Graduate Degrees
Admission-Audition Requirements
Applicants to graduate programs in the Thornton School of Music must
submit the music supplementary application in addition to fulfilling all
USC graduate admission requirements. Applicants to all doctoral
programs, the M.A. in Music History and Literature and the M.A. in Early
Music must also submit scores from the general test of the Graduate
Record Examinations (GRE). Any applicant whose native language is not
English must also submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign
Language (TOEFL). GRE test scores that are more than five years old, and
TOEFL scores that are more than two years old, at the time of
application, will not be accepted.
Additional requirements for specific graduate programs are detailed
below.
Choral Music
Applicants must submit the following: a brief resume detailing
conducting experience; a statement of objectives; a repertoire list
divided into categories of works sung, works studied and works
conducted; three letters of recommendation; a videotape of both a choral
ensemble performance and rehearsal conducted by the applicant, including
choral works from several periods and styles, with at least one being a
20th century work. Master of Music applicants should have a minimum of
two years' experience as the regular conductor of a choral ensemble.
Doctor of Musical Arts applicants should have a minimum of four years'
experience.
Composition
Applicants must submit the following: three carefully prepared scores
and audio recordings of recent works; a complete list of all
compositions, including dates and media; a statement of objectives;
resume; transcripts from all universities attended. An on-campus
interview with the composition faculty is encouraged but not required.
Admission to graduate programs in composition is highly competitive and
is limited to approximately six new students per year.
Conducting
Applicants must submit the following: a repertoire list, clearly
indicating both works conducted in rehearsal and those conducted in
performance; an unedited videotape from the orchestra's side of the
podium, no less than 30 minutes in length, of which half should be of
the applicant in rehearsal; a statement of objectives; three letters of
recommendation; resume. Selected applicants will be invited to present a
live audition with the university. Such applicants will be contacted to
determine repertoire.
Jazz Studies
Applicants must submit a statement of objectives, resume and repertoire
list. A performance audition is required for admission to this program.
Specific audition requirements, along with other entrance requirements,
are reviewed on an annual basis and published in the Application
Requirements section online at
www.usc.edu/music. Most applicants
will also be asked to sit for a written examination consisting of
listening to excerpts, basic jazz theory and jazz history.
Music Education
Applicants must submit the following: a resume listing group teaching
experience (one year experience or more for M.M. applicants, three
years' experience or more for D.M.A. applicants); brief statement of
objectives and professional goals; academic transcripts from all
universities attended; writing sample (essay or research abstract on a
music education topic for M.M. applicants, a copy of the master's thesis
or written project on a music education topic for D.M.A. applicants); an
audition tape, approximately 15 minutes in length, of the applicant's
solo performance field; three letters of recommendation.
Music History and Literature
Applicants must submit the following: a statement of objectives and
professional goals; academic transcripts from all universities attended;
three letters of recommendation; writing sample (one or two historical
or analytical term papers or a copy of the master's thesis).
Performance
A performance audition is required for all applicants for admission to a
performance major. In the case of some programs, additional
materials are also required. Specific audition requirements, along with
other entrance requirements, are reviewed on an annual basis and
published in the Application Requirements section online at
www.usc.edu/music.
PDF reflects print