Overview
With one of the first free-standing jazz studies departments in the nation, the USC Thornton School was one of the pioneers in the development of an academic curriculum dedicated to the only truly American musical art form. With a faculty second to none, the goal of the jazz studies department is to prepare talented young musicians for prominence in the professional performance arena. As a result, recent graduates have assumed prominent roles in jazz and popular music. It is no surprise to find that the USC Thornton jazz studies department ranks in the top three or four in the nation as enumerated by the major jazz periodicals.

Degrees Offered
BM, MM, DMA, Graduate Certificate

Curriculum Requirements
The BM in Jazz Studies is a four-year, 132-unit program, consisting of courses in the major, including individual instruction, theory, history, ensembles, and related topics, coupled with the University's general education and writing programs. The program culminates with a senior recital.

The MM in Jazz Studies is a two-year, 30-unit program, focusing on individual jazz instruction, jazz composition, jazz pedagogy, jazz ensemble development, and ensembles, coupled with traditional music history. Two graduate recitals are required.

The DMA in Jazz Studies requires a minimum of 65 units beyond the bachelor's degree and consists of five areas of study: the basic DMA curriculum, course work in the major, an academic field, and two elective fields. Three doctoral recitals are required.

Ensembles
USC Thornton Jazz Orchestra, Bob Mintzer, music director
USC Concert Jazz Orchestra, Dr. John Daversa, music director
USC Afro-Latin American Jazz Ensemble (ALAJE), Aaron Serfaty, music director
CreSCendo Vocal Jazz Choir, Kathleen Grace, music director

Faculty
David Arnay
Gilbert Castellanos
Ndugu Chancler
Peter Erskine
Russell Ferrante
John Fumo
Sara Gazarek
Jason Goldman
Kathleen Grace
Alphonso Johnson
Edwin Livingston
Thom David Mason
Ronald C. McCurdy
Roy McCurdy
Vince Mendoza
Bob Mintzer
Darek Oles
Alan Pasqua
Otmaro Ruiz
Aaron Serfaty
Bob Sheppard
John Thomas
Jacques Voyemant
Bill Watrous

Contact
Department of Jazz Studies
USC Thornton School of Music
Los Angeles, California 90089-0851
(213) 740-3119
uscjazz@usc.edu