ACADEMICS
Polish Music Center
Established in 1985 by Dr. Stefan and Wanda Wilk, the Polish Music Center at USC’s Thornton School of Music is a unique research center for scholars, musicians, journalists and lovers of Polish music.
Overview
The Polish Music Center (PMC) at the USC Thornton School of Music is the only institute of its kind outside of Poland. As an exceptional resource for research in Polish music and culture, it houses a unique collection of manuscripts by leading Polish composers including Lutoslawski, Penderecki, Bacewicz and many others.
The Center’s extensive collection of reference materials comprises significant holdings not available outside of Poland, with a particular focus on Polish music from the 20th and 21st centuries.
History
Established in 1985 by Dr. Stefan and Wanda Wilk, the Polish Music Center at USC’s Thornton School of Music is a unique research center for scholars, musicians, journalists and lovers of Polish music. The breadth of PMC’S collection is possible largely thanks to relationships with Polish publishers and individual donors that were established by the Wilks and continue to this day.
Offerings
In addition to services as a library and research center, the PMC offers concerts, exhibits, and scholarly conferences on a variety of topics, both on campus and beyond. The Center’s website continues to provide a wealth of information and scholarship to the USC community and to audiences worldwide.
The PMC organizes concerts, exhibits, and scholarly conferences at USC as well as the Paderewski Festival and related events in Paso Robles, CA.
The PMC houses the largest collection of Polish music in the U.S. and is the only center at an American university devoted solely to Polish music.
The Polish Music Newsletter is a chronicle of news and events happening around the world related to Polish classical, jazz and folk music.
Leadership
Artist, scholar, and curator Marek Zebrowski serves as the Program Director for the Polish Music Center at USC and Editor-in-Chief of the Polish Music History Series. In addition to his post at PMC, his multifaceted portfolio includes Artistic Director of the Paderewski Festival in Paso Robles, California. Zebrowski is also recognized worldwide as a composer and is a recipient of the Silver Gloria Artis medal from Poland’s Minister of Culture and National Heritage.
Read more about Marek and the Center’s team.
Stay Connected
The PMC’s collections are open to all by appointment. Call (213) 821-1356 or email polmusic@usc.edu to make arrangements.
Mailing Address
USC Polish Music Center
Thornton School of Music
820 W. 34 St. BMH 101, MC 1441, Los Angeles, CA 90089-1441
Physical Address
USC Polish Music Center
USC Stonier Hall (STO)
837 Downey Way, Room 120
Los Angeles, CA 90089
Follow PMC on social media for the Center’s news and events.
