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Music Performance, M.M.

School of Music

Take the next step to develop performance or private teaching-oriented career skills in your primary instrument or voice and prepare to enter a doctoral musical program.

Gain an outstanding education along with rigorous training and performance experiences. The degree is offered with emphasis areas in multiple woodwinds, winds (single brass or woodwind), classical guitar, organ, piano, percussion, strings and voice. A concentration in community engagement can be added to any focus area.

Program Highlights

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    Personal Attention

    Work with our extraordinary faculty, and enjoy the many opportunities to hear new compositions performed regularly.

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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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    Authentic Experiences

    The community engagement concentration is unique to USC and is nationally noteworthy.

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    Supportive Community

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

What You’ll Study

Work one-on-one with faculty instruction on your instrument or voice. Perform musical works representative of a wide array of styles in a manner commensurate with masters-degree level musicianship. Study theory and history, repertoire, notable composers and renowned pedagogues. Present one full recital and pass an oral comprehensive examination.

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

    Initiative

    Taking action and demonstrating leadership without being prompted or directed by others

    Attention to Detail

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

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

  • Enterpreneur
  • Performer
  • Educator

Job Titles of Alumni

  • Musician
  • Artistic Director
  • Band Director
  • Suzuki Violin and Viola Instructor
  • Adjunct Professor
  • Director of Instrumental Music

Average Alumni Salary

Five to 10 years after graduation without additional education $62,334

Workplace Settings

  • Music
  • Arts
  • Entertainment
  • Business

Employers of Alumni

  • Aiken Youth Orchestras
  • Lexington County School District One
  • University of South Carolina
  • Opera Carolina Experience
  • Charleston Academy Of Music
  • Cornell College

Advanced Degrees

Advance your career or options with post-graduate education.

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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