Undergraduate Degrees
Graduate Degrees
Programs
Courses of Instruction
DMA student Ennis Harris (MM ‘22) performs a saxophone solo during a performance of his original orchestral jazz composition with the Thornton Jazz Orchestra at USC’s Carson Soundstage. Photo by Brian Feinzimer/Capture Imaging, Inc.
Since its founding in 1884, the USC Thornton School of Music has become the center of higher education in music in the western United States and is among the top schools of music in the nation. Situated in the heart of the vital musical life of Los Angeles, USC Thornton brings together a distinguished faculty and gifted students from around the world. It is in this wonderfully diverse cultural milieu that students are offered instruction in virtually all professional and scholarly branches of music, including instrumental and vocal performance, jazz, popular music performance, music production, early music, composition, screen scoring, music industry, musicology, music teaching and learning, arts leadership, pedagogy, choral and sacred music, conducting and opera. In addition to its major programs, USC Thornton also offers a wide array of music minors and general interest courses for students majoring in other disciplines.
The USC Thornton Symphony, Chamber Choir, Concert Choir, Opera, Wind Ensemble, Popular Music Ensembles, Songwriter Showcases, Jazz Orchestra, Contemporary Music Ensemble, Early Music Ensemble and a wide variety of large and small choral and instrumental ensembles offer students a broad performing experience. More than 500 formal and informal concerts and recitals are presented on campus each year and the school regularly presents eminent visiting artists and scholars in master classes, workshops, lectures, seminars and in performance.
Los Angeles is the home of numerous musical organizations whose performances contribute immeasurably to the cultural life of the region, and is also the home of the nation’s major recording, radio, film and television industries. All offer abundant opportunities to the serious young music professional.
Music Student Affairs
The Music Complex 200
(213) 740-4721
Email: thornton.studentaffairs@usc.edu
Associate Dean: Phillip Placenti
Music Admission
The Music Complex 200
(213) 740-8986
Email: uscmusic@usc.edu
Associate Dean: Phillip Placenti
Arts Leadership
Music Faculty Building 402
(213) 740-1895
Director: Kenneth Foster
Choral Music
Music Faculty Building 416
(213) 821-5756
Chair: Tram Sparks
Classical Guitar
Ramo Hall of Music 112
(213) 740-7702
Chair: Scott Tennant
Composition
Music Faculty Building 308
(213) 740-7416
Chair: Donald Crockett
Conducting
Music Faculty Building 308
(213) 740-7416
Chair: Larry Livingston
Jazz Studies
The Music Complex 118
(213) 740-3119
Chair: Jason Goldman
Keyboard Collaborative Arts
Ramo Hall of Music 112
(213) 740-7703
Director: Kevin Fitz-Gerald
Keyboard Studies
Ramo Hall of Music 112
(213) 740-7703
Chair: Lucinda Carver
Musicology
Music Faculty Building 308
(213) 740-7416
Chair: Adam Gilbert
Music Teaching and Learning
Music Faculty Building 402
(213) 740-6935
Chair: Beatriz Ilari
Music Industry
The Music Complex 118
(213) 740-3224
Email: contemporary.music@usc.edu
Chair: Michael Garcia
Music Technology
The Music Complex 118
(213) 740-3224
Chair: Richard Schmunk
Organ
Ramo Hall of Music 112
(213) 740-7703
Director: Ladd Thomas
Popular Music Performance
The Music Complex 118
(213) 740-3244
Co-Chairs: Rick Schmunk and Lyndia Johnson
Screen Scoring
The Music Complex 118
(213) 821-4192
Email: contemporary.music@usc.edu
Director: Jeanine Cowen
Strings
Ramo Hall of Music 112
(213) 740-7702
Chair: Lina Bahn
Studio Guitar
The Music Complex 118
(213) 740-3224
Chair: Nick Stoubis
Vocal Arts
Ramo Hall of Music 112
(213) 740-7704
Chair: Lisa Sylvester
Winds and Percussion
Music Faculty Building 308
(213) 740-7416
Chair: Sharon Lavery
All departments may be reached by writing to:
USC Thornton School of Music
Music Faculty Building
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0851
FAX: (213) 740-3217
email: uscmusic@usc.edu
music.usc.edu
Administration
Jason King, PhD, Dean
Rotem Gilbert, DMA, Vice Dean, Division of Scholarly and Professional Studies
Cristian Grases, DMA, Vice Dean, Division of Classical Performance Studies
Sean Holt, MA*, Vice Dean, Division of Contemporary Music
Jeffrey de Caen, MBA, Associate Dean for Operations
A. Phoenix Delgado, DMA, Associate Dean for Advancement
Joanna Demers, PhD*, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs
