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University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA

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Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Browse programs

Quick links

BM Piano

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Training

Piano BM provides intensive individual study through Thornton Keyboard Studies, supported by studio class, repertoire, pedagogy, theory, history, and aural skills

Students develop solo technique and collaborative musicianship across historical periods

Performance & Productions

Recital preparation builds complete programs; chamber and ensemble activity expands work with singers and instrumentalists

Professional Development

Los Angeles location supports concert, collaborative, teaching, recording, and studio pathways

Facilities

Thornton performance halls and practice resources sustain daily keyboard work

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

Training

Piano BM provides intensive individual study through Thornton Keyboard Studies, supported by studio class, repertoire, pedagogy, theory, history, and aural skills

Students develop solo technique and collaborative musicianship across historical periods

Performance & Productions

Recital preparation builds complete programs; chamber and ensemble activity expands work with singers and instrumentalists

Professional Development

Los Angeles location supports concert, collaborative, teaching, recording, and studio pathways

Facilities

Thornton performance halls and practice resources sustain daily keyboard work

Program Highlights

Training

Piano BM provides intensive individual study through Thornton Keyboard Studies, supported by studio class, repertoire, pedagogy, theory, history, and aural skills

Students develop solo technique and collaborative musicianship across historical periods

Performance & Productions

Recital preparation builds complete programs; chamber and ensemble activity expands work with singers and instrumentalists

Professional Development

Los Angeles location supports concert, collaborative, teaching, recording, and studio pathways

Facilities

Thornton performance halls and practice resources sustain daily keyboard work

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, entirely from memory: a Bach Prelude & Fugue (3+ voices) from The Well-Tempered Clavier; a complete Classical-era multi-movement sonata through Schubert (excluding Beethoven Op. 49/79); one Romantic/Impressionistic/Contemporary piece; and a virtuosic-level etude (Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Scriabin, Debussy, Bartok, Stravinsky, or Ligeti)

No concerti accepted; each movement uploaded as a separate, labeled file

Additional Materials

Resume

Upload a current musical resume.

Repertoire List

List studied and performed repertoire.

Statement

Submit the program statement requested in SlideRoom.

Transcript

Transfer applicants upload all college transcripts in SlideRoom.

Recommendation

Optional recommendations may be submitted through SlideRoom.

Keyboard Studies Undergraduate · music.usc.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Audition Requirements

Songs

Live Audition

Same four-work program as the prescreen, entirely from memory: a Bach Prelude & Fugue, a Classical-era sonata, a Romantic/Impressionistic/Contemporary piece, and a virtuosic etude

No concerti accepted; an incomplete program is not offered admission

Keyboard 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 the per-instrument Fall 2027 application windows directly. The Fall 2027 application deadline (December 1, 2026) is now published 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

Training

Piano BM provides intensive individual study through Thornton Keyboard Studies, supported by studio class, repertoire, pedagogy, theory, history, and aural skills

Students develop solo technique and collaborative musicianship across historical periods

Performance & Productions

Recital preparation builds complete programs; chamber and ensemble activity expands work with singers and instrumentalists

Professional Development

Los Angeles location supports concert, collaborative, teaching, recording, and studio pathways

Facilities

Thornton performance halls and practice resources sustain daily keyboard work

Updated 31m ago