Since its founding in 1884, the USC School of Music has become the center of higher education in music in the western United States. It now ranks high among the top five schools of music in the nation.
Many graduates are renowned soloists, conductors and composers.
Many are members of symphony orchestras, chamber ensembles and opera companies throughout the world. Others are teachers, scholars, administrators and leaders in the music industry. The USC Symphony, Chamber Orchestra, Chamber Singers, Concert Choir, Opera, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, Trojan Marching Band, Jazz Ensemble, Contemporary Music Ensemble, Early Music Ensemble and a wide variety of large and small choral and instrumental ensembles assure students the broadest musical 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. The development of the School of Music over the past century has been parallel to the development of the city of Los Angeles as an international center of musical activity.