Brian Head, MM*, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Ron McCurdy, PhD, Assistant Dean for Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Susan Miltner Lopez, MBA, Associate Dean for Administration and Finance
Phillip Placenti, EdD, Associate Dean for Admission and Student Affairs
Faculty
Jascha Heifetz Chair in Music: Glenn Dicterow, BA
Gregor Piatigorsky Chair in Violoncello: Ralph Kirshbaum, BA
Alice and Eleonore Schoenfeld Chair in Strings: Yura Lee, Dipl
Stephen H. Crocker Professorship in Music: Elizabeth Hynes, BM
Judge Widney Professor of Music: Midori Goto, MA*
Professors: Ken Cazan, BFA*; Terry Cravens, DMA*; Donald Crockett, PhD*; Robert A. Cutietta, DEd; Joanna Demers, PhD*; Glenn Dicterow, BA; Kevin Fitz-Gerald, Art. Dipl; Adam Gilbert, PhD; Stewart Gordon, DMA*; Cristian Grases, DMA; Beatriz Ilari, PhD; Jeffrey Kahane, MA; Ralph Kirshbaum, BA; Larry Livingston, MM; Ronald McCurdy, PhD; Daniel Pollack, MS*; Richard Smith, MM; John Thomas, MM
Associate Professors: Yehuda Gilad, Dipl*; Ted Hearne, MM; Elizabeth Hynes, BM; David Moore, BM; Andrew Norman, MM; Lisa Vest, PhD*
Assistant Professors: William Coppola, PhD; Camae Dennis; Leon Garcia Corona, PhD; Jonathan Gomez, PhD; Candice Mattio, PhD; Nate Sloan, PhD; Scott Spencer, PhD
Professors of Practice: Bernadene Blaha, MM; Lucinda Carver, DMA*; Jeanine Cowen, BM; Kenneth Foster, MA; Rotem Gilbert, DMA*; Brian Head, MM*; Lynn Helding, MM; William Kanengiser, MM*; Veronika Krausas, DMA; Sharon Lavery, MM; Antoinette Perry, MM; Christopher Sampson, MM; Richard Schmunk, DMA*; Nick Stoubis, MM; Lisa Sylvester, DMA; Scott Tennant, MM; Joel Timm, DMA
Associate Professors of Practice: Jeffrey Allen, BA; Thomas Michael Allen, MM; Lina Bahn, DM*; Michael Garcia, BA; Jason Goldman, MM; Sean Holt, MA*; Lyndia Johnson, MMA; Yura Lee, Art Dipl; Kevin Lyman, BS; Brian Malouf, BA; Brent McMunn, MM; Sean Nye, PhD; Karen Parks, MM; Stephen Pierce, DMA; Patrice Rushen, BA; Tram Sparks, DMA; Jacob Vogel, DMA; Mark Weiser, MM
Assistant Professors of Practice: Andrae Alexander, MA; Christian Amonson; Paul Jackson, Jr., BA; William Kennedy; Timothy Kobza, MM; Derrick Lawrence, BM; Andrew Leff, JD; Clarence Penn, MM; Christopher Rozé, DMA; Emily Sung, DMA; Seth Parker Woods, PhD
Lecturers and Senior Lecturers (Full-time): David Arnay, MM; Charles Gutierrez, AA; Aaron Serfaty, BFA; Stephen Trovato, BS
Adjunct Professors: Margaret Batjer; Jeff Brabec; Todd Brabec; Martin Chalifour; Julie Landsman; Vincent Mendoza; Cherry Rhodes; Pepe Romero; James Self; Andrew Shulman; Carl St Clair; Ladd Thomas; Jo Ann Turovsky; Bing Wang; Richard Wolf
Adjunct Associate Professors: James Babor; Karen Dreyfus; David Howard; Joseph Pereira; Luciana Souza
Adjunct Assistant Professors: Jon Burlingame; Neal Desby; Bruce Forman; Thomas Hooten; Catherine Karoly; Adam del Monte; Jennifer Marotta; Leah Morrison; Darek Oleszkiewicz; Robert Sheppard; Christopher Young
Adjunct Instructors: Andy Abad; Tara Aesquivel; Helane Anderson; Amy Andersson; Pete Anthony; Michael Arrom; Jonathan Azu; Bobby Borg; Angelica Cortez; Daniel Davila; Allegra De Souza; Siobhán Dougall; Maxine Eilander; Jeremy Frank; Peter Golub; Kathleen Grace; Tim Greiving; Jeremy Gruber; Alexander Hahn; Jon Hatamiya; Ben Hong; Michael Kaminsky; Jennifer Kampani; Patrick Kirst; Marion Kuszyk; Edwin Livingston; Ginny Luke; Jessica Maxfield; Roy McCurdy; Michael McCuiston; Loren Medina; Michael Mennell; Shawn Mouser; Joshua Nelson; Alex Nickson; Sung-Hwa Park; Douglas Petty; David Poe; Troy Quinn; Sophie Reeves; Lolita Ritmanis; Otmaro Ruiz; Garry Schyman; Lawrence Shragge; Michael Stever; Katie Thiroux; Douglas Tornquist; Lindsay Wolfington
Lecturers (Part-time): Sara Balance; Steven Becknell; Nicolas Benavides; Haleigh Bowers; Dan Caputo; Juan Pablo Contreras-Palomar; Jane Davidson; Lot Demeyer; Tom Hall; Ryan McWilliams; Eric Pham; Michael Smith; Jason Yoshida
Distinguished Professors Emeritus of Composition: Stephen Hartke, PhD*; Morten Lauridsen, DMA*
Professor Emeritus of Music Practice: Nick Strimple, DMA
Emeritus Professors: Arthur C. Bartner, EdD*; Bruce Brown, PhD; William Dehning, DMA*; Gary Glaze, MM*; James Hopkins, PhD*; Frederick Lesemann, DMA*; Thom Mason, DMA*; Donald McInnes, MM; Cynthia Munzer, BM*; Tim Page, BA; John Perry, MM; Jo-Michael Scheibe, DMA; Alice Schoenfeld*; Bryan Simms, PhD*; Ladd Thomas, DMA; William Thomson, PhD; James Walker, BME*; Nancy Woods, MM
Emeritus Associate Professor of Practice: Kenneth Lopez, BA
Emeritus Senior Lecturer: Patrick Kelley, BM
*Recipient of university-wide or school teaching award.
