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Program

Concentration

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program

Concentration

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

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BM Jazz Studies

Instrumental

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program Recognition

Thornton was among the nation's first free-standing jazz departments

Training

Instrumental track develops improvisation, theory, history, ensemble fluency, and individual study on a jazz instrument

Performance & Productions

Players work in Jazz Orchestra, Concert Jazz Orchestra, Afro-Latin American Jazz Ensemble, and honors combos; the degree culminates in a senior recital or project

School Info

Snapshot

3.86

Avg GPA (W)

10%

Admit Rate

school-wide

92%

Grad Rate

20.4K

Enrollment

$92K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$77,336

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$103,162

Before aid

Average Net Price

$32,740

After aid

Cost Of Attendance · financialaid.usc.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated 31m ago

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Thornton was among the nation's first free-standing jazz departments

Training

Instrumental track develops improvisation, theory, history, ensemble fluency, and individual study on a jazz instrument

Performance & Productions

Players work in Jazz Orchestra, Concert Jazz Orchestra, Afro-Latin American Jazz Ensemble, and honors combos; the degree culminates in a senior recital or project

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Thornton was among the nation's first free-standing jazz departments

Training

Instrumental track develops improvisation, theory, history, ensemble fluency, and individual study on a jazz instrument

Performance & Productions

Players work in Jazz Orchestra, Concert Jazz Orchestra, Afro-Latin American Jazz Ensemble, and honors combos; the degree culminates in a senior recital or project

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App

Deadline

Regular DecisionDec 1, 2026

First Year Students · admission.usc.edu

Program AppApplication

Apply

SlideRoom

Fee

$35

Deadline

Application DeadlineDec 1, 2026

Deadlines · music.usc.edu

Prescreen Requirements

Songs

Video prescreen: 3-5 selections of contrasting styles from standard jazz repertoire on the primary instrument. Lead trumpet, bass, piano, reed, and brass players must include "Well You Needn't" (Monk) and "Chi-Chi" (Parker); bassists add four 2-octave major/minor scales (arco and pizzicato); lead trumpet adds two big-band excerpts of contrasting styles. Guitarists include one standard/jazz-classic selection plus one chord-melody solo performance and a verbal introduction. Drummers complete an extensive rhythm-section battery covering blues, swing, Latin-to-swing, brushes (ballad and medium), groove demonstrations, and a snare solo.

Additional Materials

Resume

Upload a current musical resume.

Repertoire List

List studied and performed repertoire.

Transcript

Transfer applicants upload all college transcripts in SlideRoom.

Recommendation

Optional recommendations may be submitted through SlideRoom.

Jazz Studies Undergraduate · music.usc.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Audition Requirements

Songs

Live Audition

Improvisation and sight-reading demonstrated by all applicants; accompaniment provided in person (bring legible lead sheets)

Instrumentalists (except drums and guitar) perform the same repertoire submitted for prescreen

Drummers perform the same prescreen repertoire, demonstrate the standard 40 rudiments, and sight-read (bring own sticks)

Guitarists perform a solo chord-melody piece, then a standard/jazz-classic in a duo or trio setting with rhythm-section support, plus scales, triads, and sight-reading

Additional Materials

Sheet music (lead sheets) for prepared tunes

Drumsticks for percussionists (optional)

Jazz Studies Undergraduate · music.usc.edu

Good to Know

Thornton permits one first-choice Thornton major. The program-specific SlideRoom portfolio is opened from the submitted Common Application. uscmusic.slideroom.com resolves and lists this emphasis's Fall 2027 application window; the Fall 2027 application deadline is December 1, 2026, confirmed on Thornton's official deadlines page.

What's The Process

Invited auditions are generally held in late January and early February; exact Fall 2027 dates have not been published.

School Info

Snapshot

3.86

Avg GPA (W)

10%

Admit Rate

school-wide

92%

Grad Rate

20.4K

Enrollment

$92K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$77,336

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$103,162

Before aid

Average Net Price

$32,740

After aid

Cost Of Attendance · financialaid.usc.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

Thornton was among the nation's first free-standing jazz departments

Training

Instrumental track develops improvisation, theory, history, ensemble fluency, and individual study on a jazz instrument

Performance & Productions

Players work in Jazz Orchestra, Concert Jazz Orchestra, Afro-Latin American Jazz Ensemble, and honors combos; the degree culminates in a senior recital or project

Updated 31m ago