University of Southern California

USC Thornton School of Music

Music in the City of Angels

For updates on the Fall 2021 semester at USC Thornton, click here.

Popular Music students perform on stage with drums & guitar.

On the horizon: bright futures.

Successful musicians of the future need to do so much more than play music. In addition to being virtuoso performers with distinct artistic voices, they need to function as digital-savvy technicians and entrepreneurs. We equip artists with the portfolio of skills they need to thrive.

woodwind musicians play on a city street

Always innovating, always collaborating.

USC Thornton students collaborate constantly across musical genres within the school, and with their peers in USC’s world-class cinematic arts, dance, and theatre schools. We encourage study abroad, as musicians’ multi-faceted careers increasingly are global. This international focus builds a multicultural sensibility and widens students’ professional networks.

Opportunities abound.

No one career looks like another, and we train students for success in multiple career paths. These include stages, studios, higher education, K-12 classrooms, and arts leadership positions. Our location in Los Angeles, the creative capital of the world, provides a wealth of nearby opportunities.

Explore our programs.

Our three exceptional divisions offer cross-genre experiences, exposing students to diverse styles and techniques that will prepare them for a well-rounded career at the highest level.

Classical Performance & Composition
Contemporary Music
Research & Scholarly Studies

Classical Performance & Composition

Contemporary Music

Research and Scholarly Studies

USC Thornton Students:
Favorite Things About Los Angeles

Spotlights

Illustration of choral singers

Photo of jazz bassist with sound wave illustration

Reservations Now Open to Audiences for USC Thornton Signature Series Events

Select events for the Fall 2021 semester will stream on Thornton/LIVE with limited in-person audiences.

Photo of Linda Insook Diaz with illustration of digital audio workstation

The Process: Linda Insook Díaz

To produce this visual and sonic interpretation of the mathematical wavelength of light, USC Thornton senior composition major Linda Insook Díaz mastered new audio software, utilizing the skills she’s been acquiring in her music technology classes at Thornton.

News

October 22, 2021

Thornton faculty member Thomas Hooten premieres trumpet concerto with LA Phil

October 20, 2021

Abby Hwong (NoSo) debuts single on NPR

October 18, 2021

Composer Nick Bentz commissioned by Wigmore Hall

October 14, 2021

USC Thornton faculty, students and alumni featured at California Association of Professional Music Teachers State Conference

Learn about Thornton’s commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.