Degree Programs
The Thornton School of Music offers professional and academic degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels. These degrees are summarized below.
Bachelor of Music: Students working toward this professional degree have a wide choice of specializations: choral music, composition, music industry, instrumental performance, jazz studies, popular music performance, music production and vocal arts. Students can take either a single major program or double majors in several combinations such as piano and composition, string, or percussion instrument. The two majors must be offered by different departments but lead to the same degree (for example, Bachelor of Music). Double majors consisting of two majors in the same department are not permitted. The degree is granted by the Thornton School of Music.
Bachelor of Arts: This degree is designed for students with a strong music background who wish to combine professional music training with substantial work in academic research in a music-related field.
Bachelor of Science: Offered by the Thornton School of Music in the specialized area of music industry.
Minors in Music: Eight different minors in music are offered, each approaching the discipline from a unique perspective and with a distinct curriculum: Jazz Studies, Musical Studies (Performance), Musical Theatre, Music Industry, Music Production, Music Recording, Popular Music Studies and Songwriting.
Master of Music: This is a professional degree that represents proficiency in one area of musical practice and relevant knowledge in musical literature, performance and technique. It requires a minimum of 30 graduate units, of which 15 must be at the 500 level or higher. Students complete a thesis, recital(s) or other capstone project as part of the degree requirements. The degree can be earned in choral music, composition, jazz studies, keyboard collaborative arts, guitar, organ, piano, voice or instrumental performance, teaching and learning, or sacred music. The degree is granted by the Thornton School of Music.
Master of Arts: This degree, offered through the Graduate School in conjunction with the Thornton School of Music, stresses music history or early music performance, with emphasis on scholarly research.
Master of Science: Two degrees are offered in Arts Leadership and Music Industry.
Doctor of Musical Arts: This is a professional degree that represents the highest level of expertise in a major field of musical practice and competence in several additional areas. Students may specialize in choral music, composition, jazz studies, vocal or instrumental performance, sacred music, or teaching and learning.
Doctor of Philosophy: Conferred by the Graduate School, this is an academic degree in the field of historical musicology. A substantial background in music, research and languages is required.
Entrance to the Degree Programs
Admission to a degree program is granted through USC’s admission process, described in the Admission section of this catalogue. Supplementary materials are also required for students seeking admission to the Thornton School of Music, which are described online at music.usc.edu.
Applicants to a program within the school are screened by appropriate faculty selection committees that hold auditions, interviews and examine supporting materials. Letters of acceptance are issued by the USC Office of Admission.
Audition
A performance audition is required of applicants to most degree and certificate programs in the Thornton School of Music. Detailed information regarding audition requirements for specific Thornton programs is available online at music.usc.edu.
Graduate Academic Admission Examination
All DMA and PhD applicants as well as Master’s applicants in Music Teaching and Learning, Popular Music Teaching and Learning, Community Music, and Early Music must, as part of the admission process, take the Graduate Academic Admission Examination administered by the Thornton School. Detailed information is posted annually at the USC Thornton School of Music website (music.usc.edu).
Placement Tests
Undergraduate transfer students who have had formal study in any of the following areas must take the appropriate placement examination prior to their first registration: aural skills, theory, music history, conducting, analysis, orchestration and performance. The results of these examinations determine placement in appropriate sequential courses.
Admission to Graduate Standing
All students entering a graduate-level degree program (MA, MM, DMA, PhD) at USC Thornton, who have not previously completed a degree at USC Thornton, must take a series of entrance exams in core music subjects. These exams are called Music Graduate Entrance Exams (MGEEs). Information regarding which exams are required for specific majors is available at the USC Thornton School of Music website (music.usc.edu).
MGEEs are administered during a prescribed time period prior to the first week of classes each fall and spring semester. Entering students must take all required exams at the scheduled exam time prior to the beginning of their first semester in the program. If any given exam is not passed on the first attempt, that exam can be retaken at the scheduled exam time prior to the beginning of the second semester in the program. If the exam is not passed on the second attempt, the corresponding review course must be successfully completed with a grade of B minus or better before the beginning of the third semester in the program. No MGEE can be attempted after the second semester in the program, regardless of whether the exam has previously been attempted. If students complete any MGEE after their second semester in the program, the score earned on said exam will be invalid. Failure to fulfill all MGEE requirements by the beginning of the third semester – either through exams or review courses – may delay permission to fulfill degree requirements such as recitals, comprehensive or qualifying examinations, thesis projects, and dissertations, and may also have a negative impact on financial aid eligibility.
