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David Sedaris
David Sedaris is the bestselling author of the books Calypso, Theft By Finding, Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls, Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk, When You Are Engulfed in Flames, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Holidays on Ice, Naked, and Barrel Fever. He is a regular contributor to The New Yorker and BBC Radio 4.
For more information please call 803-777-7500 or email kogercenter@sc.edu.
Tickets may be purchased in person at the box office, by phone at 803-251-2222 or online.
Buy Tickets.
Admission Cost: Tickets: $54-$66.
Monday, November 2, 2026, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
Koger Center for the Arts.
USC Percussion Ensemble Concert
The USC Percussion Ensemble welcomes marimba artist Mark Ford for its November performance in the Koger Center for the Arts Black Box. Ford, known worldwide for his solo performances and compositions, joins the ensemble for a program featuring his compositions alongside works by LaBozzetta, Tolles, Beck, Kilgore, Hall, Lo Presti, Estrada and Kilby.
Admission Cost: FREE.
Monday, November 2, 2026, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
See Description for Event Location.
Luise E. Peake Colloquium: The Experimental Music Workshop: Low Country: The Music of Philip Synder
Admission Cost: FREE.
Tuesday, November 3, 2026, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Noah Song Senior Trombone Recital
Admission Cost: FREE.
Wednesday, November 4, 2026, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Palmetto Pans Fall Performance
Enjoy the music native to Trinidad and Tobago, along with popular music, in the Koger Black Box!
Admission Cost: Free performance.
Wednesday, November 4, 2026, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
Koger Center Large Rehearsal Room 128, See Description for Event Location.
Ryan Johnson Doctoral Saxophone Recital
Admission Cost: FREE.
Wednesday, November 4, 2026, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Elizabeth Runion Student Flute Recital
Admission Cost: FREE.
Thursday, November 5, 2026, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Austin Engelhardt Doctoral Composition Recital
Admission Cost: FREE.
Thursday, November 5, 2026, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Luise E. Peake Colloquium: Emerging Pathways for Careers in the Music Industry
Location: Greene Street Church Sanctuary,
Presenters: Cherisse Williams,
Co-sponsors: SPARK: Music Industry Studies Area, SPARK: Music Leadership.
Admission Cost: FREE.
Friday, November 6, 2026, 1:10 PM – 2:00 PM.
See Description for Event Location.
Ariel Collins Doctoral Flute Recital
Admission Cost: FREE.
Friday, November 6, 2026, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Cody Raymes Doctoral Composition Recital
Admission Cost: FREE.
Friday, November 6, 2026, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Opera at USC presents Alcina
Opera at USC invites audiences into a world of magic, passion and transformation. George Frideric Handel’s Alcina tells the story of a powerful sorceress who lures men to her enchanted island, only to transform them into animals or objects when their romance fades.
Purchase tickets online or at the door. Please note that online sales end at 3:00 p.m. on opening day. Tickets are available at the door one hour before the show. No refunds. Adults: $25; Seniors, USC Faculty & Staff, Military: $20; Students with ID: $10,
Drayton Hall Theatre.
Admission Cost: Adults: $25; Seniors, USC Faculty & Staff, Military: $20; Students with ID: $10.
Friday, November 6, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM.
See Description for Event Location.
Opera at USC presents Alcina
Opera at USC invites audiences into a world of magic, passion and transformation. George Frideric Handel’s Alcina tells the story of a powerful sorceress who lures men to her enchanted island, only to transform them into animals or objects when their romance fades.
Purchase tickets online or at the door. Please note that online sales end at 3:00 p.m. on opening day. Tickets are available at the door one hour before the show. No refunds. Adults: $25; Seniors, USC Faculty & Staff, Military: $20; Students with ID: $10,
Drayton Hall Theatre.
Admission Cost: Adults: $25; Seniors, USC Faculty & Staff, Military: $20; Students with ID: $10.
Saturday, November 7, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM.
See Description for Event Location.
Opera at USC presents Alcina
Opera at USC invites audiences into a world of magic, passion and transformation. George Frideric Handel’s Alcina tells the story of a powerful sorceress who lures men to her enchanted island, only to transform them into animals or objects when their romance fades.
Purchase tickets online or at the door. Please note that online sales end at 3:00 p.m. on opening day. Tickets are available at the door one hour before the show. No refunds. Adults: $25; Seniors, USC Faculty & Staff, Military: $20; Students with ID: $10,
Drayton Hall Theatre.
Admission Cost: Adults: $25; Seniors, USC Faculty & Staff, Military: $20; Students with ID: $10.
Sunday, November 8, 2026, 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM.
See Description for Event Location.
Kailyn Abad and Katelyn Ewing Junior Voice Recital
Admission Cost: FREE.
Monday, November 9, 2026, 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Nathaniel Bowen Senior Percussion Recital
Admission Cost: FREE.
