USC was accepted as a member institution of the Southeastern Conference on September 25, 1990. They began play during the 1992 season.
Because the league is one of the most successful financially and its football games have traditionally been of the highest attended and most televised, this change brought increased exposure to USC. Subsequently there was significant change in the level of publicity for the Carolina Band.
One change included the addition of third band director. Under this organizational structure, the Director of Bands became responsible for administering the total band program (which includes the Marching Band, the Pep Bands, the Concert Band, the Symphonic Band, the Wind Ensemble & the summer band camps). The various bands in the program were then overseen by an Associate and Assistant Director of Bands.
The new Assistant Director of Bands became the Director of Athletic Bands, which included direct oversight and instruction of the University of South Carolina Marching Band and pep bands.
The first person to hold this position was Dr. David O' Shields. From 1995 until 2006, Dr. O'Shields's served as Assistant Director of Bands/Director of Athletic Bands at the University of South Carolina.
O'Shields' tenure is highlighted by the demolition of the former Band Hall, the move to an Interim Band Hall, and the creation of plans for the new $9.8 million band facility complex which later opened in April 2009.
Dr. George Brozak became the new Assistant Director of Bands/Director of Athletic Bands in 2006. His tenure (2006-2009) leading the marching band is noted by the offering of scholarships for all Carolina Band members for the first time.
Mr. Steve McKeithen was hired as Assistant Director of Bands/Director of Athletic Bands from 2009 until 2011 continuing some new policies instituted by Brozak and helping polish the image of the Carolina Band.
Following James Copenhaver's retirement in 2010, Dr. Scott Weiss was appointed Director of Bands at the University of South Carolina.
On March 16, 2011, it was announced that Dr. Rebecca Phillips would take over as Director of Athletic Bands beginning with the Fall 2011 season officially becoming the first Associate Director of Bands/Director of Athletic Bands. With the start of her tenure came the rise of several new changes to the band program including the creation of a new pre-game show. The position previously held by McKeithen was changed to Assistant Director of Bands/Assistant Director of Athletic Bands and is currently held by Mr. Jayme Taylor.
The Carolina Band currently enjoys a renaissance of audience and fan support and has seen a marked increase in membership over the last four years to 350.
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