If a student is not able to take an exam at the scheduled exam time, the exam administrator may choose to administer a similar exam at another scheduled time during the first week of the semester. This alternate exam time will be arranged in rare cases and at the sole discretion of the exam administrator.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
The Thornton School of Music adheres to the USC Admission policies regarding TOEFL and IELTS scores. With some exceptions, international applicants from non-English-speaking countries are required to submit these scores by the application deadline. Test scores that are more than two years old at the time of application are not accepted. For any applicant whose first language is not English, regardless of educational background or immigration status, the Thornton School may require as a condition of admission that they take the International Student English (ISE) exam, administered by the USC American Language Institute, as well as complete any English language course work that may be prescribed from the results of that exam.
Advanced Standing Credit for Music Courses Taken at Accredited Institutions
Music courses completed with satisfactory grades at a regionally accredited institution of higher education may be acceptable for transfer. A review of transcripts and course syllabi will be required in order to determine transferability of course work. The Thornton School may also require a student to take a placement test (at no cost) to determine the extent of their knowledge in a given area of musical study before a final determination is made regarding transferability of course work.
Advanced Standing Credit for Music Courses Not Taken at Accredited Institutions
Music courses completed at an institution that is not regionally accredited will generally not be transferable. In exceptional cases, the Thornton School may consider petitions for transfer credit for these courses. The petition review process will include evaluation of transcripts with letter grades, course syllabi for each course for which transfer credit is being requested, and examples of work completed for a grade in those courses. Additional information may also be required in order for the Thornton School to complete a full transfer credit evaluation.
Curriculum Requirements
The curriculum requirements for each major are listed under each degree. The USC course classification and numbering system is explained in the Registration section of this catalogue. In addition, music courses sometimes carry the following abbreviations: CD = Conducting; CG = Classical Guitar; HC = Harpsichord; OR = Organ; P = Piano; SG = Studio Guitar; VA = Viola; VC = Voice Coaching; VO = Voice.
Change of Curriculum
To change from one curriculum to another, a student must apply and be approved for the new curriculum by the appropriate department chair and declare the intent to change curriculum through the student’s academic adviser in the Thornton School.
Non-Degree Programs
Students who have highly specialized interests that may not be met through degree programs may apply for admission to one of the following non-degree programs.
Artist Diploma Program
This program is designed for young artists of exceptional ability and musical sensitivity who plan careers as solo performers. The Artist Diploma Program provides young artists the opportunity to devote their full time to concentrated study and practice for the duration of their assigned programs. This program typically requires two to three consecutive years of study for completion.
Graduate Certificate in Arts Leadership
The Graduate Certificate program in arts leadership is a two-semester program for artists, arts administrators and cultural workers of all types to develop the skills necessary to become successful leaders in the arts and arts organizations in a rapidly changing and radically altered contemporary world.
Graduate Certificate Program in Performance
This two-year graduate-level program is designed for students who have completed their undergraduate education in music, or its equivalent, and intend to concentrate their energies on the full-time development of their discipline.
Honor Society
Pi Kappa Lambda
Pi Kappa Lambda is a national honor society established in 1918 for the promotion and recognition of scholarship and performance in music. Students of the Thornton School of Music are eligible for election to Eta chapter at the University of Southern California, established in 1923, according to guidelines established by the board of the Eta chapter.
Undergraduate Degrees
Minors in Music
Minor in Performing Arts Studies
The minor in performing arts provides an interdisciplinary inquiry into the nature and aesthetics of the performing arts. It combines the disciplines of cinematic arts, 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 Dramatic Arts section of this catalogue.
Graduate Degrees
Admission-Audition Requirements
Applicants to graduate programs in the Thornton School of Music must fulfill all music admission requirements described at usc.edu/music, in addition to fulfilling all USC graduate admission requirements. See Thornton School of Music Degree Programs and Entrance to the Degree Programs sections of this catalogue for further information.
