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.
Several music programs varying in breadth and depth do exist among the 12 local schools that USC has identified as the Family of Schools. However, none of them provide a comprehensive music education. In fact, when considering the total number of students in the area, only a few attend weekly school-based music classes. This realization prompted members of the community to request help from the Thornton School of Music.
With this in mind, the USC Thornton Outreach Program has established an ongoing partnership with local schools where Thornton majors in performance, composition, music industry and music education offer many music opportunities for these children. In just three years, this program has grown to include over 70 USC Thornton student teachers reaching over 2,500 children in the community annually.
Here are some of the programs currently being offered in the USC Thornton Outreach program: Adventures In Music, Violin Class, Elementary Choir, Drumline, GuitarMasters/Guitar Class, Resident Outreach Ensemble Competition, and Meet The Instruments.
Also a part of the program is JazzReach, a program that focuses on instrumental and vocal jazz teaching opportunities for USC Jazz students. Some of the ensembles organized by this program are the Foshay Band, Moffet Choir, 32nd St Choir, and the Foshay Vocal Ensemble.
"USC Thornton Outreach Program in 10 Minutes" – Click to view a short presentation in PDF format.
The USC Thornton School of Music also has established the Midori Center for Community Engagement.
Upcoming Events
Drum Day 2008, Sunday, February 24 from 1:00-5:30 p.m.
Featuring USC Thornton Clinicians including Ndugu Chancler, Erik Forrester and the USC Trojan Marching Band Drumline. RSVP to reserve a spot or to get more information, call 213-821-5375. Join us for free pizza, fun giveaways and, of course, lots of drumming!
Contact Information
For details about Thornton Outreach Program, please contact Dr. Susan Helfter at (213) 740-3129 or
helfter@thornton.usc.edu.
The USC Thornton Outreach Program is made possible by generous support from:
