Vocal Arts (Classical Voice/Opera)
Bachelor of Music
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Note: This information applies only to classical voice applicants. For jazz voice, please refer to the jazz studies requirements.
Required items:
- USC Undergraduate Application
- Thornton Supplementary Application
- Audition recording for prescreening (Fall applicants only, see below)
- Vocal Arts Prescreen Information Form (PDF) (Fall applicants only)
- Statement of Objectives
- Resume
- Repertoire List
Audition Information
Fall applicants to programs in vocal arts must submit either a CD or DVD recording to be pre-screened by the faculty. The results of the pre-screen will determine whether or not an applicant will be invited to perform a live audition on the USC campus in Los Angeles.
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 Vocal Arts department directly at (213) 740-7704 to arrange for an audition.
For both the pre-screen recording and the live audition, two selections of contrasting styles are required. These selections should be pieces from the standard solo voice literature. Applicants are encouraged to prepare at least one of these selections in a foreign language and all selections must be memorized. The same selections may be performed on the recording as for the live audition. The prescreen recording MUST be submitted together with the Vocal Arts Prescreen Information Form (PDF).
Accompanists will be provided for vocal arts applicants at the live auditions in Los Angeles.
Please visit our Audition page for more specific information regarding audition dates.
Graduate Certificate, Master of Music
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Note: This information applies only to classical voice applicants. For jazz voice, please refer to the jazz studies requirements.
Required items:
- USC Graduate Application
- Thornton Supplementary Application
- Audition recording for prescreening (Fall applicants only, see below)
- Vocal Arts 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 for whom English is a second language, regardless of educational background or immigration status
Audition Information
Fall applicants to programs in vocal arts must submit either a CD or DVD recording to be pre-screened by the faculty. The results of the pre-screen will determine whether or not an applicant will be invited to perform a live audition on the USC campus in Los Angeles. Any applicant currently majoring in Vocal Arts at the USC Thornton school is exempt from the prescreen requirement. These applicants must contact our Associate Director of Admission, Kit Bellamy, directly to make live audition arrangements. Kit Bellamy's contact info is keb@usc.edu or (213) 821-1245.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Applicants for spring admission are not required to submit a recording for pre-screening. Spring applicants must contact the Vocal Arts department directly at (213) 740-7704 to arrange for an audition.
For both the pre-screen recording and the live audition, five or more selections of contrasting styles are required. These selections should be memorized and demonstrate diction facility in two or more foreign languages. At least one operatic aria must be included. The same selections may be performed on the recording as for the live audition. The prescreen recording MUST be submitted together with the Vocal Arts Prescreen Information Form (PDF).
Accompanists will be provided for vocal arts applicants at the live auditions in Los Angeles.
Please visit our Audition page for more specific information regarding audition dates.Doctor of Musical Arts
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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.
Note: This information applies only to classical voice applicants. For jazz voice, please refer to the jazz studies requirements.
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)
- Vocal Arts 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 vocal arts must submit either a CD or DVD recording to be pre-screened by the faculty. The results of the pre-screen will determine whether or not an applicant will be invited to perform a live audition on the USC campus in Los Angeles. Any applicant currently majoring in Vocal Arts at the USC Thornton school is exempt from the prescreen requirement. These applicants must contact our Associate Director of Admission, Kit Bellamy, directly to make live audition arrangements. Kit Bellamy's contact info is keb@usc.edu or (213) 821-1245.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Applicants for spring admission are not required to submit a recording for pre-screening. Spring applicants must contact the Vocal Arts department directly at (213) 740-7704 to arrange for an audition.
For both the pre-screen recording and the live audition, five or more selections of contrasting styles are required. These selections should be memorized and demonstrate diction facility in two or more foreign languages. At least one operatic aria must be included. The same selections may be performed on the recording as for the live audition. The prescreen recording MUST be submitted together with the Vocal Arts Prescreen Information Form (PDF).
Accompanists will be provided for vocal arts applicants at the live auditions in Los Angeles.
Please visit our Audition page for more specific information regarding audition dates.