Bachelor’s Degree
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Choral Music (BA)*
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Choral Music (BM)
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Composition (BM)
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Jazz Studies (BM)
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Music (BA)*
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Music Industry (BM)
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Music Industry (BS)
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Music Production (BM)
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Performance (Classical Guitar) (BM)
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Performance (Flute), (Oboe), (Clarinet), (Bassoon), (Saxophone), (French Horn), (Trumpet), (Trombone), (Tuba) or (Percussion) (BM)
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Performance (Organ) (BM)
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Performance (Piano) (BM)
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Performance (Popular Music) (BM)
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Performance (Studio Guitar) (BM)
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Performance (Violin), (Viola), (Violoncello), (Double Bass) or (Harp) (BM)
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Performance (Vocal Arts) (BM)
Minor
Diploma
Master’s Degree
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Arts Leadership (MS)
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Choral Music (MM)
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Community Music (MM)
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Composition (MM)
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Conducting (MM)
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Contemporary Teaching Practice (MM)
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Early Music Performance Emphasis (MA)
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Jazz Studies (MM)
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Music History and Literature Emphasis (MA)
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Music Industry (MS)
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Performance (Classical Guitar) (MM)
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Performance (Flute), (Oboe), (Clarinet), (Bassoon), (Saxophone), (French Horn), (Trumpet), (Trombone), (Tuba) or (Percussion) (MM)
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Performance (Keyboard Collaborative Arts) (MM)
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Performance (Organ) (MM)
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Performance (Piano) (MM)
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Performance (Studio Guitar) (MM)
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Performance (Violin), (Viola), (Violoncello), (Double Bass) or (Harp) (MM)
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Performance (Vocal Arts) (MM)
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Popular Music Teaching and Learning (MM)
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Sacred Music (MM)
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Screen Scoring (MM)
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Teaching and Learning (MM)
Graduate Certificate
Doctoral Degree
Composition
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MUCO 360 Music Notation and Copying
Units: 1
Development of skills in music calligraphy.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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MUCO 370a Arranging for the Recording Media
Units: 2
Arranging and composing for studio recording ensembles.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MUCO 370b Arranging for the Recording Media
Units: 2
Arranging and composing for studio recording ensembles.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MUCO 390 Special Problems
Units: 1, 2, 3, 4
Supervised, individual studies. No more than one registration permitted. Enrollment by petition only.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MUCO 406a Contemporary Notation
Units: 2
Notating new music; study and comparison of representative scores.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MUCO 406b Contemporary Notation
Units: 2
Notating new music; study and comparison of representative scores.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MUCO 422 Composers and Interdisciplinary Art Studies
Units: 2
Max Units: 6.0
A structured collaboration between composers and artists outside of music to explore an interdisciplinary area in an environment of practical collaborative creation.
Prerequisite: MUCO 133b .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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MUCO 425 Instrumental Music of Debussy and Ravel
Units: 2
Critical examination of the piano, chamber, and orchestral scores; comparison of styles, techniques and aesthetics of these “Impressionist” composers.
Prerequisite: MUCO 336a or MUCO 338 ; MUHL 331 ; MUHL 332 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MUCO 432a Advanced Theory
Units: 1 or 2
Special problems in music theory.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MUCO 432b Advanced Theory
Units: 1 or 2
Special problems in music theory.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MUCO 434 Analytical Techniques
Units: 2
Selected analytical topics.
Prerequisite: MUCO 232b , MUCO 233b .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MUCO 435 Counterpoint III
Units: 2
Terms Offered: Fa
Canon and fugue; 19th and 20th century developments.
Prerequisite: MUCO 235 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MUCO 436 Orchestration III
Units: 2
Terms Offered: Sp
Continuation of Orchestration II.
Prerequisite: MUCO 336a , MUCO 336b .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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MUCO 437a Composition IV
Units: 2
Individual instruction in composition; preparation for the senior recital.
Prerequisite: MUCO 337b
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab
Grading Option: Letter
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MUCO 437b Composition IV
Units: 2
Individual instruction in composition; preparation for the senior recital.
Prerequisite: MUCO 437a
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab
Grading Option: Letter
-
MUCO 438 Arranging for Marching Band
Units: 2
Fundamental concepts; instrumental capabilities; notation; color and scoring; modulation; percussion writing.
Prerequisite: MUCO 336b or MUCO 338 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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MUCO 439 Band Arranging
Units: 2
Max Units: 4.0
Characteristics and use of individual instruments; writing for separate choirs; chamber and solo writing; scoring piano, organ, and orchestral music for band.
Prerequisite: MUCO 237b , MUCO 336b or MUCO 338 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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MUCO 441 Choral Arranging
Units: 1, 2
Max Units: 4.0
Terms Offered: FaSpSm
Arranging and composing for chorus.
Prerequisite: MUCO 233b .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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MUCO 470 Electroacoustic Composition
Units: 2
Electronic music for the composer: history of means and styles, aesthetic issues and practical problems, computer usages, bibliography and repertoire.
Recommended Preparation: MTEC 474a .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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MUCO 471 Intro to Programming for Digital Media and Computer Music
Units: 2
Visual-based programming language Max is learned to investigate the computer as a tool for generative and interactive multimedia performance, composition and improvisation environments.
Recommended Preparation: Familiarity with DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations)
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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MUCO 472 Intermediate Programming for Digital Media & Computer Music
Units: 2
Visual-based programming language Max is further investigated to use the computer as a tool for generative and interactive multimedia performance, composition and improvisation environments.
Prerequisite: MUCO 471
Recommended Preparation: Familiarity with DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) and prior knowledge of Max.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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MUCO 490x Directed Research
Units: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Max Units: 12.0
Individual research and readings.
Credit Restriction: Not available for graduate credit.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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MUCO 499 Special Topics
Units: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Max Units: 08
Selected topics of current interest.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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MUCO 501 Introduction to the Analysis of Tonal Music
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
Survey of common practice period (1650–1900) approaches to phrase design, tonal organization and type-forms (binary, ternary, rondo, sonata).
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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MUCO 502 Introduction to the Analysis of Post-Tonal Music
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
Introductory survey of 20th/21st century approaches to the organization of pitch (serial, modal, extended tonal, etc.), rhythm, texture and form.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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MUCO 521x Composition for Non-Majors III
Units: 1, 2
Max Units: 8.0
Terms Offered: FaSpSm
Individual instruction in composition.
