirit at countless South Carolina athletic events. Nearly 300 strong, the members of the band represent every college and major in the University. They take part and are leaders in an incredible variety of academic and extracurricular pursuits. Discipline, teamwork, dedication – all are lessons learned on the marching band field.
The Marching Band provides an environment to learn teamwork, time management, self discipline, and other important life-lessons that supplement those taught in the academic classroom. Its supporters are friends, alumni, and advocates of the University who recognize the value of the Marching Band experience and are essential to the program’s success.
Our three greatest needs include:
The students are the strength of the program –
without them, there would be no band. They are the
spirit that cheers Gamecock teams on to victory. Marching Band members will give over 200 hours of service during football season, in addition to their academic schedule! This makes it extremely
difficult to work part-time jobs to help pay for their education. Stipend/scholarship support for our students is one of our highest priorities. An endowed scholarship provides funding for a named award that can be presented annually to a member of the Carolina Band.
Instruments are the life-blood of the USC Marching Band; we can't exist without them. The Carolina Band supplies many of the instruments used by our members to ensure a uniform appearance and sound for the Band. The instruments owned by the Carolina Band are among the finest available, but after many years of service, they are in need of replacement. The process of replacing instruments one section at a time is almost a never-ending process, and there is always a critical need of funds for this purpose.
 Consider sponsoring an instrument. Your tax-deductible donation will fund the purchase of a new instrument for the marching band. The instrument's case will have a permanent brass plate attached with your name engraved for the life of the instrument. Parents or family members can purchase an instrument which can be used by their son or daughter during the years they play in the Band.
Here is what new instruments typically cost the Carolina Band:
| Piccolos |
$500 |
| Clarinets |
$500 |
| Alto Saxophones |
$800 |
| Tenor Saxophones |
$1,000 |
| Trumpets |
$500 |
| Horns |
$850 |
| Trombones |
$500 |
| Marching Baritone |
$1,200 |
| Sousaphone |
$6,500 |
| Percussion |
$500 - $2,500 |
Or, consider sponsoring an entire section of the band. For $5,000 a year, you can provide new instruments for many students. In appreciation for your generosity, you will receive an autographed photo of the section, and attend the home football of your choice as our special guest.
And if you're really serious about supporting the band, how about sponsoring a halftime show? You'll be our very special guest at the football game of your choice, enjoy halftime from the pressbox, and the band will honor you at the end of the show like no one has ever experienced at Williams-Brice!
The listing above provides suggestions for supporting the Marching Band. If you would like to explore additional opportunities such as sponsoring a half time show, please don't hesitate to contact the Band Office for more information.
As evidenced recently, the presence of the Carolina Band at away football games is of critical importance to the spirit and atmosphere of the event. Our fans love the band, and can't wait to hear the excitement the group brings with school songs, cheers and blood-pumping music! Traveling with such a large band takes incredible funding for buses, hotels and food, and additional funding in this area will help enhance special travel experiences (bowl games, etc.) for our members.
We encourage all friends and alumni of the Carolina Band to make an annual gift. Gifts of any amount are welcome and appreciated.
To make a gift, please contact Leslie Wrenn, Director of Development for the School of Music at 803-576-5897, or via email at lwrenn@mozart.sc.edu.
You can also make a gift using the University's online giving program by clicking here. |
