The sound of eager small talk and wooden drumsticks getting their last reps in drift through a set of double doors. The buzz fills the room with adrenaline as guests survey their surroundings: different instruments in all directions and the smell of delicious hors d’oeuvres scattered throughout the room.

The annual Musical Feast, sponsored by USC’s Friends of the School of Music, unfolded quietly, then unquietly, Feb. 7, at the Koger Center. The event raises money for student scholarships through ticket sales and auction items.

The event not only brought laughs, smiles and a sense of community among the 300 attendees, but $38,000 in scholarship money over the course of the night.

“The design is to make sure that we raise enough money for six to eight different student scholarships in the name of the Friends of the School of Music,” said Brad Martin, the assistant director of development at the School of Music. “… Unfortunately, we lose students to other schools because of scholarships, and so we’re always working hard to raise money.”

Martin said the event has been a School of Music tradition for more than 30 years, with a goal of raising at least $30,000 annually to support six or more students.

One of last year’s scholarship recipients, Katie DeMartini, had a full-circle moment when she was allowed to perform at the event.

“Being able to perform at the Musical Feast was such an honor,” DeMartini said. “I’m so grateful I was able to share original music of mine with such important and generous people at the University of South Carolina.”

For fellow student performers like Ryan Johnson, a saxophonist who has been playing for nearly 18 years, the night represents more than just another concert.

“All these people are here giving their time, and they’re helping to fund our schooling,” Johnson said. “… Everything we do here wouldn’t be possible without the generous donations that events like this provide.”

Johnson said his favorite part of the evening is simply performing for an audience that understands and values the work students put in.

Trumpet player Isaac Segovia echoed that statement after his Mardi Gras-inspired jazz performance.

“I think what it means to be performing here tonight for me is to share my gift with all these wonderful and great people,” Segovia said. “Playing music is the universal language, you see all these cats smiling up here and they’re extremely happy, the same goes for the crowd.”

Behind the scenes, the scale of the event requires careful coordination.

“Students are very busy with their other class work and everything … to have them do this, it really means a lot, and we really appreciate them putting in that effort for us,” said Audra Vaz, head of the school’s development office.

A similar sense of appreciation for the night resonated with sponsors as well, such as John Knowell of Phoenix Roofing.

“When I moved here 11 years ago, (our goal) was actually to be established as a footprint for the community,” Knowell said. “We do a lot with Habitat for Humanity, a lot of nonprofits, and we helped out with Hurricane Helene, so being involved with this actual charity event. … It worked out very well with us,” Knowell said.

Of course, the evening wouldn’t have been possible without fuel from the cheerful servers and caterers.

“I love the beginning,” Dana Singleton, a drink server at the event, said with a smile on her face. “I love the rush. And I love to meet people. … They’re all coming in and having a good time and just enjoying themselves.”

As final notes are played and conversations begin to fade, the impact of the evening extends far beyond the stage.

“That’s the point,” Sergovia said. “You’re spreading this music to make people happy and make them feel something that, you know, a lot don’t feel sometimes when they need it.”