Composition
Our composition students work with active composers in an environment dedicated to innovation and musical excellence.
Our graduate programs encourage you to expand your musical knowledge and skills through contact with our world-class faculty. A variety of concentrations are available at the master’s level to prepare you for a fulfilling career in music.
Conducting
Choral and instrumental (band or orchestra) conducting students enhance their skills and musical knowledge in the classroom and on the podium.
Jazz Studies
Our jazz program fuses performance, composition and arranging into a study plan that prepares students for the professional performance arena.
History
Music history study at the USC School of Music integrates historical, cultural, theoretical and interdisciplinary approaches leading to a rich understanding of music from different perspectives.
Opera
Opera Theatre students develop characterization, stage presence, diction, movement and other necessary theatrical skills through classes, coaching, workshop activities and public performances.
Performance
One-on-one training with world-class faculty and visiting artist/teachers and diverse performance opportunities prepare our students for the challenges of a career in music. The community engagement concentration is now available as well.
Piano Pedagogy
Students gain performance skills, knowledge of piano repertoire, and understanding of appropriate pedagogies through this program of study, and they apply their knowledge and skills in supervised teaching of a wide range of students.
Music Theory
Music theory students receive advanced training in music theory, analysis, history and research that prepares them for study at the doctoral level. The degree culminates in a thesis project where students pursue a particular area of interest in music theory or analysis. Students also pursue elective coursework in related fields such as music composition, entrepreneurship, performance, and technology.
Violin/Viola Pedagogy
This degree is designed to prepare students for teaching upper strings from the beginning through advanced levels. Students will study various pedagogical sources and topics such as scales, techniques, and graded literature. The program will include practical experience through the Suzuki Strings at USC program.