Monday, November 9, 2026, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Symphonic Winds: Visions 250
Jay Jacobs, conductor, Grant King, guest conductor,
Celebrating the United States Semi quincentennial, the USC Symphonic Winds presents a concert of American visions. Marie Douglas celebrates the vision of African American women band directors and conductor through Ascension. Experience the view of America through the lens of Ansel Adams in the music and accompanying film from composer Steve Danyew. The shaped-note tradition of 19th century hymns in America inspires Donald Grantham’s Star Spangled Heavens, and classic works by Aaron Copland and John Wiliams round out our concert and inspirational salute to 250 years.
Program: Douglas, Ascension, Copland, An Outdoor Overture, Danyew, This World Alive, Grantham, Star Spangled Heavens, Williams, The Cowboys.
Admission Cost: FREE.
Monday, November 9, 2026, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
Koger Center Auditorium, See Description for Event Location.
Chamber Music Night with USC Chamber Music Ensembles
Student chamber music ensembles of diverse instrumentation (typically including string quartets, piano trios, wind quintets and mixed instrument groups) perform chamber music from Baroque to contemporary.
Admission Cost: FREE.
Tuesday, November 10, 2026, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Carolina Alive Vocal Jazz Ensemble
LOCATION: Koger Grand Tier.
Admission Cost: FREE.
Wednesday, November 11, 2026, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
See Description for Event Location.
Steven Humphries Senior Violin Recital
Admission Cost: FREE.
Thursday, November 12, 2026, 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Ligeti Splits 4.0 Woodwind Quintet
Admission Cost: FREE.
Thursday, November 12, 2026, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
School of Music 006.
University Chorus concert
The USC University Chorus, under the direction of Dr. Evan Powers, presents their full length fall concert.
Shandon Presbyterian Church, 607 Woodrow Street, Columbia, SC 29205.
Admission Cost: FREE.
Thursday, November 12, 2026, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
See Description for Event Location.
Wenxin Xi Doctoral Violin Recital
Admission Cost: FREE.
Thursday, November 12, 2026, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
South Carolina Philharmonic: The Masters of Melody
Mozart: “Paris” Symphony, Torke: South, Respighi: The Birds, Prokofiev: Classical Symphony, , Description:
From the elegance of Mozart to the wit of Prokofiev, this vibrant program is a journey through style, color, and imagination. Along the way, music takes flight, landscapes come to life, and tradition is reinvented with playful brilliance. Light, energetic, and full of surprises, this is a concert that rewards curiosity and delights at every turn.
Subscribe today on the South Carolina Philharmonic website, or join the Koger Center newsletter to find out when individual shows go on sale!
For more information please call 803-777-7500 or email kogercenter@sc.edu.
Tickets may be purchased in person at the box office, by phone at 803-251-2222 or online.
Buy Tickets.
Admission Cost: Tickets: $23-$74.
Friday, November 13, 2026, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM.
Koger Center for the Arts.
Southern Exposure: Palmetto Saxophone Quartet
The Palmetto Saxophone Quartet will present a compelling program showcasing the remarkable breadth and vitality of contemporary music for saxophone quartet. Reflecting the ensemble’s commitment to championing new repertoire and innovative artistic voices, the concert features works by eight living composers, including the South Carolina premiere of a new composition, Dark, too, blooms and sings, by David Kirkland Garner. Audiences will experience a rich variety of compositional styles, from introspective lyricism and expressive textures to exhilarating rhythmic energy and virtuosic interplay. Through this diverse program, the Palmetto Saxophone Quartet highlights the saxophone quartet’s extraordinary versatility and expressive potential as a dynamic medium for contemporary artistic expression.
Program:
Amalgamation (2009) by Andy Akiho
Catch on Fire (2019) by Carlos Simon
Selections from Pagine (1998) by Salvatore Sciarrino
Squeeze (2007) by Augusta Read Thomas
Selections from Ciudades (2011) by…
Admission Cost: FREE.
Friday, November 13, 2026, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Freeman Parker Chamber Music Concert Series
The USC School of Music’s renowned music faculty performs fresh and vibrant chamber music programs that pair canonic masterpieces alongside brand new works.
Admission Cost: $25 adults. Free for USC School of Music students, faculty and staff.
Sunday, November 15, 2026, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Worth Lewallen Doctoral Violin Recital
Admission Cost: FREE.
Sunday, November 15, 2026, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Connor Bruce Senior Trumpet Recital
Admission Cost: FREE.
Sunday, November 15, 2026, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Sophia Dornellas Pantazopoulos Doctoral Voice Recital
Admission Cost: FREE.
Monday, November 16, 2026, 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Alana Brezenski Senior Voice Recital
Admission Cost: FREE.
Monday, November 16, 2026, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Margaret Moore Senior Violin Recital
Admission Cost: FREE.
Monday, November 16, 2026, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Paige Higgins Senior Voice Recital
Admission Cost: FREE.
Tuesday, November 17, 2026, 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Gamecock Chorale and Garnet Chorale Concert
Garnet Chorale and Gamecock Chorale come together to present a concert of music for treble and tenor/bass voices, respectively. This fall, Garnet Chorale will sing "Songs from the Natural World." Trees, the moon, stars, gardens, and the creative aspects of everyday life characterize the program. Similarly, Gamecock Chorale will present "Elements," featuring texts centered on elements including fire, water, wind, and light. Such elements appear in a wide variety of music on this program, music ranging from Medieval chant to '70s funk. These ensembles feature both students and community members - a joyous celebration of music making in the Columbia community!
