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Chamber Music Ensembles

If you have a passion for collaborative music making, there are many opportunities to join a chamber ensemble. Student chamber music performances are coached by School of Music faculty members who have themselves played great works in the repertory.

A chamber music ensemble gives you the experience and joy of collaborating with your peers under the guidance of our renowned faculty.

As a music major, you may sign up for chamber music ensembles as part of your degree requirements or, in some cases, as an elective. Some chamber ensembles require special permission. Several chamber music ensembles are available to students pursuing a music minor and nonmusic majors with special permission.

Assistantships that involve participation in one of several chamber music ensembles are available to students pursuing master's or doctoral degrees. These ensembles include: 

  • The Graduate String Quartet, which focuses on the standard quartet literature. 
  • The New Sounds String Quartet, which focuses on 20th and 21st century quartet literature. 
  • The FUSE Ensemble, a community-engagement-focused wind quintet.
  • The Collective, a collaborative, mixed-instrumental ensemble, dedicated to developing skills as artist-citizens through community and audience engagement. 

School of Music chamber ensembles

  • Brass
  • Keyboard
  • Percussion
  • Strings
  • Woodwinds
  • Mixed Piano-Winds-Strings

Chamber Music Residency

The award-winning Parker Quartet is the School of Music's Quartet-in-Residence, offering a series of public events, school outreach and special opportunities for USC string students each spring.

Hailed by the New York Times as “something extraordinary,” the Grammy Award-winning Parker Quartet has rapidly distinguished itself as one of the preeminent ensembles of its generation.

The residency is made possible by the support of donors and through the Jesselson Family Endowment Fund.

See the schedule of concerts, master classes, coaching and outreach programs


If you’re interested in chamber music ensembles, email Phillip Bush or call 803-777-5922.

Chamber Events

Chamber Music Night

Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024

Location: School of Music 206 Recital Hall

Cost: FREE

USC Graduate String Quartet Recital

Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024

Location: School of Music 206 Recital Hall

Cost: FREE

Boran Zhao Doctoral Piano Chamber Recital

Friday, Dec. 6, 2024

Location: School of Music 206 Recital Hall

Cost: FREE

Parker Quartet Performance

Thursday, Mar. 27, 2025

Location: School of Music 206 Recital Hall

Cost: $20 general admission/$5 students

USC Graduate String Quartet

Tuesday, Apr. 15, 2025

Location: School of Music 206 Recital Hall

Cost: FREE

View the Calendar

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