Prerequisite: submission of portfolio of musical compositions.
Registration Restriction: Not open to graduate students in composition.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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MUCO 531 Advanced Analysis of Tonal Music: Reduction
Units: 2
Consideration of recent developments in music theory and their application to the analysis of tonal music, focusing on techniques of musical reduction.
Prerequisite: MUCO 501
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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MUCO 532 Advanced Analysis of Tonal Music: Form
Units: 2
Consideration of recent developments in music theory and their application to Classical Common Practice repertoire, focusing on contemporary analytical approaches to the sonata idea.
Prerequisite: MUCO 501
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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MUCO 533a Analytical Approaches to Tonal Music
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
Introducing to essential structural and prolongational aspects of Schenkerian theory.
Prerequisite: MUCO 501 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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MUCO 533b Analytical Approaches to Tonal Music
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
Application of the Schenkerian methods to individual movements and short pieces.
Prerequisite: MUCO 501 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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MUCO 534 Advanced Analysis of Post-Tonal Music: Pitch
Units: 2
Introduction, application and critiques of canonical pitch-based analytical techniques applied to post-tonal music.
Prerequisite: MUCO 502
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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MUCO 535 Advanced Analysis of Post-Tonal Music: Beyond Pitch
Units: 2
Compositional departures from conventional notions of pitch and harmony; application and critiques of non-pitch-based analytical techniques for post-tonal music.
Prerequisite: MUCO 502
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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MUCO 536 Advanced Orchestration I
Units: 1, 2, 3, 4
Max Units: 4.0
Terms Offered: FaSp
Continuation of Orchestration III with emphasis on contemporary techniques.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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MUCO 537 Advanced Composition I
Units: 1 or 2
Max Units: 8.0
For graduates with evidence of preparation for advanced work.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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MUCO 538a Analytical Approaches to Post-Tonal Music from 1908–1950
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
The breakdown of tonality, rise of atonal/pantonal pitch organization, new and extended approaches to tonality, modality.
Prerequisite: MUCO 502 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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MUCO 538b Analytical Approaches to Post-Tonal Music from 1908–1950
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
Continuation of MUCO 538a ; twelve-tone methods, just tuning systems, new approaches to rhythm, texture, timbre.
Prerequisite: MUCO 502 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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MUCO 539a Theoretical and Aesthetic Issues in Music from 1950 to the Present
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
Anti-rationality and indeterminancy, ultra-rationality and integral serialism, new performance procedures, electronic music and new technologies, minimalism.
Prerequisite: MUCO 502 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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MUCO 539b Theoretical and Aesthetic Issues in Music from 1950 to the Present
Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
Post-modernism of reaction, post-modernism of resistance, mannerist minimalism, anti-modernism.
Prerequisite: MUCO 502 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MUCO 548 Writer and Composer
Units: 2
Structured collaboration among composers and poets. Activities include fundamentals of poetry, comparative analysis, creative projects.
Registration Restriction: Open to Literature and Creative Writing and Composition majors only; students with other majors require departmental approval
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MUCO 550 Teaching Music Theory
Units: 2
Comparative study of curricula, text materials, and teaching strategies in music theory.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MUCO 571 Comparative Analytical Studies: Traditional Forms
Units: 2
Max Units: 6.0
Terms Offered: FaSpSm
Analytical survey of the development of a specific form or genre. Specific emphasis to be determined by the department.
Recommended Preparation: MUCO 501 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MUCO 572 Comparative Analytical Studies: 20th/21st Century and Non-Traditional Forms
Units: 2
Max Units: 6.0
Terms Offered: FaSpSm
In-depth analysis of characteristic forms and genres of 20th century music or of other forms and genres that do not figure largely in the “common practice” tradition. Specific emphasis to be determined by the department.
Recommended Preparation: MUCO 501 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MUCO 573 Special Studies in Contrapuntal Music
Units: 2
Max Units: 6.0
Terms Offered: FaSpSm
In-depth analytical and historical study of contrapuntal techniques and styles. Emphasis to be determined by the department.
Recommended Preparation: MUCO 501 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MUCO 574 Special Studies in Tonal Analysis
Units: 2
Max Units: 6.0
Terms Offered: FaSpSm
Analytical study of major composers and/or problems in tonal music. Emphasis to be determined by the department.
Recommended Preparation: MUCO 501 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MUCO 575 Special Studies in Post-Tonal Analysis
Units: 2
Max Units: 6.0
Terms Offered: FaSpSm
Analytical study of major composers and/or problems in post-tonal music. Emphasis to be determined by the department.
Recommended Preparation: MUCO 502 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MUCO 576 Special Studies in Musical Aesthetics
Units: 2
Max Units: 6.0
Terms Offered: FaSpSm
An investigation of aesthetics in general and the application of aesthetic theories to music; readings will be selected from pre-modern, modern, and post-modern texts.