Free and open to the public,
Shandon Presbyterian Church, 607 Woodrow Street, Columbia, SC 29205.
Admission Cost: Free.
Tuesday, November 17, 2026, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
See Description for Event Location.
University Band: We
Benjamin Pouncey, conductor, Featuring works by Brittin Chambers, Dello Joio, Thomas, Biedenbender, Sousa and Bernstein,
Join the University of South Carolina University Band for an evening of music in the Koger Center for the Arts. “We” is a celebration of the voices, traditions and musical styles that represent the story of America. Through works that reflect the richness and diversity of the American experience, this concert highlights the power of music to unite, inspire and remind us of the connections we share. From bold and energetic to reflective and heartfelt, the program showcases a vibrant tapestry of American composers and musical influences, offering something for every listener. All are invited to experience an evening that celebrates community, creativity and the enduring spirit of the music that brings us together.
Admission Cost: FREE.
Tuesday, November 17, 2026, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
Koger Center Auditorium, See Description for Event Location.
Craig Allen Faculty Voice Recital
Admission Cost: FREE.
Wednesday, November 18, 2026, 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Jessica Liang and Mercedes Rosa Junior Piano Recital
Ms. Liang will perform 6:00-6:30; Ms. Rosa will perform 6:30-7:00.
Admission Cost: FREE.
Wednesday, November 18, 2026, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Music Industry Studies Commercial Music Ensemble
Bring a lawn chair or blanket to the Koger Center Outdoor Stage for an exciting performance by the Music Industry Studies Commercial Music Ensembles. This free concert features original songs and crowd-favorite covers.
In the event of rain, the performance with be moved inside to the Koger Center Black Box.
Admission Cost: Free.
Wednesday, November 18, 2026, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
See Description for Event Location. Koger Center Plaza Stage.
USC Campus Orchestra Concert
Admission Cost: Free.
Wednesday, November 18, 2026, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
Darla Moore School of Business 101 - Johnson Performance Hall.
Xavier Galloway Junior Piano Recital
Admission Cost: FREE.
Wednesday, November 18, 2026, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Graduate Vocal Ensemble Performance
Admission Cost: FREE.
Thursday, November 19, 2026, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Guitar Ensemble Fall Showcase
The Guitar Ensemble Fall Showcase features an engaging program performed and produced by student guitarists. Join us in celebrating a semester of collaboration, creativity, and musical excellence.
Admission Cost: FREE.
Thursday, November 19, 2026, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Wind Ensemble: Rise
Cormac Cannon, conductor, Ryan Gonzales, guest conductor, Philip Bush, piano,
The USC Wind Ensemble takes flight! Emerging composer Noah Hudson-Camack’s exhilarating fanfare is contrasted with the haunting rising intervals of David Biedenbender’s Enigma. Adam Schoenberg’s Rise is a haunting an evocative journey, while Frank Ticheli’s new work Over the Moon is a joyous and imaginative trip into space. Faculty pianist Philip Bush takes center stage in Olivier Messiaen’s groundbreaking Oiseaux exotiques, based on bird calls from around the world.
Hudson-Camack, Fanfare and Flight, Biedenbender, Enigma Schoenberg, Rise Messiaen, Oiseaux exotiques Ticheli, Over the Moon .
Admission Cost: FREE.
Thursday, November 19, 2026, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
Koger Center for the Arts.
Aniyah Gordon and Peyton Kakouras Junior Voice Recital
Admission Cost: EE.
Friday, November 20, 2026, 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Sharon Wu Doctoral Piano Recital
Admission Cost: FREE.
Friday, November 20, 2026, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Bryson Grover Junior Double Bass Recital
Admission Cost: FREE.
Friday, November 20, 2026, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Palmetto Concert Band
Join the Palmetto Concert Band for “America 250,” featuring selections from Bremer, Ticheli, Copland and Stamp.
Admission Cost: FREE.
Sunday, November 22, 2026, 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM.
Koger Center Auditorium, See Description for Event Location.
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
The holiday tradition continues!
MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER CHRISTMAS by Chip Davis has been America’s favorite holiday tradition for over 40 years! Grammy Award winner Chip Davis has created a show that features Mannheim Steamroller Christmas classics in the distinctive Mannheim sound. The program includes 15 musicians playing more than 20 instruments against a backdrop of dazzling multimedia effects – capturing the spirit of the season in an immersive yet intimate setting.
For more information please call 803-777-7500 or email kogercenter@sc.edu.
Tickets may be purchased in person at the box office, by phone at 803-251-2222 or online.
Buy Tickets.
Admission Cost: Tickets: $24-$93.
Monday, November 23, 2026, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM.
Koger Center for the Arts.
Carolina LifeSong Initiative Recital
Students from the Carolina LifeSong Initiative perform and improvise in their end-of-semester recital. Free admission, family and sensory friendly.
