Jazz Studies

Applicants to programs in Jazz Studies 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.

The video audition 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. See below for additional prescreen repertoire requirements:

Instrumentalists (except guitar – see below) must include “Airegin” by Sonny Rollins and “Blues for Alice” by Charlie Parker as two of the selections on their audition recording.

• 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.

Guitarists must include at least one selection from the standard jazz repertoire (such as All The Things You Are or jazz classics such as Take the “A” Train) and at least one selection should be a solo performance played in chord-melody style (harmonized in the solo guitar style of Joe Pass or George Van Eps). Guitarists must also include a one-minute verbal introduction in the prescreening video, providing answers to the following questions:

• What are your goals and aspirations in pursuing a career in music?
• What do you expect to gain from and contribute to the Jazz Guitar program?

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

1. “Body and Soul” (ballad tempo) – Vocalist must perform the first 16 measures of the head a cappella. The band (accompaniment) should enter on the bridge. Two choruses in total.
2. “There Is No Greater Love” or “There Will Never Be Another You” (med-swing tempo) – Vocalist must perform the melody of the song, one chorus of improvisation, and return to the melody on the head out.
3. “Au Privave” or “Ornithology” (up tempo) – Vocalist must perform the melody of the song, one or two choruses of improvisation, and the head out, using scat syllables (wordless).
4. One Contrasting Jazz Song of your choice (non-ballad tempo) – Standard, Latin, contemporary.
5. Original Song (optional) – one original song (composed by applicant).

All applicants to undergraduate Thornton programs are required to submit a single-take, unedited, and preferably unscripted 1-2 minute video that offers a brief personal introduction and answers the following question: How do you envision using your USC Thornton education to become a force for positive change in the evolution of the music profession and music as an art form?

The music profession is changing, and we’re changing with it. USC Thornton’s undergraduate music curriculum maintains a rigorous foundation of the finest musical training, while also offering flexibility for students to chart their own artistic pathway. We aim to create musical leaders who can not only take advantage of traditional opportunities, but also discover new ones – and even create their own. All four years are aimed at the two things most important to musicians: taking their musicianship to the highest levels and preparing for a thriving professional life.

One of the components of this forward-thinking curriculum is the option of a senior capstone that allows students to develop and fully realize a unique project related to their work as musicians. This could involve developing a hybrid performance, conducting original research, exploring new technologies, or applying creative expression to a pressing social issue.

To help us get to know our applicants and their unique identity as young musicians, all applicants to undergraduate programs in the Thornton School are required to submit (via SlideRoom) a single-take, unedited, and preferably unscripted video of no more than two minutes. In this video applicants must answer the following question: If you were pitching your capstone project idea today, what is the project you would propose and why?”

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.

Current USC students are required to submit an unofficial USC transcript and “Registered Course List” available through myUSC.

To access your “Unofficial Transcript,” log into myUSC (my.usc.edu) and click “OASIS.” Under “Course Information,” select “Unofficial Transcript,” which is the history of your completed courses including units and grades. Important note: the STARS report will not be accepted in lieu of the “Unofficial Transcript.”

• Note: If you are currently enrolled in your first semester at USC and have not yet completed any courses, upload a PDF document with the following statement: “I am currently enrolled in my first semester at USC and have not yet completed any courses at USC.”

To access your “Registered Course List,” log into myUSC (my.usc.edu) and click “OASIS.” Click “Continue” to access your course information and then select “Registered Course List.”

• Note: you only need to upload your registered courses for the current fall semester.

Optional letters of recommendation for the Thornton School may be submitted through the SlideRoom References section. Important notes for optional letters of recommendation:

• Any optional letters of recommendation you want reviewed by the faculty must be submitted via the Thornton SlideRoom References form by the appropriate deadline (December 1 for fall admission). We cannot guarantee the review of any material received after the deadline.
• Any recommendations sent via mail or email will not be reviewed by the faculty.

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.

In addition to the specific repertoire requirements as indicated below, all applicants must also be prepared to demonstrate skills in jazz improvisation and sight-reading at the live audition.

Instrumentalists (except guitar – see below) must perform the same repertoire that was included on their prescreen recording.

Guitarists must perform the following repertoire:

• Solo performance of a standard song or a jazz classic (standard songs such as All The Things You Are or jazz classics such as Take the “A” Train) played in the chord-melody style (harmonized in the solo guitar style of Joe Pass or George Van Eps).
• Performance of a standard song or a jazz classic. Applicants should be prepared to play the melody, play an improvised solo on the form, and then play rhythm accompaniment for another soloist. This selection will be performed either in a duo setting with a faculty member or a trio setting with bass and drums.
• Major and minor scales and modes covering the entire fingerboard (at the discretion of the faculty and time permitting).
• Major and minor triads on four different string sets, seventh chord voicings and extended harmonies (at the discretion of the faculty and time permitting).
• Sight reading (notes, rhythms or chords with harmonic rhythms).
• For applicants performing a live audition in-person on the USC campus: A bassist and a drummer from the program will be present to assist with your audition. Applicants will be asked to perform of jazz blues selection with the bassist and drummer.

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. Please see live audition requirements below:

1. “Darn That Dream” (ballad tempo) – Vocalists must perform one chorus of the melody.
2. “All of Me” (med-swing) – Vocalists must perform the melody and improvise one chorus.
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 (med-up) – Vocalists will improvise three choruses on a major 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.

Important note for all Jazz applicants performing a live audition in-person on the USC campus: Accompaniment will be provided and applicants must bring legible lead sheets for all of their prepared tunes to the audition. Drummers must also carefully note that they must bring their own sticks to the audition.