Studio Guitar

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 October 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 graduate program in Studio Guitar must submit video recordings (audio-only will not be accepted) for prescreening by the faculty. The results of this prescreen will determine whether an applicant is invited to perform a live audition on the USC campus in Los Angeles.

Both the prescreen recording and the live audition may be performed on electric or acoustic guitar-or both, if appropriate. (Note: If you travel by air, it is only necessary to bring an electric guitar.)

Prescreen video recording performances may be self-accompanied, performed with live musicians, or with a band, as long as the applicant is clearly featured. Use of pre-recorded accompaniment is permitted.

Recordings should highlight the applicant’s performance, artistry, and creativity. Videos do not need to be professionally produced but must clearly reflect the applicant’s actual playing. The applicant should be fully visible in the frame at all times, with a clear view of both the hands and upper body. Do not use pitch corrections, timing adjustment, or other studio effects. Each selection should be performed in one take, without editing.

For all Grad applicants, the prescreen recordings should include the following:

All graduate applicants must submit prescreen recordings that include approximately twenty minutes of solo and ensemble performances. This should take at least two standard songs (e.g., “All the Things You Are” or jazz classics such as “Take the ‘A’ Train) and at least one original composition. Applicants are encouraged to include additional styles – such as contemporary pop/rock, blues, folk-rock, R&B/urban country, or fusion – or any genre that best showcases their musical strengths.

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.

All applicants must include a one-minute verbal introduction video to be uploaded to the Thornton SlideRoom portal, 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 Popular Music and Guitar programs?

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 Studio Guitar 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 October 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 Studio Guitar applicants. Recommendation letters are to be submitted online through the Thornton SlideRoom portal via the “References” section by October 1. We cannot guarantee the review of any material received after October 1.

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.

Live auditions are typically 15 minutes in length. Applicants should prepare selections according to the guidelines below. Pieces may be the same as those submitted in the prescreen video or entirely different. The faculty panel may request complete performances or excerpts, and reserves the right to adjust the audition format as needed to best assess the applicant’s potential

Auditions may be performed on electric or acoustic guitar – or both if appropriate. (Note: If traveling by air, it is only necessary to bring an electric guitar.)

USC Thornton will provide amplifiers and audio playback equipment (with auxiliary input). Please bring your own instrument cable and tune your instrument before entering the audition room. Pedals are welcome, but please note that any additional setup time will be deducted from your audition.

Applicants should be prepared for the following at their live audition:

• Sight-reading of a selection to be provided by a USC Thornton representative at the audition.
• Solo performance of a standard or jazz classic (e.g., “All the Things You Are” or “Take the ‘A’ Train”) in chord-melody style – harmonized in the tradition of solo guitarists such as Joe Pass or George Van Eps.
• Ensemble performance of a standard or a jazz classic. Applicants should be prepared to play the melody, improvise over the form, and comp for another soloist. This will take place in either a duo setting with a faculty member or a trio setting with bass and drums.
• A bassist and drummer from the program will be provided to support the ensemble portion of the audition.
• Performance of jazz blues selection with the provided rhythm section.
• Optional: Additional material demonstrating other areas of expertise or stylistic focus – such as contemporary jazz, fusion, pop, rock, bluegrass, or blues. These may be performed with a rhythm section (if available) or with pre-recorded accompaniment.
• Major and minor scales and modes covering the full fingerboard (at the discretion of the faculty and time permitting).
• Major and minor triads across four string sets, along with seventh chord voicings, and extended harmonies (at the discretion of the faculty and time permitting).