Admission Cost: FREE.
Sunday, November 29, 2026, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Mingzi Hu Doctoral Piano Recital
Admission Cost: FREE.
Monday, November 30, 2026, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Paul Maxwell Doctoral Cello Recital
Admission Cost: FREE.
Tuesday, December 1, 2026, 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Musical Theatre Showcase
Admission Cost: FREE.
Tuesday, December 1, 2026, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
New Sounds Quartet Fall Concert
Admission Cost: FREE.
Wednesday, December 2, 2026, 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Ethan Lauth Senior Clarinet Recital
Admission Cost: FREE.
Wednesday, December 2, 2026, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Saxophone Ensembles Fall Performance
Admission Cost: FREE.
Wednesday, December 2, 2026, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Haven Kahn Graduate Saxophone Recital
Admission Cost: FREE.
Thursday, December 3, 2026, 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Abby Brewer and Tristan Robinson Senior Voice Recital
Admission Cost: FREE.
Thursday, December 3, 2026, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Nima Kolmohammadi Doctoral Guitar Recital
Admission Cost: FREE.
Thursday, December 3, 2026, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
USC Symphony Orchestra: Bernstein’s Jeremiah Symphony
The USC Symphony Orchestra presents a powerful evening of symphonic masterworks featuring mezzo-soprano Rachel Calloway in Leonard Bernstein’s Symphony No. 1, “Jeremiah.” Blending orchestral brilliance with a deeply moving vocal finale, Bernstein’s first symphony reflects themes of prophecy, loss, and hope.
The program opens with Dora Pejacevic’s Symphony in F-sharp Minor, a richly expressive work by the pioneering Croatian composer whose music is gaining renewed international recognition. Together, these compelling works offer an evening of passion, drama, and profound emotional depth.
Program
Dora Pejacevic – Symphony in F-sharp Minor
Bernstein – Symphony No. 1, “Jeremiah”
Tickets are available in-person at Koger Center Box Office (803-251-2222, Monday–Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or online at KogerCenterForTheArts.com.
Admission 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.
Thursday, December 3, 2026, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
Koger Center for the Arts, See Description for Event Location.
Miranda Ramirez Senior Cello Recital
Admission Cost: FREE.
Friday, December 4, 2026, 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
USC Graduate String Quartet Performance
Admission Cost: FREE.
Friday, December 4, 2026, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Holiday Garland Concert
This beloved community event features Concert Choir and University Chorus in a festive performance of music for the holiday season. The concert's theme is "The Turning of the Year." Composers from across the world and across time, including Vytautas Miškinis, Jonathan Dove, Cecilia McDowall, Tomás Luis de Victoria, Coreen Duffy, Herbert Howells, and Eriks Ešenvalds will be featured.
Ring in the holidays and say farewell to the year with the Choirs of Carolina!
Free and open to the public
Shandon United Methodist Church
3407 Devine Street
Columbia, SC 29205.
Admission Cost: FREE.
Friday, December 4, 2026, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
See Description for Event Location.
Shelby Miller Doctoral Flute Recital
Admission Cost: FREE.
Friday, December 4, 2026, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
The Nutcracker by Columbia Classical Ballet
Join in on Columbia Classical Ballet’s holiday tradition, their fantastic production of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker.”
For more information please call 803-777-7500 or email kogercenter@sc.edu.
Tickets may be purchased in person at the box office, by phone at 803-251-2222 or online.
Reserve Your Seats,
OR,
Buy General Admission Tickets.
Admission Cost: Tickets: $22-$49.
Friday, December 4, 2026, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM.
Koger Center for the Arts.
The Nutcracker by Columbia Classical Ballet
Join in on Columbia Classical Ballet’s holiday tradition, their fantastic production of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker.”
For more information please call 803-777-7500 or email kogercenter@sc.edu.
Tickets may be purchased in person at the box office, by phone at 803-251-2222 or online.
Reserve Your Seats,
OR,
Buy General Admission Tickets.
Admission Cost: Tickets: $22-$49.
Saturday, December 5, 2026, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
Koger Center for the Arts.
The Nutcracker by Columbia Classical Ballet
Join in on Columbia Classical Ballet’s holiday tradition, their fantastic production of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker.”
For more information please call 803-777-7500 or email kogercenter@sc.edu.
Tickets may be purchased in person at the box office, by phone at 803-251-2222 or online.
Reserve Your Seats,
OR,
Buy General Admission Tickets.
Admission Cost: Tickets: $22-$49.
Saturday, December 5, 2026, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM.
Koger Center for the Arts.
The Nutcracker by Columbia Classical Ballet
Join in on Columbia Classical Ballet’s holiday tradition, their fantastic production of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker.”
For more information please call 803-777-7500 or email kogercenter@sc.edu.
Tickets may be purchased in person at the box office, by phone at 803-251-2222 or online.
Reserve Your Seats,
OR,
Buy General Admission Tickets.
Admission Cost: Tickets: $22-$49.
