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Los Angeles, CA

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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

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BM Winds & Percussion Performance

Percussion

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program Recognition

USC Thornton's Winds & Percussion faculty are nationally and internationally active artists and teachers

Training

Four-year, 132-unit BM combines individual instruction, performance class, wind ensemble, chamber music, theory, aural skills, history, and conducting

Percussionists work with James Babor and Joseph Pereira across timpani, mallets, snare drum, orchestral accessories, and multi-percussion

The studio's rotating instruments and setup demands prepare players for orchestra, chamber, contemporary, and recording calls

Performance & Productions

Senior recital anchors the performance sequence

Professional Development

Los Angeles location connects preparation to concert, orchestra, recording, film, and television work

Percussion emphasis spans orchestral instruments, mallets, timpani, chamber percussion, and solo literature with dedicated percussion faculty

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.86

Admit rate

10%

school-wide

Grad rate

92%

Enrollment

20.4K

Earnings

$92K

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 22h ago

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

USC Thornton's Winds & Percussion faculty are nationally and internationally active artists and teachers

Training

Four-year, 132-unit BM combines individual instruction, performance class, wind ensemble, chamber music, theory, aural skills, history, and conducting

Percussionists work with James Babor and Joseph Pereira across timpani, mallets, snare drum, orchestral accessories, and multi-percussion

The studio's rotating instruments and setup demands prepare players for orchestra, chamber, contemporary, and recording calls

Performance & Productions

Senior recital anchors the performance sequence

Professional Development

Los Angeles location connects preparation to concert, orchestra, recording, film, and television work

Percussion emphasis spans orchestral instruments, mallets, timpani, chamber percussion, and solo literature with dedicated percussion faculty

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

USC Thornton's Winds & Percussion faculty are nationally and internationally active artists and teachers

Training

Four-year, 132-unit BM combines individual instruction, performance class, wind ensemble, chamber music, theory, aural skills, history, and conducting

Percussionists work with James Babor and Joseph Pereira across timpani, mallets, snare drum, orchestral accessories, and multi-percussion

The studio's rotating instruments and setup demands prepare players for orchestra, chamber, contemporary, and recording calls

Performance & Productions

Senior recital anchors the performance sequence

Professional Development

Los Angeles location connects preparation to concert, orchestra, recording, film, and television work

Percussion emphasis spans orchestral instruments, mallets, timpani, chamber percussion, and solo literature with dedicated percussion faculty

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

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.

Prescreen Repertoire

Snare drum: a long roll (start pp, gradually crescendo to ff, hold at ff for a few seconds, and gradually diminuendo back to pp, for a total of 25-30 seconds); Pratt, "Drum Corps on Parade" from 14 Modern Contest Solos for Snare Drum, from the beginning to the downbeat of measure 28 (quarter note = 108); Delecluse, Douze Etudes No. 1, from the beginning to the downbeat of bar 35

Two mallets (on marimba): J.S. Bach, Violin Partita No. 3, Prelude, from the beginning to the downbeat of bar 51

Four mallets: J.S. Bach, "Tempo de Bouree" from Partita No. 1, first 20 bars, first time only (half note = 66)

Timpani: tune exclusively with an A440 tuning fork (no electronic tuner); starting with the pedals low, tune a B natural on the 29" drum and an E natural on the 26", then perform Goodman, The Modern Method for Timpani, Etude No. 49

Prescreen pieces must be video recordings; applicants who do not prepare the full prescreen repertoire will not be permitted to perform a live audition or offered admission

Introductory Video

Required of all undergraduate applicants: a single-take, unedited, and preferably unscripted 1-2 minute video that offers a brief personal introduction and answers the following question: "How do you envision using your USC Thornton education to become a force for positive change in the evolution of the music profession and music as an art form?"

Young Artist Project Video

Required of all undergraduate applicants: a single-take, unedited, and preferably unscripted video of no more than two minutes. In this video applicants must answer the following question: "If you were pitching your Young Artist Project idea today, what is the most daring project you would propose and why?"

Waiver and Release of Liability Form

Complete and upload the USC Thornton Waiver and Release of Liability Form in SlideRoom.

Percussion Undergraduate · music.usc.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Audition Requirements

Additional Materials

Repertoire

Snare drum: a rudimental solo etude from the Pratt or Wilcoxon books and a concert solo etude from Cirone Portraits in Rhythm, Mitchell Peters Advanced Studies, or Delecluse 12 Etudes; also demonstrate knowledge of rudiments and ornaments and the ability to roll at all dynamic levels

Mallets: a two-mallet solo of your choice suitable for a recital and a four-mallet marimba or vibraphone solo of your choice suitable for a recital; also demonstrate knowledge of scales and arpeggios

Timpani: an etude from the Goodman method, Firth, Delecluse, or Hochrainer books, or the equivalent; also demonstrate the ability to tune accurately

Applicants may be asked to sight-read on snare drum, mallets, and timpani

Sheet Music

In-person live auditions: bring two bound copies of all materials (the sheet music for every prepared piece)

Percussion Undergraduate · music.usc.edu

University Essays

Common App personal essay

250–650 words · Choose 1 of 7 prompts · Written once for all your Common App schools

Background, identity, interest, or talent: Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
Facing adversity: The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
Challenging an idea: Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
Gratitude: Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
Personal growth: Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
Intellectual curiosity: Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
Topic of your choice: Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

The Common App enforces the length inside the application.

USC short answer

About 250 words

Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests and why you want to explore them at USC specifically. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections. (Approximately 250 words)

Quick Takes

The school shows this prompt only after you sign in to Common App.

USC Student Commitment questionOptional

About 250 words

(Optional) The USC Student Commitment charges Trojans to "value honest, open communication and robust debate," and to "champion ideological diversity and embrace freedom of expression." Describe a time when you disagreed with someone you know about something important to you. Did you change your mind or reach common ground? (Approximately 250 words)

Application · Common App Application · Common App Uscs Glossary For First Year Applicants 5b8 · admissionblog.usc.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Thornton permits one first-choice Thornton major.

The program-specific SlideRoom portfolio is opened from the submitted Common Application. Early Decision and Early Action are not available for undergraduate Thornton majors, so first-year applicants select Regular Decision.

Complete both the USC application and the Thornton SlideRoom portfolio by the December 1 deadline.

What's The Process

Audition Process

Prescreen results are emailed in late December. Invited applicants receive the date and time of their live audition, which typically takes place in late January or early February; do not make travel plans until the audition appointment is confirmed.

In-person campus auditions are strongly encouraged. Applicants who live more than 100 miles from campus and cannot travel to Los Angeles because of financial hardship can request a recorded audition in their Thornton SlideRoom portfolio; applicants within 100 miles of campus must audition in person.

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.86

Admit rate

10%

school-wide

Grad rate

92%

Enrollment

20.4K

Earnings

$92K

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

USC Thornton's Winds & Percussion faculty are nationally and internationally active artists and teachers

Training

Four-year, 132-unit BM combines individual instruction, performance class, wind ensemble, chamber music, theory, aural skills, history, and conducting

Percussionists work with James Babor and Joseph Pereira across timpani, mallets, snare drum, orchestral accessories, and multi-percussion

The studio's rotating instruments and setup demands prepare players for orchestra, chamber, contemporary, and recording calls

Performance & Productions

Senior recital anchors the performance sequence

Professional Development

Los Angeles location connects preparation to concert, orchestra, recording, film, and television work

Percussion emphasis spans orchestral instruments, mallets, timpani, chamber percussion, and solo literature with dedicated percussion faculty

Updated 22h ago