2023-2024 Season
The University of South Carolina Symphony Orchestra's 2023-2024 season opens on Thursday, September 28 with Gershwin's musical portrait of early-20th-century New York City, Rhapsody in Blue. Now a widely recognized piece, the jazz-infused composition is a fusion of classical and free-form structured music. The concert also features Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 and Adolphus Hailstork's Song of the Magi; joining the symphony orchestra are School of Music faculty Nicholas Susi on piano and Hassan Anderson on oboe. Conducted by Scott Weiss.
Music of the Americas is the theme for the ensemble's Thursday, November 2 concert. Conducted by Scott Weiss, special guest artists include twice Grammy-nominated guitarist Mak Grgić and soprano Diana Thompson-Brewer. The program includes works from composers from all corners of the Americas including Brooklyn-born composer and flautist Jennifer Higdon's Blue Cathedral; Samuel Barber's Knoxville, Summer of 1915; Argentinean composer Alberto Ginastera's Four Dances from “Estancia” and Mexican composer Silvestre Revueltas' Sensemayá. Mak Grgić performs Michael Abel's Borders, a piece commissioned by ROCO & Quad City Symphony and Grgić. Many of the works are inspired by personal stories. The beginning of Abels’ guitar concerto introduces an idea of a refugee journey inspired by the escape of Grgić's family and friends from the Bosnian war in the 1990s, and Higdon used the sudden death by her little brother as a experience of catharsis to write Blue Cathedral.
First prize winner of the 2016 Young Concert Artists, Xavier Foley headlines the Tuesday, December 5 concert with Soul Bass. A native of Marietta, GA, Foley is known for communicating his virtuosity and passion for music on the double bass, which is rarely presented as a solo instrument. The December program also features Concert Overture No. 2 by trailblazing composer Florence Price and Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet, Suite No. 2.
From sweet, lilting notes to explosive power, experience a spectacle of sound with USC Symphony Orchestra's Tuesday, February 6 program titled The Lark Ascending. Inspired by English poet George Meredith's 122 line poem of the song of the skylark, Vaughan Williams' joyful and flitting The Lark Ascending features violinist Lun Li as the voice of the skylark. Tension builds with another winged creature: a fighter plane. Film score composer William Walton's dramatic Spitfire Prelude and Fugue is an explosive orchestral march and fugue musically describing the fighter plane's power and nimbleness. Thea Musgrave's lighthearted Loch Ness brings playfulness back to the concert hall. The role of this fabled monster is played by none other than the tuba! Haydn's Symphony No. 104 “London” rounds out the evening. Conducted by Scott Weiss.
Rising Stars, featuring winners of the 2023-24 Concerta-Aria Competition, returns Tuesday, March 19.
Brahms Requiem, a luscious, heartfelt composition of life, love and loss is the season finale Thursday, April 18. Choral conductor Alicia W. Walker leads an all-star ensemble featuring the USC Symphony Orchestra; Rebecca Krynski Cox, soprano; Joseph Parrish, bass-baritone; the USC Concert Choir and University Chorus. A must-hear event!
Click here for dates and additional details or download the brochure of the season.
The 2023-2024 Season is on sale now!
Season subscriptions
Save with a season subscription (6 concerts) and enjoy the best seats in the house:
$150.
Season discounts: $110 senior citizen / military / USC faculty and staff; $45 students.
Current subscribers may renew their subscriptions in person or online now.
Concert tickets
Purchase online at kogercenterforthearts.com.
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 - must be picked up from the Koger Box Office (corner of Park and Greene) before 5:00 p.m. on the day of the performance or in the Koger Center lobby immediately prior to the performance.
TIP: Save internet fees by buying In person at the Koger Box Office, corner of Greene and Park Streets (M-F 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
2023-24 Season Sponsors
Support the USC Symphony Orchestra
When you give to the USC Symphony Orchestra, you directly impact our students by providing scholarships, music, masterclasses and guest artists. Make your donation today!
Sponsor a Concert, Orchestral Work or Guest Artist
Patrons and businesses can support the USC Symphony Orchestra by sponsoring a 2023-2024 concert, an orchestral work or a guest artist. Benefits include recognition from the stage, in the printed program and on the School of Music website. See opportunities and benefits below.
Individual Performance Sponsorship Opportunities
Benefits:
- Name of business and logo or individual name printed in program as Concert Presenting Sponsor
- Name of business and logo or individual name on website as Concert Presenting Sponsor
- 12 tickets to the sponsored concert
- Exclusive access to listen to the dress rehearsal the night before the performance
Large-scale Symphonic Work $3,000
Concerto $1,500
Overture $500
Benefits:
- Name of business and logo or individual name printed in program as Orchestral Work Sponsor
- Name of business and logo or individual name on website as Orchestral Work Sponsor
- Up to 8 tickets (depending on sponsorship level) to the concert that features the work you or your business sponsors
- Exclusive access to listen to dress rehearsal the night before the performance
Benefits
- Name of business and logo or individual name printed in program as Guest Artist Sponsor
- Name of business and logo or individual name on website as Guest Artist Sponsor
- 10 tickets to the Guest Artist concert
- Exclusive access to listen to dress rehearsal the night before the performance
Season Sponsorship Opportunities
Benefits
- Business name and logo or individual name featured prominently in printed and digital programs and on USC Symphony Orchestra website for the entire season
- Unlimited USC Symphony Orchestra concert tickets available for individual or business employees and family members throughout the season
- Business name and logo or individual name placed on Koger Center lobby signage
- Opportunity for individual and three friends or family members or up to four employees to come to one rehearsal and “sit in” with any orchestra section and listen as an honorary second chair member
Benefits
- Business name and logo or individual name in printed program and on USC Symphony Orchestra website for the entire season
- 10 tickets to the concert(s) of your choice available to individual or employees and family members
- Business name and logo or individual name placed on Koger Center lobby signage
Benefits
- Business name and logo or individual name in program and on USC Symphony Orchestra website for the entire season
- Four tickets to the concert(s) of your choice available to individual or employees and family members
- Business name and logo or individual name placed on Koger Center lobby signage
For more information, contact Brad Martin via email or 803-777-0704.
Contact Us
Phone: 803-251-2222
Email: uscorchestra@mozart.sc.edu
Scott Weiss, conductor
Neil Casey, assistant conductor
Upcoming Events
USC Symphony Orchestra: Rhapsody in Blue
Thursday, Sep. 28, 2023
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 - must be picked up from the Koger Box Office (corner of Park and Greene) before 5:00 p.m. on the day of the performance or in the Koger Center lobby immediately prior to the performance.
USC Symphony Orchestra: Music of the Americas
Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023
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 - must be picked up from the Koger Box Office (corner of Park and Greene) before 5:00 p.m. on the day of the performance or in the Koger Center lobby immediately prior to the performance.
USC Symphony Orchestra: Soul Bass
Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023
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 - must be picked up from the Koger Box Office (corner of Park and Greene) before 5:00 p.m. on the day of the performance or in the Koger Center lobby immediately prior to the performance.
USC Campus Orchestra Concert
Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023
Location: Darla Moore School of Business 101 - Johnson Performance Hall
Cost: Free
Lun Li Guest Artist Violin Masterclass
Monday, Feb. 5, 2024
Location: School of Music 206 Recital Hall
Cost: FREE