ADVANCEMENT

Giving to USC Thornton

Gifts from generous donors have a direct impact on a student’s educational experience. Inspire new generations of performers, composers, educators and leaders to dream big; perform at the highest level; and invigorate a diverse, modern musical world.

Support Matters

Every year, hundreds of alumni, parents, and friends of the School pledge their support because they understand the value of quality music education and its important role in the advancement of the arts, entertainment and our community. Unrestricted giving aids USC Thornton in the following ways:

Provides hundreds of students with scholarship support;

Ensures outstanding faculty support to mentor thousands of students;

Funds dynamic degree programs; and

Implements enhanced facility upgrades.

Two students holding classical guitars in downtown Los Angeles.

Dean’s Circle

Members of USC Thornton’s premier academic support group contribute crucial leadership funds supporting the school’s wide-ranging and ever-expanding educational opportunities in music while enjoying the following membership courtesies:

Prodigio

$50,000

USC Associates membership and benefits.°

USC Parents Leadership Circle membership and benefits.◊

Complimentary University Club membership, upon request;

Exclusive invitation to USC Commencement Honorary Degrees Dinner;

All courtesies extended to Virtuoso members.

BECOME A MEMBER

Virtuoso

$25,000

Exclusive, personal performance in your home by USC Thornton student musicians, upon request;

Complimentary tickets to select President’s USC Visions & Voices initiative events, upon request;

All courtesies extended to Maestro members.

BECOME A MEMBER

Maestro

$10,000

Private evening with the Dean, including dinner and a concert, upon request;

VIP dining reservations at the University Club on campus, upon request;

Reserved seating at USC Thornton Commencement ceremony;

All courtesies extended to Impresario members.

BECOME A MEMBER

Impresario

$5,000

Reserved seating† at all USC Thornton-produced concerts and events, upon request;

Exclusive invitation to attend a select USC Associates pre-game football picnic;

Private VIP tour of the USC campus and Thornton facilities, upon request;

Reserved seating at USC Thornton Commencement ceremony with two-year commitment at this level;

Invitation to attend USC Thornton’s semi-annual California Club salon and dinner;

All courtesies extended to Aficionado members.

BECOME A MEMBER

Aficionado

$2,500

Invitation to attend the annual Dean’s Circle Member Dinner;

Complimentary tickets to USC Thornton Opera performances, upon request;

Invitations to exclusive receptions and events hosted by the Dean;

Reserved seating at USC Thornton Commencement ceremony with four-year commitment at this level.

Complimentary parking‡ when attending USC Thornton-produced concerts & events, upon request;

Recognition in USC Thornton concert programs, on website, and virtual lobby displays around the school.

BECOME A MEMBER

° USC Associates membership requires annual fee

◊ Parents Leadership Circle open to parents of current USC undergraduate students

*Multi-year pledges at this membership level are eligible for USC Associates and Parents Leadership Circle benefits

†Reserved seating is subject to advance request two weeks prior to the event date

‡Parking for USC football game days excluded

Dean’s Circle Members

We are grateful to the following patrons who provide crucial leadership support to be used at the Dean’s discretion for the immediate and emerging needs of the school.

Robert J. Kolesnik, M.D.

Keith & LeaAnne LaVanway

The Stump Family

Lisa Argyros and John Massa

Stacy and Peter Cramer

Sue and Jim Femino

Lisa A. Hane and Hugh Young Rienhoff Jr.

Anonymous

Thomas and Judith Beckmen

Kim and Robert Cavallo

Mr. and Mrs. James K. Dunton

Gregg Field and Monica Mancini

Julie Garn and Family

Henry Family Fund

Richard and Randi Jones

The Kessler Family

Neil R. Portnow

Noble Foundation

Kathleen and Dale Rosenbloom

Eric Small

The Sykes Family

Geneva and Chuck Thornton

Marlene Tsuchii & Christopher Dalston

Beth and Michael Wexler

Shelley Weingarten Wisner & Victor Wisner

Lois Robbins and Andrew Zaro

Ellen and Randolph Beatty

Shirley Brumbaugh Dillard

Gail Eden Eichenthal

John and Julie Fogerty

The Ginsburg Family

Ken and Judith Joy

Ellen and Randolph Beatty

Shirley Brumbaugh Dillard

Gail Eden Eichenthal

John and Julie Fogerty

The Ginsburg Family

Ken and Judith Joy

Laura Kanter

Sharon A. Lilly

Marcellus, Suzanne, Camden, Jensen and Holden McRae

Christine Marie Ofiesh

Gail Samuel and William Christian

Anonymous

Gillian and David Berman

Drs. Gary and Tonya Blache

Yvonne Bogdanovich and Family

Denise and Robert Cain

Kathlyn Yuba Fujikawa

Burton Lewis Karson

Masako Maki

Edith May

Dmitri Novikov and Eugenia Novikov

Regina Ockelman and Gregory Ockelmann

Listing updated as of August 23, 2023. Every effort has been made to ensure that this list is complete and accurate. If an error or omission has been made, please contact the USC Thornton Office of Advancement at (213) 740-6474 or music.advancement@usc.edu.