The USC Symphonic Winds, under the direction of Jay Jacobs, performs music that represents a broad continuum of time periods and styles, from the core of the classic band repertoire to new and experimental works for winds and percussion. Committed to a rotational seating system and variable instrumentation, the Symphonic Winds creates for its student members a deeply meaningful musical environment with highly individualized attention.

The ensemble is comprised of students with diverse experiences from a variety of degree programs. Musicians place into the ensemble through a blind audition process each semester. Membership in the ensemble, like all bands at USC, is open to any USC student regardless of major or classification.

The USC Symphonic Winds has been featured at the College Band Directors National Association Southern Division Conferences in 2024, 2018 and 2012, the 2019 South Carolina Music Educators Association Conference, the 2010 Society of Composers, Inc. International Conference, the 2009 Kappa Kappa Psi/Tau Beta Sigma Southeast District Convention, and the 2008 North American Saxophone Alliance International Convention. Recent residencies have provided connections with composers such as Katahj Copley, Steven Bryant, Omar Thomas, Joel Puckett and John Mackey. The ensemble has recently premiered works by Katahj Copely, Valerie Coleman, Ryan Williams and Catherine Likhuta.

Symphonic Winds Auditions