The USC Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Cormac Cannon, is the premier wind band at the University of South Carolina. Passionately committed to new music, the ensemble has premiered works by numerous composers, including Omar Thomas, Han Lash, Jennifer Higdon, Nico Muhly, Jennifer Jolley, Joel Puckett, John Fitz Rogers, David Kirkland Garner, David Dzubay, Joseph Turrin, Steven Bryant and John Mackey, among others. In addition, the ensemble embraces the standard wind band repertoire, including works by Paul Hindemith, Arnold Schoenberg, Aaron Copland, Karel Husa, Percy Grainger, Gustav Holst and many others. Members of the USC regularly interact with many of today’s most prominent composers. Recent residencies have included Joel Puckett, Omar Thomas, Augusta Read Thomas, Steven Bryant, Erik Santos and Viet Cuong.
Throughout its history, the ensemble has been recognized with performances at state, regional, and national conferences, including performances at the 2022, 2017 and 2012 South Carolina Music Educators Association Conference, 2014 American Bandmasters Association National Conference (Montgomery, AL) and the 2013 and 2023 College Band Directors National Association National Conference. In addition, in 2012 the ensemble toured China performing seven sold-out concerts in six cities, including a standing-room-only performance at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing that was televised throughout China.
How to Join
Membership in the USC Wind Ensemble is open to all students on campus regardless of major or classification. Placement into the ensemble is determined by blind audition each semester. Auditions include scales, prepared pieces and sight-reading. Materials are posted online prior to each audition.