Choral Ensembles
Ensembles include the Thornton Chamber Singers, Concert Choir, Apollo Chorus, Oriana Choir, University Chorus, and Repertory Singers. All singers are encouraged to participate in the Repertory Singers, which is an ensemble devoted to all graduate recitals and offers the opportunity to prepare large amounts of repertoire at a high level and in a short amount of time. Music majors are expected to participate in the two auditioned choirs— Chamber Singers or Concert Choir. Whether you are a beginning or experienced singer, there is a choir for you.
To schedule a voice placement and learn more about choirs at USC, visit the Choral & Sacred Music page and click on “Sing with Us.” If you have any questions, contact us at singon@usc.edu or (213) 821-5756.
Strings, Woodwinds, Brass, and Percussion
All strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion majors must audition for orchestra placement.
Contact Michael Basak, Orchestra Manager, at mbasak@usc.edu for audition information.
Studio Guitar (Graduate) and Jazz Studies Guitar (Undergraduate)
New Studio Guitar (graduate) and Jazz Studies Guitar (undergraduate) students must audition for ensemble placement with the guitar faculty.
For audition information, contact the Division of Contemporary Music office at contemporary.music@usc.edu.
Jazz Studies
All new and continuing Jazz Studies students must audition for ensemble placement. Non-majors can audition for Jazz and Vocal Jazz ensembles. For audition information, contact the Division of Contemporary Music office at contemporary.music@usc.edu.
Popular Music
For audition information, contact the Division of Contemporary Music office at contemporary.music@usc.edu. New Popular Music students will be required to attend rehearsal room orientation before they are granted room reservation access.
Opera
For audition information, contact the Opera Office at (213) 740-6451 or uscopera@usc.edu. Visit the Opera Program website for additional information.
Freshmen Vocal Arts majors who wish to audition for the Opera Program must first obtain permission from their voice teachers.
Vocal Arts
All new vocal arts students are required to sing for the voice faculty before the start of classes. The voice faculty use this as an opportunity to become reacquainted with new students as they collectively plan for the new year. Please prepare 2 memorized songs or arias of contrasting styles; the faculty may only choose to hear one. Collaborative pianists from the Thornton graduate program will be assigned to each singer for the performance along with a short warm-up.
Questions may be directed to the Vocal Arts Office at (213) 740-7704 or shafiee@usc.edu.