CILEM - Commnity Engagement

Community engagement continues to be an important part of life for School of Music faculty and students. The Community Music School @ USC is a primary hub of community activities and includes the Children's Music Development Center, Congaree New Horizons Band, the USC String Project, and individual instruction in piano, voice, and other instruments.

New efforts in community engagement include appearances of student chamber music groups at venues such as the Richland County public library, local public schools, and Newberry Opera house. In addition to performing, the students interact with the audience members in educational and fun programs. These programs give students the experience and confidence needed to carry out future musical endeavors.

Suzuki Students Perform at Richland County Public Library

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Led by assistant professor and Suzuki Strings director Rebecca Hunter, students of USC's Suzuki strings program presented a program at the downtown branch of the Richland County Public Library in February 2011. The program took place in the children's area of the library.

Richland County Library 1

Carolina Horn Quartet donates $1000 to Richland Northeast High School music program

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In the fall of 2009, School of Music students Paul and Patrick Clayton, Emily Schweickert and Andrew Fierova formed The Carolina Horn Quartet. However, the ensemble wanted to develop a mission beyond simply playing recitals and concerts. These Columbia natives felt a need to "give back" to their community - especially the high schools that nurtured their early musical training. This community-inspired mission was the seed for the Quartet's "Helping Horns" project.

The idea behind the project is to raise money for Columbia high school music programs. After performing a number of benefit concerts in the Columbia area during the spring and summer of 2010, they raised enough money to make a sizable donation. The problem, of course, was finding just the right school where the gift would have a significant and positive impact.

On September 1, 2010, co-founding Quartet member Patrick Clayton learned that the Richland Northeast High School had $8,000 of band instruments stolen the day before. Clearly this high school needed help replacing the instruments and the Quartet was ready.
After calling band director Adam Steele and Principal Ralph Schmidt, the Quartet agreed that Richland Northeast would be the first Midlands high school to receive a gift from the "Helping Horns" project.

Exactly one week after the break-in, the Carolina Horn Quartet presented a check for $1,000 to both Director Steele and Principal Schmidt. The students in the band were obviously excited - especially those whose instruments where stolen.

The Quartet is a great example of how the Carolina Institute for Leadership and Engagement in Music can help School of Music students achieve their goals. During the project's development, co-founder and then senior, Paul Clayton '10 met with Dr. Gary Beckman (CILEM Research Associate and Visiting Professor) almost weekly to plan and execute the "Helping Horns" project. By having an open door policy, students in the School of Music know that both CILEM and Dr. Beckman are ready, willing, and able to help students with their career goals.

April and May, 2010 Community engagement activities in Aiken county schools

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Three student chamber groups from USC, the graduate string quartet, Syzygy woodwind quintet, and a brass quintet each spent a day in Aiken county public schools performing and working with the students.

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October 24, 2009 Meet the Music Makers, 2:30 pm , Richland County Public Library

School of Music student chamber music groups presents a community program at the downtown branch of the public library.

The USC flute studio, led by Prof. Jennifer Parker-Harley, performs a program of French music at the Newberry Opera House. Prior to the concert, the flutists will be collaborating in local Newberry schools.

Community Engagement at USC