The USC Thornton School offers courses for non-majors (including class credit for taking part in performing ensembles) and six different minor options. To download the 2009-2010 Music Minors and Elective Courses brochure click here (PDF).

Please note: Minor programs may have additional grade or audition requirements. Click here to learn more.

Courses for Non-Majors

Looking for a hobby? Want to learn more about your favorite music? Interested in the music industry? Or do you just want to pick up that instrument you used to play in high school? The USC Thornton School has a wide range of courses that can help you get the most out of your college education.
More details (PDF)

Minors

Jazz Studies
The 20-unit minor program in jazz studies incorporates course work in individual instruction, the history of jazz masters, techniques of jazz improvisation, jazz styles analysis and aural skills for improvisers. This minor is not available to BM Jazz majors. For specific entrance requirements for this minor, click here.
More details (PDF)

Music Industry
A minor in the music industry is offered to provide undergraduate students with the background necessary to enter varied fields in the music business. A minimum of 20 units is required for completion of this minor. This minor is not available to music industry majors. For specific entrance requirements for this minor, click here.
More details (PDF)

Music Recording
A minor in music recording is offered to provide undergraduate students with the background necessary to enter the field of recording engineering and to familiarize them with the design needs of recording equipment. This minor is not available to music industry majors. For specific entrance requirements for this minor, click here.
More details (PDF)

Musical Studies
This 26-unit program in musical studies, with an emphasis on performance, incorporates the study of music theory, music history, performance, ensembles and music electives. Students may enter the program in their freshman year. An audition is required for this minor, and this minor is not available to music majors. For specific entrance requirements for this minor, click here.
More details (PDF)

Musical Theatre
The minor in musical theatre is a 27-unit program that incorporates the study of acting, dance or movement, vocal arts and related musical subjects. Admission to the minor requires an audition for music but not for theatre.

There are three different versions of the minor: for students majoring in theatre or another non-music discipline, for students majoring in vocal performance and for students majoring in a non-vocal arts music department. For specific entrance requirements for this minor, click here.
For non-music majors: More details (PDF)
For vocal arts majors: More details (PDF)
For other music majors: More details (PDF)

Performing Arts Studies
The minor in Performing Arts is an interdisciplinary inquiry into the nature and aesthetics of the performing arts. It combines the disciplines of cinema-television, dance, music and theatre. The minor is a unique course of study that looks at how the performing arts contribute to a culturally literate society. See the USC School of Theatre section of the USC Catalogue for further information.
More details (PDF)

Popular Music Studies
This 16-unit minor consists of four upper division courses, to be chosen from courses that examine different aspects of popular music. The minor focuses on the study of the repertories and their cultural and social context. For specific entrance requirements for this minor, click here.

Songwriting
The songwriting minor offers unique training to music enthusiasts with a particular interest in composing songs in the popular music idiom. The curriculum of this 24-unit minor incorporates practical instruction in the craft of songwriting and in performance skills, as well as the technique relevant to songwriting and criticial studies of the relevant repertories to provide undergraduate students with the background necessary to enter varied fields in the music business. For specific entrance requirements for this minor, click here.