USC School of Music gets biggest donation ever

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The man who directed the University of South Carolina’s band for more than 30 years is donating $1 million to the School of Music for undergraduate scholarships.

School of Music Dean Tayloe Harding announced James Copenhaver’s gift Thursday, and said it is the largest donation ever made to the school.

Harding says the gift will pay for about $50,000 in scholarships each year.

The 68-year-old Copenhaver was director of bands from 1976 to 2010. Harding says the scholarships will allow students to participate in band and music programs despite the increasing costs of getting a university degree.

USC’s music school has 500 undergraduate and graduate music majors. More than 1,500 students in other majors take part in school of music ensembles and classes each year.