Sunday, December 6, 2026, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
Koger Center for the Arts.
New Voices: Music by USC Student Composers
Admission Cost: FREE.
Sunday, December 6, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM.
Darla Moore School of Business 101 - Johnson Performance Hall.
Congaree New Horizons Program Concert 1
Admission Cost: FREE.
Tuesday, December 8, 2026, 5:00 PM – 10:30 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Congaree New Horizons Concert 2
Admission Cost: FREE.
Thursday, December 10, 2026, 4:00 PM – 9:30 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
South Carolina Ballet: William Starrett's Nutcracker
Live Orchestra Announced for Every South Carolina Ballet Nutcracker Performance at the Koger Center!
South Carolina Ballet (Columbia City Ballet) has announced that every 2026 performance of William Starrett’s Nutcracker at the Koger Center for the Arts, the company’s hometown stage in Columbia, SC, will feature live music by the South Carolina Ballet Orchestra.
Conducted by Scott Weiss, the orchestra will perform Tchaikovsky’s iconic Nutcracker score live at all six performances on December 12, 13, 19, and 20.
The addition of live orchestral music brings a new dimension to one of Columbia’s most established holiday traditions, pairing the professional dancers of South Carolina Ballet with the full sound of Tchaikovsky’s score at every matinee and evening performance.
Enhance Your Matinee with the Nutcracker Tea Party
Families attending a matinee performance can make their visit to the Koger Center even more memorable with South Carolina Ballet’s signature Nutcracker Tea Party.
Guests will enjoy…
Admission Cost: Tickets: $49-$81.
Saturday, December 12, 2026, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
Koger Center for the Arts.
South Carolina Ballet: William Starrett's Nutcracker
Live Orchestra Announced for Every South Carolina Ballet Nutcracker Performance at the Koger Center!
South Carolina Ballet (Columbia City Ballet) has announced that every 2026 performance of William Starrett’s Nutcracker at the Koger Center for the Arts, the company’s hometown stage in Columbia, SC, will feature live music by the South Carolina Ballet Orchestra.
Conducted by Scott Weiss, the orchestra will perform Tchaikovsky’s iconic Nutcracker score live at all six performances on December 12, 13, 19, and 20.
The addition of live orchestral music brings a new dimension to one of Columbia’s most established holiday traditions, pairing the professional dancers of South Carolina Ballet with the full sound of Tchaikovsky’s score at every matinee and evening performance.
Enhance Your Matinee with the Nutcracker Tea Party
Families attending a matinee performance can make their visit to the Koger Center even more memorable with South Carolina Ballet’s signature Nutcracker Tea Party.
Guests will enjoy…
Admission Cost: Tickets: $49-$81.
Saturday, December 12, 2026, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM.
Koger Center for the Arts.
South Carolina Ballet: William Starrett's Nutcracker
Live Orchestra Announced for Every South Carolina Ballet Nutcracker Performance at the Koger Center!
South Carolina Ballet (Columbia City Ballet) has announced that every 2026 performance of William Starrett’s Nutcracker at the Koger Center for the Arts, the company’s hometown stage in Columbia, SC, will feature live music by the South Carolina Ballet Orchestra.
Conducted by Scott Weiss, the orchestra will perform Tchaikovsky’s iconic Nutcracker score live at all six performances on December 12, 13, 19, and 20.
The addition of live orchestral music brings a new dimension to one of Columbia’s most established holiday traditions, pairing the professional dancers of South Carolina Ballet with the full sound of Tchaikovsky’s score at every matinee and evening performance.
Enhance Your Matinee with the Nutcracker Tea Party
Families attending a matinee performance can make their visit to the Koger Center even more memorable with South Carolina Ballet’s signature Nutcracker Tea Party.
Guests will enjoy…
Admission Cost: Tickets: $49-$81.
Sunday, December 13, 2026, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
Koger Center for the Arts.
Eliza: A Chamber Opera
Their market. Their city. Their legacy.
The Jonathan Green Maritime Cultural Center has commissioned an exciting new chamber opera, Eliza, premiering at the Koger Center Columbia on December 16, 2026. We’re bringing the little known story of the African Market Women who ran the Charleston City Market for over 200 years to the stage and their magnificence during the Revolutionary War!
For more information please call 803-777-7500 or email kogercenter@sc.edu.
Tickets may be purchased in person at the box office, by phone at 803-251-2222 or online.
Purchase Tickets.
Admission Cost: Tickets: $42-$163.
Wednesday, December 16, 2026, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM.
Koger Center for the Arts.
South Carolina Philharmonic: Home for the Holidays
Make this cherished tradition part of your season. Filled with festive favorites and heartwarming melodies, this concert captures the joy, nostalgia, and togetherness of the holidays. It’s a chance to pause, gather, and celebrate with music that feels like home. With just one performance, tickets become part of the tradition — secure yours early.
For more information please call 803-777-7500 or email kogercenter@sc.edu.
Tickets may be purchased in person at the box office, by phone at 803-251-2222 or online.
But Tickets.
Admission Cost: Tickets: $16.50-$69.
