Admission-Audition Requirements

In addition to USC admission requirements for graduate students, the following supplementary procedures are necessary for admission to graduate study in the School of Music.

Choral Music

Applicants should submit a statement of objectives along with evidence of at least two years' experience as a choral conductor for the M.M. degree, four years for the D.M.A. A tape recording of at least 30 minutes duration of a choral group conducted by the applicant should be submitted. Choral works of several periods and styles, and at least one work from the contemporary period must be included

Church Music

Applicants for the major in church music should submit a statement of career objectives and a 15-minute tape recording of the applicant's performance in the principal performance medium.

Composition

Two or three carefully prepared scores of recent works should be submitted with the application for admission. Recordings of these works should be included if possible.

Conducting

Selected applicants will be invited to present a live audition with the university orchestra. Such applicants will be contacted to determine repertoire.

Music Education

Applicants must submit a resume of their teaching and other relevant professional experience, including a statement indicating the progress and achievement students have attained under their guidance.

Music History and Literature

M.A. candidates must submit a statement of objectives and one or two representative historical or analytical term papers, and Graduate Record Examinations scores. Applicants for the Ph.D. should submit a statement of objectives, a copy of the master's thesis, and Graduate Record Examinations scores.

Music Theory

Applicants must submit an analytical study of a large composition.

Performance

A personal audition or recent video or cassette tape recording of representative selections is required for all applicants seeking admission as a performance major. If a cassette is submitted, it should accompany the supplementary application; it will not be returned unless return postage is supplied.

Keyboard Collaborative Arts

The audition, preferably performed in person, is in two parts. The piano solo part should include two piano solos, performed from memory, from contrasting stylistic periods. The keyboard collaborative part should include two complete instrumental sonatas, performed with music, four songs from contrasting stylistic periods and one aria, performed with music. The collaborative repertoire must be selected from an approved list, available from the department. Additionally, students will be tested on their sight-reading ability and demonstration of skills in diction and translation. Submission of a solo and ensemble repertoire list is required.

Guitar

Applicants will be expected to perform 30 minutes of solo and/or ensemble music from the classical guitar or the studio/jazz repertoire. An in-person audition is recommended; however, a recent, high-fidelity recording is acceptable.

Early Music Performance

The audition must be performed on one or more historical instruments, and it should consist of representative selections for those media.

Organ

The audition should include performance of works of moderate difficulty from at least three of the following periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Contemporary.

Piano

The M.M. applicant in piano must perform from memory one major work from three different stylistic periods and an etude by Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff or a similar composer. The D.M.A. applicant must perform four selections from different stylistic periods and an etude.

String Instrument

Applicants should prepare an audition of approximately 30-40 minutes in length. Repertoire should be selected from standard literature such as concerti, sonatas or unaccompanied works.

Vocal Arts

Applicants are required to prepare a memorized program of at least five selections. The repertoire should include at least one operatic aria, represent contrasting styles, and demonstrate diction facility in at least two foreign languages.

Wind or Percussion Instrument

Applicants will be required to perform their choice of standard exercises, solos, and/or excerpts from the ensemble repertoire which demonstrate musicianship and technical proficiency.

Admission to Graduate Standing

Students accepted into a graduate degree program are required to take entrance examinations prior to their registration in School of Music courses. If all examinations are not passed by the end of two semesters of course work, then further registration must include remedial courses in all areas where deficiencies exist. In addition, all entrance examinations must be passed or corresponding remedial course work must be completed with a minimum grade of B- before permission to present a graduate recital is given. This policy applies also to students pursuing M.A. and Ph.D.