Note: This information applies only to studio/jazz guitar applicants. For classical guitar, please refer to the classical 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:
• Résumé
• 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 studio/jazz guitar must submit an audition recording (in 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. Applicants who do not provide the required pre-screening materials by the stated deadline will not be considered for an invitation to audition in person. 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)

Both the pre-screen recording and the live audition may be performed on electric or acoustic guitar, preferably both. (In the event of airline travel to the live audition, it is only necessary for you to bring an electric guitar) Knowledge of standard jazz literature is strongly recommended for this major.

On the pre-screen recording, applicants should include three selections. At least one of those selections should be from the standard jazz repertoire and at least one of the selections should be a solo performance played in chord-melody (i.e. harmonized) style.

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 Studio/Jazz Guitar department directly at (213) 740-7399 to arrange for an audition.

For the live audition, students should be prepared to do any or all of the following:

1. Major and minor scales and modes covering the entire fingerboard.
2. Major and minor triads on four different string sets, seventh chord voicings and extended harmonies.
3. Performance of a jazz classic or standard piece. Applicants should be prepared to play the melody in single-note style, improvise a solo and play rhythm accompaniment for the duo partner's solo (One of the attending faculty will serve as the duo partner at the live audition).
4. Solo performance of a song played in a chord-melody (i.e. harmonized) style.
5. Sight reading of a selection to be provided by the USC Thornton representative at the audition.
6. Optional: additional material that demonstrates other specific areas of expertise and interest.

Note: This information applies only to studio/jazz guitar applicants. For classical guitar, please refer to the classical 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 -the following documents will also be submitted online with the USC application:
• 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 to 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 studio/jazz guitar must submit an audition recording (in 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. Applicants who do not provide the required pre-screening materials by the stated deadline will not be considered for an invitation to audition in person. 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 pre-screen recording should include thirty minutes of standard solo and/or ensemble pieces from the studio/jazz guitar literature. The live audition will consist of some or all of the material included on the pre-screen recording and may also include sight-reading and other technical skills.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Applicants for spring admission are not required to submit a recording for pre-screening. Spring applicants must contact the Studio/Jazz Guitar department directly at (213) 740-7399 to arrange for an audition.

Note: This information applies only to studio/jazz guitar applicants. For classical guitar, please refer to the classical 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 -the following documents will also be submitted online with the USC application:
• 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 studio/jazz guitar must submit an audition recording (in 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. Applicants who do not provide the required pre-screening materials by the stated deadline will not be considered for an invitation to audition in person. 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 pre-screen recording should include thirty minutes of standard solo and/or ensemble pieces from the studio/jazz guitar literature. The live audition will consist of some or all of the material included on the pre-screen recording and may also include sight-reading and other technical skills.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Applicants for spring admission are not required to submit a recording for pre-screening. Spring applicants must contact the Studio/Jazz Guitar department directly at (213) 740-7399 to arrange for an audition.

Please visit our Audition page for more specific information regarding audition dates.