Thursday, December 17, 2026, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM.
Koger Center for the Arts.
GUMBO Experience Concert Series: Christmas Edition
The G.U.M.B.O Experience Concert Series: Christmas Edition is coming to the Koger Center on December 18!
NO TICKET PRICE, BUT WE STILL NEED YOU TO REGISTER — YOUR GIVEBACK IS YOUR ADMISSION!
Bring canned goods, nonperishable food items, and/or toys for entry as we come together to bless families in our community this Christmas!
For more information please call 803-777-7500 or email kogercenter@sc.edu.
Reserve your spot for this event via EventBrite.
Admission Cost: FREE.
Friday, December 18, 2026, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
Koger Center for the Arts.
South Carolina Ballet: William Starrett's Nutcracker
Live Orchestra Announced for Every South Carolina Ballet Nutcracker Performance at the Koger Center!
South Carolina Ballet (Columbia City Ballet) has announced that every 2026 performance of William Starrett’s Nutcracker at the Koger Center for the Arts, the company’s hometown stage in Columbia, SC, will feature live music by the South Carolina Ballet Orchestra.
Conducted by Scott Weiss, the orchestra will perform Tchaikovsky’s iconic Nutcracker score live at all six performances on December 12, 13, 19, and 20.
The addition of live orchestral music brings a new dimension to one of Columbia’s most established holiday traditions, pairing the professional dancers of South Carolina Ballet with the full sound of Tchaikovsky’s score at every matinee and evening performance.
Enhance Your Matinee with the Nutcracker Tea Party
Families attending a matinee performance can make their visit to the Koger Center even more memorable with South Carolina Ballet’s signature Nutcracker Tea Party.
Guests will enjoy…
Admission Cost: Tickets: $49-$81.
Saturday, December 19, 2026, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
Koger Center for the Arts.
South Carolina Ballet: William Starrett's Nutcracker
Live Orchestra Announced for Every South Carolina Ballet Nutcracker Performance at the Koger Center!
South Carolina Ballet (Columbia City Ballet) has announced that every 2026 performance of William Starrett’s Nutcracker at the Koger Center for the Arts, the company’s hometown stage in Columbia, SC, will feature live music by the South Carolina Ballet Orchestra.
Conducted by Scott Weiss, the orchestra will perform Tchaikovsky’s iconic Nutcracker score live at all six performances on December 12, 13, 19, and 20.
The addition of live orchestral music brings a new dimension to one of Columbia’s most established holiday traditions, pairing the professional dancers of South Carolina Ballet with the full sound of Tchaikovsky’s score at every matinee and evening performance.
Enhance Your Matinee with the Nutcracker Tea Party
Families attending a matinee performance can make their visit to the Koger Center even more memorable with South Carolina Ballet’s signature Nutcracker Tea Party.
Guests will enjoy…
Admission Cost: Tickets: $49-$81.
Saturday, December 19, 2026, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM.
Koger Center for the Arts.
South Carolina Ballet: William Starrett's Nutcracker
Live Orchestra Announced for Every South Carolina Ballet Nutcracker Performance at the Koger Center!
South Carolina Ballet (Columbia City Ballet) has announced that every 2026 performance of William Starrett’s Nutcracker at the Koger Center for the Arts, the company’s hometown stage in Columbia, SC, will feature live music by the South Carolina Ballet Orchestra.
Conducted by Scott Weiss, the orchestra will perform Tchaikovsky’s iconic Nutcracker score live at all six performances on December 12, 13, 19, and 20.
The addition of live orchestral music brings a new dimension to one of Columbia’s most established holiday traditions, pairing the professional dancers of South Carolina Ballet with the full sound of Tchaikovsky’s score at every matinee and evening performance.
Enhance Your Matinee with the Nutcracker Tea Party
Families attending a matinee performance can make their visit to the Koger Center even more memorable with South Carolina Ballet’s signature Nutcracker Tea Party.
Guests will enjoy…
Admission Cost: Tickets: $49-$81.
Sunday, December 20, 2026, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
Koger Center for the Arts.
Live in the Lobby Jazz: Eve of the Eve
Due to the popularity and demand of our annual holiday show collaboration with ColaJazz, in 2026 we are offering two performances of Eve of the Eve! Join us on either December 22 or 23 to continue (or start) a cherished local holiday tradition!
About ColaJazz
The ColaJazz Foundation is dedicated to growing, supporting and promoting jazz in the Midlands through events, education, recordings, resources and advocacy in order to create a thriving culturally rich community.
We aim to be the driving beat in jazz education, performance and outreach providing opportunities for all from the musician to the student to the audience. We strive to serve our community, create cultural enrichment and make our capital city a premiere jazz destination in the southeast.
For more information please call 803-777-7500 or email kogercenter@sc.edu.
Tickets may be purchased in person at the box office, by phone at 803-251-2222 or online.
But Tickets.
Admission Cost: Tickets: $39-$44.
Tuesday, December 22, 2026, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM.
Koger Center for the Arts.