Recommended Preparation: MUCO 501 and MUCO 502 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MUCO 590 Directed Research
Units: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Research leading to the master’s degree. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Credit/No Credit
-
MUCO 592 Selected Topics in Graduate Composition
Units: 2
Max Units: 8.0
Terms Offered: Irregular
Seminar for graduate students in composition that addresses aesthetic, technical and analytical issues from a composer’s perspective.
Registration Restriction: Open only to theory and composition majors.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MUCO 594a Master’s Thesis
Units: 2
Credit on acceptance of thesis.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: In-progress to Credit/No Credit
-
MUCO 594b Master’s Thesis
Units: 2
Credit on acceptance of thesis.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: In-progress to Credit/No Credit
-
MUCO 594z Master’s Thesis
Units: 0
Credit on acceptance of thesis.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: In-progress to Credit/No Credit
-
MUCO 599 Special Topics
Units: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Max Units: 08
Selected topics of current interest.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MUCO 631 Writing about Analysis
Units: 2
Seminar on analytical writing through examination of varied analyses of single works, interrogation of method, style and effectiveness; mentored writing.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MUCO 633a Advanced Analysis of Tonal Music
Units: 2
Application of Schenkerian techniques to large works.
Prerequisite: MUCO 533b .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MUCO 633b Advanced Analysis of Tonal Music
Units: 2
Criticisms and extensions of Schenker, semiotic approaches, theories of rhythmic structure.
Prerequisite: MUCO 533b .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MUCO 636 Advanced Orchestration II
Units: 1 or 2
Max Units: 4.0
Terms Offered: FaSp
Continuation of Advanced Orchestration I with emphasis on historical survey of orchestral compositions and advanced orchestration projects.
Prerequisite: MUCO 536 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MUCO 637 Advanced Composition II
Units: 1, 2
Max Units: 4.0
Continuation of MUCO 537 . For students holding the MM degree in composition.
Prerequisite: MUCO 536 , MUCO 637 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MUCO 737 Advanced Composition III
Units: 1 or 2
Max Units: 8.0
Continuation of MUCO 637 .
Prerequisite: MUCO 536 , MUCO 637 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MUCO 790 Research
Units: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Research leading to the doctorate. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Credit/No Credit
-
MUCO 794a Doctoral Dissertation
Units: 2
Credit on acceptance of dissertation.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: In-progress to Credit/No Credit
-
MUCO 794b Doctoral Dissertation
Units: 2
Credit on acceptance of dissertation.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: In-progress to Credit/No Credit
-
MUCO 794c Doctoral Dissertation
Units: 2
Credit on acceptance of dissertation.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: In-progress to Credit/No Credit
-
MUCO 794d Doctoral Dissertation
Units: 2
Credit on acceptance of dissertation.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: In-progress to Credit/No Credit
-
MUCO 794z Doctoral Dissertation
Units: 0
Credit on acceptance of dissertation.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: In-progress to Credit/No Credit
Music Teaching and Learning
-
MTAL 330 Fundamentals of Music
Units: 4
Introduction to the content of music through an investigation of its melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic structure.
Duplicates Credit in former MUED 330x
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MTAL 440a Music and Movement: The Orff Approach
Units: 2
Orff Schulwerk techniques in rhythmic and melodic training through speech, singing, body percussion, playing Orff instruments, improvisation, and elemental movement. Certification available.
Duplicates Credit in former MUED 440a
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MTAL 440b Music and Movement: The Orff Approach
Units: 2
Orff Schulwerk techniques in rhythmic and melodic training through speech, singing, body percussion, playing Orff instruments, improvisation, and elemental movement. Certification available.
Prerequisite: MTAL 440a
Duplicates Credit in former MUED 440b
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MTAL 443 Teaching Vocal Jazz
Units: 2
Strategies for teaching the principles of vocal jazz; historical perspective, repertoire, recordings, improvisation, scat, accompaniment, amplification, rehearsing, teaching sequences. No prior jazz experience necessary.
Duplicates Credit in former MUED 443
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MTAL 449 Teaching Marching Band
Units: 2
Modern school marching band techniques; precision drill; administration; rehearsal techniques.
Duplicates Credit in former MUED 449
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MTAL 470 Improvisation and Composition for Teaching and Learning
Units: 2
An introduction to the craft of musical improvisation and composition, developing personal and idiomatic vocabulary in a variety of traditional and contemporary musical styles.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MTAL 475 Teaching and Learning: Children
Units: 2
Applied study of developmental, contextual, pedagogical and philosophical issues that underlie children’s music learning experiences.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MTAL 476 Teaching and Learning: Youth
Units: 2
Applied study of developmental, contextual, pedagogical and philosophical issues that underlie musical experiences of adolescents and young adults.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MTAL 477 Cultural Diversity in Music Teaching and Learning
Units: 2
Study of cultural issues in music teaching and learning.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MTAL 480 Contemporary Pedagogy, Small Instrumental Ensembles
Units: 3
Designed to cover traditional approaches to small group teaching in schools with contemporary techniques. Percussion, guitar, keyboard, informal instruments are featured. Also features a fieldwork component.
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab
Grading Option: Letter
-
MTAL 481 Contemporary Pedagogy, Larger Instrumental Ensembles
Units: 3
Traditional approaches to large group teaching in schools with contemporary techniques. Brass, woodwind and string instruments are featured. Features a fieldwork component.
