We look forward to welcoming you to campus for your live audition! This information is for applicants invited to perform a live audition in-person on the USC campus. All in-person auditions will take place on the USC University Park Campus (UPC). Please review the information below regarding audition policies and procedures, required exams and more. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the Thornton Admission Office. If you are performing your live audition online, click here for your audition instructions.
MAP & DIRECTIONS
Please click here for an audition event map and driving directions.
AUDITION CHECK-IN PROCEDURE
- All auditioning students must check-in at the Check-in Tent to receive their audition room and warm-up room assignments. Please refer to this map for audition location details.
- Please plan to check-in approximately 1 hour before your scheduled appointment. Students auditioning for classical piano should check in 1.5 hours before their scheduled audition time.
- Be sure to allow ample time (at least 20 minutes) to park your car and walk to the check-in location.
AUDITION POLICIES
- Assigned warm-up rooms will be available 15 – 60 minutes prior to your audition depending on your instrument.
- Classical Piano warm-up rooms are 5-10 minutes walking time from the piano audition location. Pianists should be prepared to walk that distance after warming-up, and before auditioning. The “green room” at the audition location will be available for a brief additional warm-up period (about 15 minutes) immediately before each person’s audition.
- Instrument availability – Thornton does not loan or rent instruments to auditioning students. (Pianos, harps, drum sets, and amplifiers are provided in audition and warm-up rooms)
- Audition requirements can be found on our website: https://music.usc.edu/admission/. It’s your responsibility to meet the audition requirements for the program to which you’re applying.
- Accompaniment will be provided for BM Choral Music and Jazz Studies applicants only. Classical Vocal Arts applicants may request an accompanist by following the procedure described in their audition confirmation letter. Artist Diploma applicants (any instrument) and DMA strings applicants are required to provide their own accompanist. All other strings applicants are strongly encouraged to provide an accompanist. All other students may bring an accompanist if they would like. For a list of local accompanists for hire, please contact the Music Admission office.
- Thornton practice facilities are available to most auditioning students beginning the Friday immediately preceding their audition. If students need additional time to practice outside of their assigned warm-up time period, they can gain access to Thornton practice facilities following this procedure:
- Pick-up a “Practice Room Access Card” from the Music Operations Office. Cards are available for pick up between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. on the Friday immediately preceding your audition, and 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. on our audition weekends (see map for location).
- Bring your audition confirmation e-mail and photo ID with you.
- Please return the card to the Music Operations Office, or to any Thornton staff member. This is extremely important to us, and we thank you in advance for your cooperation.
- Note: We regret that practice rooms for classical percussionists are not available, nor are rooms with amplifiers and drum sets.
REQUIRED EXAMINATIONS
All exams will be administered online.
Graduate Academic Admission Examination
All DMA and PhD applicants as well as Master’s applicants in Music Teaching and Learning, Community Music, and Early Music must take Thornton’s Graduate Academic Admission Examination. This exam will be administered online on Saturday January 14, 2023 from 8:00AM – 11:00 AM PST. Applicants must make plans to be available during this full three-hour time period in order to complete the exam. Further details about how the exam will be administered will be provided in the first week of January. Details about this exam can be found in the “How to Apply” section of our website (https://music.usc.edu/admission/) and will be sent directly to applicants under separate cover.
Theory Examination for Undergraduate Applicants
An undergraduate music theory exam is no longer required of undergraduate applicants. Admitted undergraduate students who choose to enroll will take a theory exam in early May. More information will be provided at a later date.
EXAM ACCOMMODATIONS
If you require particular accommodations to complete either the Undergraduate Theory Exam or the Graduate Academic Admission Examination due to documented, individualized learning needs, please complete the Thornton Exam Accommodations Request Form as soon as possible so that the feasibility of specific accommodations can be considered. Possible accommodations might include reformatted exam materials or adjustments to the time allotted for the exam. While accommodations cannot be guaranteed, every effort will be made to provide reasonable accommodations in an effective and timely manner. Requests must be received at least 14 days prior to the start of the scheduled exam time in order to be fully considered.
AUDITION CHANGE REQUESTS
Please be aware that every effort was made to accommodate applicants’ audition date preferences, but in some cases this was not possible. We do apologize if this is the case for you. Unfortunately, due to faculty availability and a variety of other factors, many audition change requests cannot be accommodated. If you wish to change your audition appointment date or format (online or in-person) you may complete the Audition Change Request form, which will be available to submit beginning at 9AM PT on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. All audition change requests will be considered in the order they are received and requests must be submitted via the request form. You will receive a response to your request within 5 business days.
IN-PERSON SESSIONS AND ACTIVITIES
JANUARY 21-22
11:00 AM – Campus Tour
Departing from the Check-in Tent
A fast-paced walking tour of the USC campus, highlighting points of interest and historic features. Tour groups will meet near the Check-in tent 5-10 minutes prior to tour departure. No reservations necessary; all are welcome. Tours last approximately 1 hr.
1:00 PM – Undergraduate Student Q&A Panel
Carson Center (CTV 136A)
Join us for this Q&A panel with current undergraduate Thornton students to learn more about their student experience.