Live in the Lobby Jazz: Eve of the Eve
Due to the popularity and demand of our annual holiday show collaboration with ColaJazz, in 2026 we are offering two performances of Eve of the Eve! Join us on either December 22 or 23 to continue (or start) a cherished local holiday tradition!
About ColaJazz
The ColaJazz Foundation is dedicated to growing, supporting and promoting jazz in the Midlands through events, education, recordings, resources and advocacy in order to create a thriving culturally rich community.
We aim to be the driving beat in jazz education, performance and outreach providing opportunities for all from the musician to the student to the audience. We strive to serve our community, create cultural enrichment and make our capital city a premiere jazz destination in the southeast.
For more information please call 803-777-7500 or email kogercenter@sc.edu.
Tickets may be purchased in person at the box office, by phone at 803-251-2222 or online.
But Tickets.
Admission Cost: Tickets: $39-$44.
Wednesday, December 23, 2026, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM.
Koger Center for the Arts.
South Carolina Philharmonic: Beethoven (250) & Blue Jeans
Guest Artist: Zuill Bailey, cello,
Program Overview: Beethoven: Leonore Overture No. 3, Visions of Humanity and Unity (America 250 Consortium), Composers: Chanda Dancy-Morizawa, Mark O’Connor, Avner Dorman, Zhou Tian, Enrico Chapela, Beethoven: Symphony No. 4, Description:
Celebrate Beethoven’s legacy on the 250th anniversary of his death in a program that bridges past and present. From the heroic Leonore Overture No. 3 to his playful Symphony No. 4 – you’ll experience Beethoven’s wide range of musical colors.
At the center of this concert is Visions of Humanity and Unity, a new work by composers Chanda Dancy-Morizawa, Mark O’Connor, Avner Dorman, Zhou Tian, and Enrico Chapela, commissioned for the nationwide America 250 initiative and performed by orchestras throughout the United States.
Subscribe to the South Carolina Philharmonic this season to get tickets, or join the Koger Center’s e-newsletter to receive information about single tickets when they go on sale!
For more information please…
Admission Cost: Tickets: $16-$83.
Saturday, January 9, 2027, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM.
Koger Center for the Arts.
Hannah Creviston & Shir Ami
Admission Cost: FREE.
Thursday, January 14, 2027, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
A Beautiful Noise: The Niel Diamond Musical
Created in collaboration with Neil Diamond himself, A BEAUTIFUL NOISE is the uplifting true story of how a kid from Brooklyn became a chart-busting, show-stopping American rock icon. With 120 million albums sold, a catalogue of classics like “America,” “Forever in Blue Jeans,” and “Sweet Caroline,” an induction into the Songwriters and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame, a Grammy® Lifetime Achievement Award, and sold-out concerts around the world that made him bigger than Elvis, Neil Diamond’s story was made to shine on Broadway-and head out on the road across America.
Like Jersey Boys and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical before it, A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL is an inspiring, exhilarating, energy-filled musical memoir, that tells the untold true story of how America’s greatest hitmaker became a star, set to the songs that defined his career.
For more information please call 803-777-7500 or email kogercenter@sc.edu.
Tickets may be purchased in person at the box office, by phone at…
Admission Cost: Tickets: $24.50-$83.
Friday, January 15, 2027, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM.
Koger Center for the Arts.
A Beautiful Noise: The Niel Diamond Musical
Created in collaboration with Neil Diamond himself, A BEAUTIFUL NOISE is the uplifting true story of how a kid from Brooklyn became a chart-busting, show-stopping American rock icon. With 120 million albums sold, a catalogue of classics like “America,” “Forever in Blue Jeans,” and “Sweet Caroline,” an induction into the Songwriters and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame, a Grammy® Lifetime Achievement Award, and sold-out concerts around the world that made him bigger than Elvis, Neil Diamond’s story was made to shine on Broadway-and head out on the road across America.
Like Jersey Boys and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical before it, A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL is an inspiring, exhilarating, energy-filled musical memoir, that tells the untold true story of how America’s greatest hitmaker became a star, set to the songs that defined his career.
For more information please call 803-777-7500 or email kogercenter@sc.edu.
Tickets may be purchased in person at the box office, by phone at…
Admission Cost: Tickets: $24.50-$83.
Saturday, January 16, 2027, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
Koger Center for the Arts.
A Beautiful Noise: The Niel Diamond Musical
Created in collaboration with Neil Diamond himself, A BEAUTIFUL NOISE is the uplifting true story of how a kid from Brooklyn became a chart-busting, show-stopping American rock icon. With 120 million albums sold, a catalogue of classics like “America,” “Forever in Blue Jeans,” and “Sweet Caroline,” an induction into the Songwriters and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame, a Grammy® Lifetime Achievement Award, and sold-out concerts around the world that made him bigger than Elvis, Neil Diamond’s story was made to shine on Broadway-and head out on the road across America.
Like Jersey Boys and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical before it, A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL is an inspiring, exhilarating, energy-filled musical memoir, that tells the untold true story of how America’s greatest hitmaker became a star, set to the songs that defined his career.
