To complement the work of its students and faculty, the USC Thornton School of Music has developed many initiatives, seminars and other programs that are unique in the field of music education. Covering subjects as diverse as cello performance and pedagogy, overall career development, market research in the music industry and the history and scope of Polish music, the signature programs reinforce the USC Thornton School's leadership position among American schools of music.

Piatigorsky International Cello Festival

From March 9-18, 2012, the USC Thornton School of Music and the LA Phil in partnership with The Colburn School and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra brought together masters of the cello and young cellists from around the world for a unique celebration of the cello, its music, and its musicians.

Thornton Outreach Program

The USC Thornton Outreach Program is a diverse and far-reaching music education-oriented program that provides unique learning opportunities for children in the local community and significant service-learning opportunities for our students.

Los Angeles Philanthropic Committee
for the Arts Masterclass Series

Co-directed by Midori, chair of the Strings department, and Vocal Arts professor Rod Gilfry, the masterclass series is free and open to the community. Each masterclass presents a unique opportunity for students to interact with renowned visiting musicians on a wide range of topics.

Thornton Center Stage

The USC Thornton School of Music is the only college music school with a regularly broadcast radio program heard in a major media market. Thornton Center Stage is hosted by Alan Chapman and heard on Sundays at 9:00 p.m. on Classical KUSC 91.5 FM.

Polish Music Center

The Polish Music Center at the USC Thornton School of Music is the only institute of its kind outside of Poland. An exceptional resource for research in Polish music and culture, it houses a unique collection of manuscripts by leading Polish composers (Lutoslawski, Penderecki, Bacewicz and many others), in addition to over 10,000 library items, including scores, books, periodicals, and recordings of Polish music.

The USC International Artists Fellowship

USC recently announced the creation of the USC International Artists, a graduate fellowship for promising artists from across the Pacific Rim and key emerging societies of the world. The USC International Artists Fellowship will allow emerging artists to work with the university’s internationally acclaimed faculty in any of USC’s five preeminent arts schools—Architecture, Cinematic Arts, Fine Arts, Music and Theater, along with the Fisher Museum where historic, modern and contemporary art is on display.