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab
Grading Option: Letter
-
MTAL 482 Contemporary Pedagogy, Vocal and General Music
Units: 2
Designed to cover traditional approaches to vocal/general music group teaching in schools with contemporary techniques. Vocal and general music techniques are featured. Also features a fieldwork component.
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab
Grading Option: Letter
-
MTAL 490x Directed Research
Units: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Max Units: 12
Individual research and readings.
Registration Restriction: Open only to juniors and seniors
Duplicates Credit in former MUED 490x
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MTAL 499 Special Topics
Units: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Max Units: 08
Selected topics of current interest.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MTAL 500 Research Foundations in Music Teaching and Learning
Units: 3
Introductory exploration of types of research linked to research literature in music teaching and learning; interpreting research reports; organizing and writing research proposals and reports.
Duplicates Credit in former MUED 500
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MTAL 501 Historical Foundations of Music Education
Units: 3
A contextual exploration of the historical development of American music education.
Duplicates Credit in former MUED 501
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MTAL 502 Sociological Foundations of Music Teaching and Learning
Units: 3
Study of interdependent relationship between society, music and music education.
Duplicates Credit in former MUED 502
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MTAL 503 Philosophical and Advocacy Issues in Music Teaching and Learning
Units: 3
Exploration of philosophical thinking in the field of music with emphasis on philosophical foundations for teaching and learning.
Duplicates Credit in former MUED 503
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MTAL 504 Psychological Foundations of Music
Units: 3
Exploration of theories, research and practice in psychological foundations of music teaching and learning.
Duplicates Credit in former MUED 504
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MTAL 505 Teaching and Learning Music
Units: 2
Studies of the latest resources concerning the teaching and learning of music so that musicians can function more effectively as both teachers and performers.
Duplicates Credit in former MUED 505
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MTAL 510 Leading a Music Program in a Public School Setting
Units: 2
The philosophy and purposes of music programs combined with early field experiences, varied teaching strategies, and music learning assessment.
Duplicates Credit in former MUED 510
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MTAL 516 Popular Music Teaching and Learning
Units: 2
Pedagogical framework, overview of current research and practical strategies for applying formal and informal teaching modalities in popular music.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MTAL 517 Teaching and Learning Popular Songwriting
Units: 2
Conceptual and practical framework to prepare music educators to teach popular songwriting at all levels and in a variety of environments.
Recommended Preparation: MTAL 516
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MTAL 518 Teaching and Learning Music Technology
Units: 2
Preparation for future music educators to teach music technology and music production at all levels in a wide range of environments.
Recommended Preparation: Demonstration of intermediate knowledge of music technology or successful completion of MTEC 443 , MTEC 444 and MTEC 446a
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MTAL 520 Coaching the Popular Music Ensemble
Units: 2
Conceptual and practical strategies used towards teaching a wide range of popular music ensembles that are culturally responsive and student centered.
Recommended Preparation: MTAL 516
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MTAL 521 Coaching the Popular Music Vocalist
Units: 2
Conceptual and practical framework for future popular music instructors to coach vocalists in a wide range of environments.
Recommended Preparation: MTAL 516
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MTAL 535 Community Engagement Through Music
Units: 2
Explores the essential role of community and arts partnerships in music education with implications for the expanding entrepreneurial role of musician/educators.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MTAL 537 Community Engagement Models and Frameworks in Music
Units: 1
Explores frameworks of partnerships and community organizations to inform innovative design, negotiate complexity and problem-solve in community music organizations.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MTAL 538 Music in the Community, Program Development and Evaluation
Units: 2
Explores the design and development of community music programs, including community needs assessment, program delivery and strategies and applications for program evaluation.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MTAL 550 Teaching Music Fundamentals and Appreciation Courses
Units: 2
Purpose and objectives of music in general education. Survey of current approaches and materials.
Duplicates Credit in former MUED 550
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MTAL 552 Music Education Courseware Development
Units: 2
Development of music education courseware using current technology. Two lecture hours per week.
Duplicates Credit in former MUED 552
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MTAL 576 Using Technology in the Classroom
Units: 2
Study of the tools and knowledge necessary to the music educator to facilitate the application of computers and electronic music in music education.
Duplicates Credit in former MUED 515
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MTAL 584 Early Childhood Music
Units: 2
An overview of significant developmental issues, current research, and appropriate practices for children from birth to age eight. Professor-guided practicum teaching.
Duplicates Credit in former MUED 520
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MTAL 585 Research and Practice in Orff Schulwerk
Units: 2
Exploring research on the philosophical and historical bases of the Orff Schulwerk approach and acquiring skills in pedagogical applications in early childhood through collegiate settings.
Duplicates Credit in former MUED 640
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
MTAL 588 Guided Practice
Units: 3
Student teachers observe and teach under the guidance of a university supervisor (USC professor) and a master teacher.
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab
Grading Option: Letter
-
MTAL 589 Community Music Practicum
Units: 2
Max Units: 04
Provides structure and support as students design, develop and execute a community music project as part of an existing organization or a new endeavor.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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