For more information please call 803-777-7500 or email kogercenter@sc.edu.
Tickets may be purchased in person at the box office, by phone at…
Admission Cost: Tickets: $24.50-$83.
Saturday, January 16, 2027, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM.
Koger Center for the Arts.
A Beautiful Noise: The Niel Diamond Musical
Created in collaboration with Neil Diamond himself, A BEAUTIFUL NOISE is the uplifting true story of how a kid from Brooklyn became a chart-busting, show-stopping American rock icon. With 120 million albums sold, a catalogue of classics like “America,” “Forever in Blue Jeans,” and “Sweet Caroline,” an induction into the Songwriters and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame, a Grammy® Lifetime Achievement Award, and sold-out concerts around the world that made him bigger than Elvis, Neil Diamond’s story was made to shine on Broadway-and head out on the road across America.
Like Jersey Boys and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical before it, A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL is an inspiring, exhilarating, energy-filled musical memoir, that tells the untold true story of how America’s greatest hitmaker became a star, set to the songs that defined his career.
For more information please call 803-777-7500 or email kogercenter@sc.edu.
Tickets may be purchased in person at the box office, by phone at…
Admission Cost: Tickets: $24.50-$83.
Sunday, January 17, 2027, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
Koger Center for the Arts.
Charles Fugo Faculty Piano Recital
Admission Cost: FREE.
Sunday, January 17, 2027, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
A Beautiful Noise: The Niel Diamond Musical
Created in collaboration with Neil Diamond himself, A BEAUTIFUL NOISE is the uplifting true story of how a kid from Brooklyn became a chart-busting, show-stopping American rock icon. With 120 million albums sold, a catalogue of classics like “America,” “Forever in Blue Jeans,” and “Sweet Caroline,” an induction into the Songwriters and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame, a Grammy® Lifetime Achievement Award, and sold-out concerts around the world that made him bigger than Elvis, Neil Diamond’s story was made to shine on Broadway-and head out on the road across America.
Like Jersey Boys and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical before it, A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL is an inspiring, exhilarating, energy-filled musical memoir, that tells the untold true story of how America’s greatest hitmaker became a star, set to the songs that defined his career.
For more information please call 803-777-7500 or email kogercenter@sc.edu.
Tickets may be purchased in person at the box office, by phone at…
Admission Cost: Tickets: $24.50-$83.
Sunday, January 17, 2027, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
Koger Center for the Arts.
The Palmetto Opera: Don Giovanni
Join The Palmetto Opera at the Koger Center for a special matinee performance of Mozart’s electrifying masterpiece, Don Giovanni. The Palmetto Opera will present a full-scale production of this legendary opera for one performance only. Featuring Teatro Lirico d’Europa and an internationally renowned cast, this thrilling afternoon of opera brings Mozart’s genius vividly to life.
Set in 17th century Spain, Don Giovanni tells the story of the infamous libertine whose relentless pursuit of pleasure leaves a trail of betrayal, heartbreak, and vengeance. As Don Giovanni’s reckless seductions collide with the forces of justice, the opera races toward a dramatic and unforgettable conclusion. Blending comedy, tragedy, romance, and the supernatural, Don Giovanni is widely regarded as one of the greatest operas ever written.
From lively ensembles and memorable arias to moments of profound moral reckoning, Mozart’s score is endlessly inventive and emotionally powerful. Beloved selections include the champagne aria…
Admission Cost: Tickets: $44-$76.
Sunday, January 24, 2027, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
Koger Center for the Arts.
Kendra Wheeler, Guest Artist Saxophone Recital
Admission Cost: FREE.
Monday, January 25, 2027, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Ashley Leigh Guest Artist Clarinet Recital
Admission Cost: FREE.
Tuesday, January 26, 2027, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Serena LaRoche and Snyder Faculty Chamber Recital
Admission Cost: FREE.
Thursday, January 28, 2027, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Jacob Tierney Senior Voice Recital
Admission Cost: FREE.
Friday, January 29, 2027, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Tutti Bassi Early Music Concert
Admission Cost: FREE.
Friday, January 29, 2027, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.
Musical Feast
Join the Friends of Music for the 2027 Musical Feast! On January 30, the Koger Center for the Arts will come to life while showcasing our students’ talent. Sip wine and savor delicious hors d’oeuvres, from the main stage to the Grand Lobby, with musical performances as varied as the locations. Move among the percussion, jazz, opera, strings and vocal musicians and mouthwatering food displays as you meet new friends and catch up with old ones. This is the night everyone looks forward to and you won't want to miss it!
Proceeds from the evening directly impact our students’ academic lives by raising funds for scholarships. Help our students achieve their dreams of making a difference in the world through music by purchasing a ticket today!
Koger Center for the Arts (1051 Greene St.).
Admission Cost: Tickets: $75 young professionals (ages 21-30), $125 individual, $200 couple.
Saturday, January 30, 2027, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM.
See Description for Event Location.
USC Jazz Faculty Recital
Admission Cost: FREE.
Monday, February 1, 2027, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM.
School of Music 206 Recital Hall.