2:00 PM – Undergraduate Financial Aid Session
Kaufman School of Dance (KDC) Room 235
Join a representative from the USC Office of Financial Aid for a presentation on need-based financial aid. This presentation is designed for undergraduate students and their families.
3:30 PM – Campus Tour
(see details above)
FEBRUARY 4-5
11:00 AM – Campus Tour – SUNDAY ONLY
Departing from the Check-in Tent
A fast-paced walking tour of the USC campus, highlighting points of interest and historic features. Tour groups will meet near the Check-in tent 5-10 minutes prior to tour departure. No reservations necessary; all are welcome. Tours last approximately 1 hr.
1:00 PM – Undergraduate Student Q&A Panel
Carson Center (CTV 136A)
Join us for this Q&A panel with current undergraduate Thornton students to learn more about their student experience.
2:00 PM – Undergraduate Financial Aid Session
Kaufman School of Dance (KDC) Room 235
Join a representative from the USC Office of Financial Aid for a presentation on need-based financial aid. This presentation is designed for undergraduate students and their families.
3:30 PM – Campus Tour – SATURDAY ONLY
(see details above)
VIRTUAL INFORMATION SESSIONS
USC Thornton Undergraduate Financial Aid Session
Wednesday, February 22, 2023 | 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. (PT)
Click here to register
Meet one of our USC Financial Aid officers, who will present information on the sources of need-based financial aid available to USC undergraduates and the USC financial aid application process. This virtual session will be hosted via Zoom and registration is required to attend.
USC Thornton Undergraduate Student Panel
Friday, February 24, 2023 | 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. (PT)
Click here to register
Current Thornton undergraduates from a variety of Thornton majors will be available to share their experiences with you and answer your questions. This virtual session will be hosted via Zoom and registration is required to atte
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Who will be listening to / judging my audition?
A: Faculty members in your prospective major will be present. Depending on your program, between 2-10 people might be present.
Q: How long will my audition last?
A: Undergraduate (BM) auditions are generally 10-20 minutes long, and graduate (MM, MA, DMA, Graduate Certificate) auditions range from 10-30 minutes in length.
Q: Where on campus will my audition take place?
A: Many departments within the USC Thornton School will be holding auditions at the same time. Audition and warm-up rooms are spread throughout USC Thornton facilities. A campus map is included for your reference. Please refer to the map, but first stop at the check-in table. You will be directed to your warm-up and audition spaces from there.
Q: Will there be a piano in the audition room?
A: Yes.
Q: Can my family and friends listen to my audition?
A: No. USC Thornton auditions are “closed auditions.” Your family or friends may accompany you to campus, but they cannot enter the audition room with you.
Q: I am a jazz or pop drummer. Am I required to bring my own drum set?
A: A drum set will be provided, but make sure to bring your own sticks and brushes.
Q: I am an electric guitarist (or electric bassist). Am I required to bring my own amplifier?
A: An amp will be provided.
Q: Will my audition include sight-reading?
A: Some applicants may be asked to demonstrate their sight-reading skills.
Q: When will I receive a final admission decision?
A: Graduate decisions will be released around March 15. First-year/freshman decisions will be released by April 1. Undergraduate transfer decisions will be released on an on-going basis between April 15 – June 1.
LODGING AND TRANSPORTATION
HOTELS
- USC Hotel (Walking distance to USC)
- Courtyard Los Angeles, LAX
- Travelodge LAX South**
- Hotel Indigo, LA Downtown
- Courtyard & Residence Inn LA Live
- Millennium Biltmore L.A.** (Downtown LA)
- Hotel Carmel – Santa Monica
**Please note that some hotels do not accommodate unaccompanied guests under the age of 18 or, in some cases, 21. Of the hotels listed above, The Biltmore and Travelodge allow guests who are at least 17 years old to stay without an adult. Please be sure to inquire about this policy when booking your reservation.
AIRPORTS SERVING THE LOS ANGELES AREA
- Hollywood-Burbank Airport (BUR)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Long Beach Airport (LGB)
- Ontario Airport (ONT) Note that the drive from Ontario to USC can take about 2 hours
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
Light Rail: USC is located on the LA Metro Rail Expo “E” Line. We suggest that you exit the train at Expo Park/USC. https://www.metro.net/riding/guide/how-ride-rail/
*Rideshare Services: Uber and Lyft both service USC and the Los Angeles area.
*Airport Shuttles and Taxi Services
- Super Shuttle – serves the airports above
- (800) BLUE VAN (258-3826) | www.supershuttle.com
- Prime Time Shuttle – serves the airports above
- (800) RED-VANS (733-8267) | www.primetimeshuttle.com
- Independent Taxi Service*
- (800) 521-8294 | www.lataxi.com (coupons on their website!)
- LA Yellow Cab
- (424) 222-2222 | www.layellowcab.com
*Advise your driver to drop off or pick up at USC’s “McClintock Ave Entrance” at Jefferson Bl and McClintock Ave (zip code 90007). Thornton is a short walk from there.
This information is provided as a courtesy. USC Thornton gives no endorsement of any business or service listed above. In-person auditions and activities are subject to change relative to any revisions to public health guidelines at USC and/or in Los Angeles County. Please keep this in mind when making travel arrangements.