Community Music
Master of Music (MM)
Graduate Fall Application Deadline
December 1
Current USC Thornton Student?
Click here for additional information
Graduate Application Requirements for Fall Admission
This section is for fall applicants to the Music Teaching and Learning Department’s degree – Master of Music, Community Music. Applications are not accepted for Spring admission to this program. If you are interested in applying for an MM or DMA in Music Teaching and Learning, please click here to view those requirements.
Preferred qualifications for Community Music:
- Bachelor’s degree in Music (or equivalent coursework to include applied music study, music ensemble performance, music history, music theory, music electives)
- Minimum of two years facilitating or teaching in a community-based music program
The faculty will contact applicants to set up an individual or group interview, likely to be conducted via Zoom. This interview could take place at any point during the application review period. The faculty may also ask for additional information from the applicant after an initial review of the materials originally submitted with the application.
For additional information regarding the degree programs, please contact Dr. William Coppola, Chair of Music Teaching and Learning, at wcoppola@usc.edu. For further information with applications, please contact Thornton Admission at uscmusic@usc.edu or (213) 740-8986.
All applicants are required to submit two separate application forms:
- USC Application for Graduate Admission
- Thornton’s SlideRoom application form
The total application fee is $130 ($105 for the USC Graduate Application and $25 for the SlideRoom Media/Materials upload). All required materials must be received by December 1 (Applicants are encouraged to submit all materials by November 1 to allow greater time for faculty review). Application materials will not be accepted via mail or email. If both required application forms are not submitted by the December 1st deadline, your application will be removed from consideration.
Applicants experiencing hardship or extenuating circumstances due to natural disaster or public health concerns in their local area that may affect their ability to satisfy application requirements may contact the Thornton Office of Admission at uscmusic@usc.edu to explore possible accommodations. Though we cannot guarantee that accommodations/exceptions will be possible, applicants are encouraged to contact the Admission Office as soon as possible to allow the maximum amount of time to consider the options.
Applying For
Fall Admission
Auditions Required?
No.
Questions?
Email: uscmusic@usc.edu | Phone: (213)740-8986
Complete the USC Application
Applicants must complete the USC Graduate Application and submit all other application materials required by the December 1st deadline.
USC Graduate Application Fee
The application fee for the USC Graduate application is $105. 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.
Transcripts
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.
Program Materials Section
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).
International Applicants
Click here for important additional requirements and instructions.
Complete the SlideRoom Portfolio
All applicants must complete the Thornton SlideRoom portfolio by the December 1st deadline.
All Thornton supplemental materials must be uploaded through SlideRoom, which you will access through the link provided in the “Program Materials” section of the USC Graduate Application.
Applicants to the MM in Community Music must include the following items as part of Thornton’s SlideRoom Application:
SlideRoom Requirements
SlideRoom Application Portal
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.
Scholarly Writing Sample
This should consist of a literature review, essay or other research-based report in the field of Community Music.
Teaching Video
A video recording of the applicant teaching in a community music setting, for the purpose of evaluating teaching skills and level of experience. The video recording should be approximately 15 minutes in length.
Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
This should include musical, professional and academic experience.
MTAL Personal Introductory Video
All MTAL applicants must prepare a 3-5 minute introductory video where they express why they are interested in this degree, why Thornton is a good fit, and what their career plans are.
Transcripts
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.
Letters of Recommendation
3 recommendation letters are required from Community Music applicants. Letters should speak to musicianship and potential as a teacher and community music facilitator/leader/administrator.
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.
TOEFL or IELTS Scores (International Applicants Only)
TOEFL or IELTS scores are required from International applicants for whom English is a second language. Please include your scores on the application form where indicated, and be sure that an official score report is sent to USC’s Graduate Admission office by the application deadline. Minimum test score requirements and other relevant information can be found here. Please note that scores well beyond the minimum acceptable are preferable.
Waiver and Release of Liability Form
Applicants to the Thornton School will be required to complete and upload the following form in SlideRoom:
Slideroom Media Troubleshooting Tips
- For helpful Slideroom media upload troubleshooting tips, please click here.