The USC Thornton School of Music announces cancellation of Popular Music Senior Showcase

The USC Thornton School of Music has canceled the Popular Music Senior Showcase, scheduled to take place Friday, March 13 at the El Rey Theatre.

“We are so disappointed to have to cancel this event,” said Robert Cutietta, Dean of the USC Thornton School of Music. “We explored every option—from a performance without an audience, a live stream, and even a video recording project—but the safety of our students and larger community comes first.”

Every year, the Senior Showcase is a long-awaited culmination of the remarkable talents of our graduating artists, and it is a disappointment to forego this celebration during such a challenging time.

“The USC Thornton School of Music will make every effort, when circumstances permit, to create another opportunity to celebrate our students,” Cutietta said.

“What I told the Popular Music Senior Class is that these unfortunate circumstances do not define who or what you are as individuals, as a class, as a community, and as artists,” said Patrice Rushen, chair of the Popular Music program.

The University of Southern California and the USC Thornton School of Music will continue to follow the guidelines of our health experts and take every step possible to ensure the wellbeing of the campus community. To find updates on the university’s response to the coronavirus, click here.