Jazz Studies

The application fee for the USC Graduate application is $90. Application fee waivers are available to qualified applicants, and must be requested before submitting the USC Graduate Application. If you plan to apply for a waiver of the USC Graduate Application fee, please do so at least two weeks before the application deadline. The deadline will not be extended for applicants who fail to request a fee waiver in time. Details and instructions can be found here.

All Thornton graduate applicants must upload transcripts into both the USC Graduate Application (Liaison) AND Thornton SlideRoom Application. The transcript submission deadline is December 1st. Please carefully read the instructions below.

Step 1– You must obtain official transcripts from the registrar’s office of each of your prior institutions before you can complete and submit the application forms. This may take some time, please plan accordingly.

Step 2– Upload Scans (PDF format) of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended into the “Academic History” section of the USC Graduate application (Liaison).

Step 3– Upload Scans (PDF format) of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended into the SlideRoom application where indicated.

Unofficial transcripts or documents printed from an on-line student system will not be accepted. Failure to upload scans of official transcripts in both application forms may significantly delay the release of a final admission decision.

When completing the USC Graduate application, it is important to pay special attention to the following items that you will find in the “program materials” section of the application:

• Thornton SlideRoom portal – A link to access the Thornton SlideRoom portal will be provided in this section.
• The Documents tab – Documents submitted in this section will not be accessible to the Thornton faculty. Thornton faculty will only be able to review documents submitted via the Thornton SlideRoom portal. In order to complete this section, you must check the box indicating that you do not wish to upload documents in this section.
• The Questions tab – Enter your SlideRoom Confirmation number where indicated (you will receive your SlideRoom confirmation number upon submission of the SlideRoom form).

Click here for important additional requirements and instructions.

A link to the SlideRoom portal is located inside the USC Application for Graduate Admission, in the “Program Materials” Section.

The SlideRoom application fee is $25 (fee waivers are not available). Thornton supplemental materials will not be accepted via mail or email.

The SlideRoom form must be submitted before the USC Application for Graduate Admission (Applicants can start both forms and work on them at the same time). Once SlideRoom is submitted, you will need to enter your SlideRoom confirmation number into the “Questions” tab, also located in the “program materials” section of the USC Graduate application.

Applicants to the Jazz Studies program must submit video recordings to be prescreened by the faculty. Only video recordings are acceptable. The results of this prescreen will determine whether an applicant will be invited to perform a live audition. Prescreen results will be sent to applicants via email in late December.

Current USC Thornton students applying for a graduate program are not required to submit a prescreen recording, however they must indicate on the application that they are a current Thornton student or they will not automatically be scheduled for a live audition. Current USC students are encouraged to contact Kit Bellamy (keb@usc.edu) in the Thornton Admission office with any questions or concerns regarding audition scheduling.

Master’s and Graduate Certificate

The prescreen recordings must include three to five selections of contrasting styles from the standard jazz repertoire. All selections must be on the applicant’s primary instrument or voice.

Instrumentalists must include Thelonious Monk’s “Ask Me Now” and Herbie Hancock’s “One Finger Snap” as two of the selections on their audition recording. One original composition is highly encouraged.

• Lead trumpet players must also include two lead trumpet excerpts of contrasting styles (e.g. up-tempo, ballad) from the big band literature.
• Bassists should play the head, a walking bass line and a solo for each of the three to five selections. Bassists should also include four 2-octave major scales and four 2-octave minor scales; two of each should be played arco, two of each should be played pizzicato.
• Drummers must play through the melody, the form and a solo for each selection on the recording. Drummers should also include several bars of a rhythm pattern in each of the following styles: swing, be-bop, latin, funk and rock. Drummers should also demonstrate the use of brushes on one or more of the selections included on the recording.
• Pianists, reed players and brass players should be sure to play the melody and an improvised solo on all selections.

Vocalists must prepare five required pieces as described below, with either live accompaniment or backing track.

1. “Prelude to a Kiss” (ballad tempo) – Vocalist must perform the first chorus a cappella, have the band enter on the second chorus, on which the vocalist will improvise. On the third and final chorus, the vocalist will return to the lyrics and interpret the melody.
2. “I Thought About You” (med-up swing ) – Vocalist must perform the melody of the song, one chorus of improvisation, and return to the melody on the head out.
3. “Anthropology” (up tempo – quarter note at 220 BPM) – Vocalist must perform the melody, followed by one or two choruses of improvisation, and the head out. Vocalist must use scat syllables (wordless).
4. “Desafinado” (medium-up tempo quarter note at 160): Vocalist must perform the melody of the song, one chorus of improvisation, and the head out. May sing in English, Portuguese, or use scat syllables (wordless).
5. Contrasting Jazz Song of your choice (non-ballad tempo): Standard, Latin, contemporary.
6. Original song (optional) – one original song (composed by applicant) is welcome (not required).

Doctor of Musical Arts

The prescreen recording must include three to five selections of contrasting styles from the standard jazz repertoire. All selections must be on the applicant’s primary instrument.

Instrumentalists must include John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps” and Thelonious Monk’s “Evidence” as two of the selections on their audition recording. One original composition is highly encouraged.

• Lead trumpet players must also include two lead trumpet excerpts of contrasting styles (e.g. up-tempo, ballad) from the big band literature.
• Bassists should play the head, a walking bass line and a solo for each of the three to five selections. Bassists should also include four 2-octave major scales and four 2-octave minor scales; two of each should be played arco, two of each should be played pizzicato.
• Drummers must play through the melody, the form and a solo for each selection on the recording. Drummers should also include several bars of a rhythm pattern in each of the following styles: swing, be-bop, latin, funk and rock. Drummers should also demonstrate the use of brushes on one or more of the selections included on the recording.
• Pianists, reed players and brass players should be sure to play the melody and an improvised solo on all selections.

Vocalists must prepare five required pieces as described below, with either live accompaniment or backing track.

1. “Prelude to a Kiss” (ballad tempo) – Vocalist must perform the first chorus a cappella, have the band enter on the second chorus, on which the vocalist will improvise. On the third and final chorus, the vocalist will return to the lyrics and interpret the melody.
2. “I Thought About You” (med-up swing ) – Vocalist must perform the melody of the song, one chorus of improvisation, and return to the melody on the head out.
3. “Anthropology” (up tempo – quarter note at 220 BPM) – Vocalist must perform the melody, followed by one or two choruses of improvisation, and the head out. Vocalist must use scat syllables (wordless).
4. “Desafinado” (medium-up tempo quarter note at 160): Vocalist must perform the melody of the song, one chorus of improvisation, and the head out. May sing in English, Portuguese, or use scat syllables (wordless).
5. Contrasting Jazz Song of your choice (non-ballad tempo): Standard, Latin, contemporary.
6. Original song (optional) – one original song (composed by applicant) is welcome (not required).

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent at the time of enrollment. If your undergraduate degree is in an area other than music, you may still apply to the Thornton MM jazz studies-composition program. Applicants should have advanced theory and orchestration knowledge and have written compositions for both small and large ensembles. Although consideration of admission is primarily based on the composition portfolio and final interview, applicants should also have adequate performance-level skill on their chosen instrument.

The results of this prescreen will determine whether an applicant will advance to the Final Round. Prescreen results will be sent to applicants via email in late December. Final Round zoom interviews are typically held in February.

Applicants for the MM Jazz composition program must submit the following:

Composition Portfolio Requirement

Applicants must upload 5 compositions written within the last 2 years:

• Two of the compositions must be written for full big band (4 trumpet, 4 trombones, 5 saxes and rhythm section).
• Two of these selections should be for an ensemble of no less than 10 members.
• One composition in a “non-jazz” genre.
• Recordings of all 5 compositions. Live recordings are preferred, but if they are not available, MIDI or software generated recordings are acceptable. Recordings must be uploaded in .mp4 or WAV format.
• Compositions should be uploaded in PDF format.

Performance Review Requirement

MM Jazz composition applicants must also upload 3 videos of their instrumental or vocal performance to be prescreened by the faculty. Only video recordings are acceptable. Prescreen recordings must include three selections of contrasting styles from the standard jazz repertoire showing melody and improvisation. However, one original composition is highly encouraged.

