Classical Guitar
Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Arts
Note: This information applies only to classical guitar applicants. For studio/jazz guitar, please refer to the studio/jazz guitar requirements.
All of the materials listed below must be received by the December 1st deadline. Any application not complete by December 1 may be removed from consideration.
Required items:
- USC Undergraduate Application- the following documents will also be submitted online with the USC application:
- Resumé
- Repertoire List
- Statement of Objectives
- Materials to be delivered to USC Admission (click here for the "USC Contact Us" page, then select "USC Office of Admission" to obtain the correct mailing address)
- Official transcripts
- SAT or ACT test scores
- TOEFL score report - required from all applicants for whom English is a second language, regardless of educational background or immigration status)
- Prescreen Recording – to be mailed directly to the Thornton Admission Office (see address below)
USC Thornton Office of Admission
927 West 35th Street- PIC 212
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0021
**Please do not send any additional materials to the USC Thornton Office of Admission.
Audition Information
Fall applicants to programs in classical guitar must submit an audition recording (in either CD or DVD format) to be pre-screened by the faculty. The results of this pre-screen will determine whether or not an applicant will be invited to perform a live audition on the USC campus in Los Angeles.
Recordings must be received by the Thornton admission office by the December 1st deadline to be pre-screened by the faculty. The recording must be labeled with the following information:
First and Last Name Date of Birth USC ID# Program to which you are applying (i.e. BM Music Industry: Oboe) Year you are applying for (i.e. Fall 2010) Anticipated Class standing (Freshman, Transfer, or Grad)
The submitted recording must contain two pieces of contrasting character and thosee pieces must be from different style periods. Ideally, one piece should be composed before 1900 and the other should be composed after 1900. The recording should be about 12 minutes long.
It is not necessary that the repertoire submitted as pre-screening material be included in what will be performed at the live audition and the pre-screening material does not need to conform to the live audition repertoire requirement described below.
In the event that a student is not able to perform the live audition at USC, s/he may request that a pre-screen DVD recording be considered in lieu of the live audition. It is extremely important to note, however, that only a DVD recording which includes both the required pre-screen audition repertoire and the required live audition repertoire would be considered in lieu of a live audition. CD recordings will not be considered in lieu of a live audition nor will any recording that does not include the required live audition repertoire.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Undergraduate applications are not accepted for Spring admission to this program unless the applicant is already enrolled at USC. Current USC students for spring admission are not required to submit a recording for pre-screening. Spring applicants must contact the Classical Guitar department directly at (213) 740-7399 to arrange for an audition.
Live Audition Repertoire
Three selections of contrasting styles from the standard solo literature should be prepared for the live audition. If any of the selections are taken from a multi-movement sonata or concerto, applicants need only prepare one movement of the piece. In addition, applicants should be prepared to demonstrate knowledge of both apoyando (rest stroke) and tirando (free stroke), as well as be prepared to play a 3 octave major or minor scale and selections from the Giuliani 120 Studies for the Right Hand. Sightreading may also be required at the time of audition.
Graduate Certificate, Master of Music
Note: This information applies only to classical guitar applicants. For studio/jazz guitar, please refer to the studio/jazz guitar requirements.
Required items:
- USC Graduate Application to be submitted with the following documents online
- Résumé
- Repertoire List
- Statement of Objectives
- 1-3 Letters of Recommendation (see the USC online application for instructions on how to submit)
- Materials to be delivered to USC Admission (click here for the correct mailing address)
- Official transcripts
- TOEFL score report - required from all MM applicants for whom English is a second language, regardless of educational background or immigration status
- Prescreen Recording – to be mailed directly to the Thornton Admission Office (see address below)
USC Thornton Office of Admission
927 West 35th Street- PIC 212
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0021
**Please do not send any additional materials to the USC Thornton Office of Admission.
Audition Information
Fall applicants to programs in classical guitar must submit an audition recording (in either CD or DVD format) to be pre-screened by the faculty. The results of this pre-screen will determine whether or not an applicant will be invited to perform a live audition on the USC campus in Los Angeles.
Recordings must be received by the Thornton admission office by the December 1st deadline to be pre-screened by the faculty. The recording must be labeled with the following information:
First and Last Name Date of Birth USC ID# Program to which you are applying (i.e. BM Music Industry: Oboe) Year you are applying for (i.e. Fall 2010) Anticipated Class standing (Freshman, Transfer, or Grad)
The submitted recording must contain at least two or three pieces of contrasting character and those pieces must be from different style periods. Ideally, one piece should be composed before 1900 and the other should be composed after 1900. The recording should be about 12 minutes long.
It is not necessary that the repertoire submitted as pre-screening material be included in what will be performed at the live audition and the pre-screening material does not need to conform to the live audition repertoire requirement described below.
In the event that a student is not able to perform the live audition at USC, s/he may request that a pre-screen DVD recording be considered in lieu of the live audition. It is extremely important to note, however, that only a DVD recording which includes both the required pre-screen audition repertoire and the required live audition repertoire would be considered in lieu of a live audition. CD recordings will not be considered in lieu of a live audition nor will any recording that does not include the required live audition repertoire.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Applicants for spring admission are not required to submit a recording for pre-screening. Spring applicants must contact the Classical Guitar department directly at (213) 740-7399 to arrange for an audition.
Live Audition Information
Thirty minutes of standard solo and/or ensemble pieces from the classical guitar literature should be prepared for the live audition.
Doctor of Musical Arts
Note: This information applies only to classical guitar applicants. For studio/jazz guitar, please refer to the studio/jazz guitar requirements.
All of the materials listed below must be received by the December 1st deadline. Any application not complete by December 1 may be removed from consideration.
Required items:
- USC Graduate Application to be submitted with the following documents online
- Statement of Objectives
- Résumé
- Repertoire List
- 1-3 Letters of Recommendation (see the USC online application for instructions on how to submit)
- Materials to be delivered to USC Admission (click here for the correct mailing address)
- Official transcripts
- GRE score report (general test only)
- TOEFL score report - required from all applicants for whom English is a second language, regardless of educational background or immigration status
- Prescreen Recording – to be mailed directly to the Thornton Admission Office (see address below)
USC Thornton Office of Admission
927 West 35th Street- PIC 212
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0021
**Please do not send any additional materials to the USC Thornton Office of Admission.
Audition Information
Fall applicants to programs in classical guitar must submit an audition recording (in either CD or DVD format) to be pre-screened by the faculty. The results of this pre-screen will determine whether or not an applicant will be invited to perform a live audition on the USC campus in Los Angeles.
Recordings must be received by the Thornton admission office by the December 1st deadline to be pre-screened by the faculty. The recording must be labeled with the following information:
First and Last Name Date of Birth USC ID# Program to which you are applying (i.e. BM Music Industry: Oboe) Year you are applying for (i.e. Fall 2010) Anticipated Class standing (Freshman, Transfer, or Grad)
The submitted recording must contain at least two or three pieces of contrasting character and those pieces must be from different style periods. Ideally, one piece should be composed before 1900 and the other should be composed after 1900. The recording should be about 12 minutes long.
It is not necessary that the repertoire submitted as pre-screening material be included in what will be performed at the live audition and the pre-screening material does not need to conform to the live audition repertoire requirement described below.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Applicants for spring admission are not required to submit a recording for pre-screening. Spring applicants must contact the Classical Guitar department directly at (213) 740-7399 to arrange for an audition.
Live Audition Information
Thirty minutes of standard solo and/or ensemble pieces from the classical guitar literature should be prepared for the live audition.
