USC School of Music
COMPOSITION PROGRAM

How to Apply

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BM COMPOSITION

The first step in the application process is to apply for general admission to USC and the School of Music. For more information, please click on the Admissions & Financial Aid tab at the left.

All students who indicate composition as their intended major will be considered for admission to the composition program. All students must submit a statement of purpose and composition portfolio (see below for more info.) to the Director of Music Admissions (Ms. Jablonski). Please note that all prospective composition majors must also successfully audition on their primary instrument (such as piano, clarinet, voice, etc.) to be admitted to the School of Music. Students who wish to be considered for a composition scholarship award must also complete the composition interview process. Students who receive a composition scholarship are required to attend Composition Seminar (Fridays, 2:30-4 pm, R210) during the spring and fall terms.

Current undergraduate students who wish to change their major to composition should first make an appointment to see the Director of Undergraduate Studies (Dr. Pruzin) to let him know of your interest in switching majors, then submit a statement of purpose and composition portfolio to the Coordinator of Composition (Dr. Bain).

Statement of Purpose

The statement of purpose should take the form of a short letter (ca. 250 words) addressed to the Coordinator of Composition (Dr. Bain) that describes why you wish to major in composition, what you hope to accomplish as a composition major, and what you plan to do with your degree when you graduate, if anything.

Composition Portfolio

The composition portfolio consists of 1-3 completed works you have composed (or arranged) with recordings (if available) on CD. Recordings are not necessary but are helpful. Scores are normally two-sided bound copies with appropriate title/instrumentation/author information on the cover. Submissions usually take the form of short works for solo instrument (piano, guitar, violin, and so forth), or less often, works for chamber ensemble, or large ensembles such as band, chorus, or jazz ensemble.

MM & DMA COMPOSITION

The first step in the application process is to apply for general admission to USC's Graduate School. For more information, please click on the Admissions & Financial Aid tab at the left.

In addition to completing the Graduate School's application process, the composition faculty requests the following additional documentation: 1. Statement of Purpose, 2. Composition Portfolio, 3. Resume, 4. List of Works, and 5. Writing Sample, as described below:

1. Statement of Purpose

The statement of purpose should take the form of a cover letter (ca. 250 words) addressed to the Coordinator of Composition (Dr. Bain). It should contain an explanation of why you have chosen to apply for admission to our program and what you hope to accomplish while at USC.

2. Composition Portfolio
(Due: March 1 for fall admission; Nov. 1 for spring admission)

Submission of at least 3 representative scores; include recordings of those works if possible (CD, DVD and VHS are the currently accepted formats).

3. Resume/CV - A resume or curriculum vitae that includes a typed summary of educational and professional experience.

4. List of Works - A list of completed compositions that includes the following information: year of composition, duration, and instrumentation.

5. Writing Sample - A sample of your writing in the form of a published article, or a term paper for a music course (usually theory or history).

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Updated: 12/15/2010