By bringing together jazz, industry, technology, popular music, studio guitar, and film scoring into a single learning environment, USC Thornton’s Division of Contemporary Music has created the foundation of a professional network for our students.
“Through interaction, collaboration, and a dynamic curriculum, students in the Contemporary Music Division have hands-on experiences designed to prepare them for careers in music. All under the direction of a truly remarkable faculty, each one dedicated to our student’s development as artists, professionals, and human beings.
USC Thornton has a long tradition of innovative programs. We were among the first in the nation to offer degrees in jazz studies, studio guitar, film scoring, and music industry. This tradition continues with the recent addition of our Popular Music program. Along with our outstanding classical and academic programs, we are one of the most distinctive and comprehensive music programs you will find in the world.
The results of this experience can be found in the success of our alumni. Current and former students are Grammy nominees, in-demand producers, established film composers, touring musicians, recording artists, and accomplished educators.
So, I invite you to come to the USC campus to visit the Division of Contemporary Music and see for yourself—meet with our staff and faculty, sit-in on a class, attend a showcase or concert. As you get to know more, I believe you’ll understand why we take enormous pride in our programs and in USC. I hope to meet you soon!”
Christopher Sampson
Vice Dean
Contemporary Music
Find your area of study
Spotlights
-
An Open Letter to the Popular Music Class of 2020 (Part 2)
Popular Music sophomore and guest writer Jensen McRae concludes an amazing year with another round of life lessons.
-
Summer Vacations
As another amazing year ends, USC Thornton students like Paul Cornish and Matt Dievendorf look ahead to busy summers pursuing music and careers away from campus.
-
Gail Samuel named speaker for USC Thornton’s Commencement
The alumna and Board of Councilors member, currently acting president and chief executive officer of the LA Phil, will offer insight into artistic leadership.
News
Alan Pasqua featured in Bob Dylan’s Nobel Prize lecture
June 8, 2017
Jazz pianist and USC Thornton faculty member Alan Pasqua recently received an extraordinary request – to contribute improvisational background music for Bob Dylan’s 2016 Nobel Prize lecture, which was released as a video this week. Pasqua, who played in Dylan’s band in the 1970’s, had just one day to record… read more
