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Thornton School of Music > Admission > Application Requirements > Studio/Jazz Guitar

Studio/Jazz Guitar

Bachelor of Music

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Note: This information applies only to studio/jazz guitar applicants. For classical guitar, please refer to the classical guitar requirements.

Required items:

  • USC Undergraduate Application
  • Thornton Supplementary Application
  • Audition recording for prescreening (Fall applicants only, see below)
  • Studio/Jazz Guitar Prescreen Information Form (PDF) (Fall applicants only)
  • Statement of Objectives
  • Resume
  • Repertoire List

Audition Information

Fall applicants to programs in studio/jazz guitar must submit an audition recording (in either VHS 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.

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. The prescreen recording MUST be submitted together with the Studio/Jazz Guitar Prescreen Information Form (PDF).

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.

Graduate Certificate, Master of Music

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Note: This information applies only to studio/jazz guitar applicants. For classical guitar, please refer to the classical guitar requirements.

Required items:

  • USC Graduate Application
  • Thornton Supplementary Application
  • Audition recording for prescreening (Fall applicants only, see below)
  • Studio/Jazz Guitar Prescreen Information Form (PDF) (Fall applicants only)
  • Statement of Objectives
  • Resume
  • 1-3 Letters of Recommendation
  • Repertoire List
  • TOEFL score report - required from all MM applicants to for whom English is a second language, regardless of educational background or immigration status

Audition Information

Fall applicants to programs in studio/jazz guitar must submit an audition recording (in either VHS 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.

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. The prescreen recording MUST be submitted together with the Studio/Jazz Guitar Prescreen Information Form (PDF).

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.

Doctor of Musical Arts

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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 (with only two exceptions, as indicated below) must be prepared in one packet and mailed directly to the Thornton Admission Office. The full packet must be received by the Thornton Admission Office by December 1. Any application not complete by December 1 may be removed from consideration.

Required items:

  • USC Graduate Application (submit online or directly to the USC Office of Admission)
  • Thornton Supplementary Application
  • Audition recording for prescreening (Fall applicants only, see below)
  • Studio/Jazz Guitar Prescreen Information Form (PDF) (Fall applicants only)
  • Statement of Objectives
  • Resume
  • 1-3 Letters of Recommendation (gathered by the applicant from each recommender in a sealed envelope with the recommender’s signature across the seal)
  • Transcripts (gathered by the applicant from the appropriate school(s) or university(-ies) in a sealed envelope)
  • Repertoire List
  • GRE score report (general test only) – the applicant must submit a copy of his/her personal score report to the Thornton Admission office, as well as arrange for ETS to send an official score report directly to the USC Admission office
  • TOEFL score report - required from all applicants for whom English is a second language, regardless of educational background or immigration status

Audition Information

Fall applicants to programs in studio/jazz guitar must submit an audition recording (in either VHS 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.

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. The prescreen recording MUST be submitted together with the Studio/Jazz Guitar Prescreen Information Form (PDF).

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.