Video Statement Requirement

Applicants must prepare a brief video stating their professional goals, as well as their purpose in applying for the Jazz Studies program. The video should be no more than 2 minutes in length.

The résumé should list musical, professional, and academic experience and is generally 1-2 pages in length.

This list should include works studied and performed. Etudes, scale studies, arias, art songs, chamber music, solo pieces, and original compositions are all examples of what could be included in this list.

Graduate applicants are encouraged to prepare a brief statement of their professional goals, as well as their purpose in applying for the Jazz Studies program. The Statement of Purpose is typically 1-2 pages in length.

All Thornton graduate applicants must upload transcripts into both the USC Graduate Application (Liaison) AND Thornton SlideRoom Application. The transcript submission deadline is December 1st. Please carefully read the instructions below.

Step 1– You must obtain official transcripts from the registrar’s office of each of your prior institutions before you can complete and submit the application forms. This may take some time, please plan accordingly.

Step 2– Upload Scans (PDF format) of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended into the SlideRoom application where indicated.

Step 3– Upload Scans (PDF format) of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended into the “Academic History” section of the USC Graduate application (Liaison).

Unofficial transcripts or documents printed from an on-line student system will not be accepted. Failure to upload scans of official transcripts in both application forms may significantly delay the release of a final admission decision.

1-3 recommendation letters are required from graduate Jazz Studies applicants. Recommendation letters are to be submitted online through the Thornton SlideRoom portal via the “References” section by December 1. We cannot guarantee the review of any material received after December 1.

A “Doctoral Introductory Video” must be submitted through SlideRoom by December 1st.

USC Thornton recognizes that DMA and PhD graduates are expected not only to be elite performers and scholarly experts in their fields, but also exceptional and versatile teachers, inspiring and innovative leaders, and consummate musicians with strong complementary skills. This is a tall order, and it necessitates a well-honed individualized academic portfolio. To this end, USC Thornton requires every Doctoral student to declare, in addition to the major field, an academic field and two elective fields, one of which may be a field outside of music. The purpose of this multidisciplinary approach is to support each student’s personal and artistic development in a way that will be well-aligned with her/his professional goals.

As a reflection of the individualized nature of the USC Thornton Doctoral programs, DMA and PhD applicants are required to submit a single-take, unedited, and preferably unscripted video of no more than four minutes. The DMA program at Thornton aims to nurture and build a community of Artist-Scholars and Scholar-Artists.  What does this term mean to you? And what are your goals in pursuing this degree? What academic and elective areas would you be interested in pursuing beyond your major?

Information about the DMA curriculum, including academic and elective field options can be found here.

Applicants to the Thornton School will be required to complete and upload the following form in SlideRoom:

• Consent and Release Form (if applicant is under 18 years of age by December 1, 2024)

For helpful Slideroom media upload troubleshooting tips, please click here.

At the live auditions, a rhythm section will be provided and instrumentalists should perform the same repertoire that was included on their prescreen recording. Applicants must bring legible lead sheets for all of their prepared tunes to the audition.

All Jazz applicants must also be prepared to demonstrate skills in jazz improvisation and sight-reading at the audition. Drummers must also carefully note that they must bring their own sticks to the audition.

Vocalists MUST BRING FOUR (4) PRINTED COPIES OF ALL MUSIC in their chosen key for the live in-person audition, and must be ready to count-off the band.

1. “Round Midnight” (ballad tempo) – Vocalist must perform the first chorus a cappella, have the band enter on the second chorus, on which the vocalist will improvise. On the third and final chorus, the vocalist will return to the lyrics and interpret the melody.
2. “Like Someone In Love” (med-up swing) – Vocalists must perform the melody, improvise two choruses, and return to the lyrics on the head out.
3. One Contrasting Jazz Song of your choice (non-ballad tempo) – Vocalists must perform one Standard, Latin, or contemporary piece. We encourage vocalists to bring their own (notated) arrangement of the song of choice.

In addition to the requirements listed above, the live audition for Vocalists will also include:

• Improvisation over a Blues (up tempo) – Vocalists will improvise three choruses on a minor Blues (in their preferred key).
• Sight-reading – Vocalists will be asked to sight-read a short musical selection.
• Theory/Harmony/Ear Training – Vocalists will be asked questions that help assess their knowledge of theory, harmony, and ear training.

The MM jazz composition final round consists of the following:

Composition Audition Project

• All applicants who are invited to the final round will be asked to compose a short piece based on provided prompts. Once an applicant is notified that they passed the prescreen round, detailed instructions will be provided at that time.
• Composition Audition Project Deadline: Friday January 24, 2025

Zoom Interview

• A remote interview via Zoom. There is no performance component to this final round on zoom. During the interview, applicants should be prepared to discuss aspects of their portfolio compositions as well as their “Composition Audition Project”.

DMA applicants to Jazz Studies must take Thornton’s Graduate Academic Admission Examination. The examination will be administered via an online platform on January 18, 2025 from 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM Pacific Standard Time. Applicants will receive materials to be reviewed in preparation for the exam about two weeks prior to the exam date. Additional details will be sent in mid-December to those applicants who are required to take the exam.

This written examination reflects the types of critical inquiry with which graduate-level courses at USC Thornton engage. The examination will be assessed by academic faculty as a measure of an applicant’s readiness for the academic rigors and multi-disciplinary structure of Thornton graduate programs. This assessment will be one of several important components considered by the faculty in order to reach a final admission decision for each applicant.

The examination will be administered in two sequential sections:

1. Conceptual Essay: Applicants will be given an essay prompt about an issue or issues in the music profession today. Applicants will be asked to write a short essay exploring various aspects of the topic(s) introduced by the prompt, responding to specific questions and drawing on their own experience, knowledge, and opinions as appropriate.
2. Analytical Essay: Applicants will be given a scholarly/literary text on a music-related topic. Applicants will be asked to respond in essay form to a series of analytical questions relating to the text provided. The analytical issues may concern basic music theory (possibly with reference to a short example in musical notation), music history, and/or aesthetics.

It is important to note that Thornton’s Graduate Academic Admission Examination is not an examination for which students are generally able to study or prepare. It is not designed to examine factual knowledge, but rather the ability to think analytically and express critical thought in academic language, as this is the type of work that is required for graduate-level academic courses at USC Thornton. While the content of Thornton’s Graduate Academic Admission Examination may be drawn from a wide range of scholarly sources, it may be helpful to refer to the following publications by our own faculty:

• Barrett, Janet & Webster, Peter: The Musical Experience: Rethinking Music Teaching and Learning.
• Brown, Bruce: W. A. Mozart: Così fan tutte (Cambridge Opera Handbook)
• Coppola, William, Herbert, David, & Campbell, Patricia: World Music Pedagogy: Teaching World Music in Higher Education.
• Demers, Joanna: Anatomy of Thought-Fiction: CHS Report, April 2214
• Foster, Kenneth J: Performing Arts Presenting: From Theory to Practice
• Garcia Corona, León: & Wiens, Kathy: Voices of the Field: Pathways in Public Ethnomusicology.
• Gordon, Stewart: Beethoven’s 32 Piano Sonatas: A Handbook for Performers
• Nye, Sean: “Sprockets + Autobahn: Kraftwerk Parodies, German Electronic Music, and Retro Dreams in Amerika.” In Dreams of Germany: Musical Imaginaries from the Concert Hall to the Dance Floor. Neil Gregor and Thomas Irvine, eds.
• Page, Tim: On Music: Views and Reviews
• Russo, Frank, Ilari, Beatriz, & Cohen, Annabel: Routledge Companion of Interdisciplinary Research in Singing
• Simms, Bryan: The Atonal Music of Arnold Schoenberg, 1908-1923
• Sloan, Nate. Switched on Pop (blog with Charlie Harding). http://www.switchedonpop.com.
• Vest, Lisa: Awangarda: Tradition and Modernity in Postwar Polish Music