USC Performance (Violin), (Viola), (Violoncello), (Double Bass) or (Harp)
Transfer Requirements and Classes

The major preparation USC lists for Performance (Violin), (Viola), (Violoncello), (Double Bass) or (Harp) transfers starts with WRIT 150, WRIT 340 and MUCD 348; the full list is below.

81 California community colleges have a current transfer agreement with USC for this major. Pick yours below to see which of its classes count.

California community colleges with a transfer agreement for Performance (Violin), (Viola), (Violoncello), (Double Bass) or (Harp)

Your community college

Which classes count at your community college?

Pick your college to see its class for each USC requirement.

Major Requirements

USC Performance (Violin), (Viola), (Violoncello), (Double Bass) or (Harp) Major Preparation

The courses USC lists as Performance (Violin), (Viola), (Violoncello), (Double Bass) or (Harp) major preparation for transfer applicants, for the 2026-27 academic year. Course numbers are USC's own; pick your community college above to see the matching class there.

Writing

Complete all of these

WRIT 150 Writing and Critical Reasoning–Thematic Approaches
WRIT 340 Advanced Writing and Critical Engagement

Core Thornton Academic Courses (36 units)

Complete all of these

MUCD 348 Instrumental Conducting and Orchestration
MUCO 132a Aural Skills I
MUCO 132b Aural Skills I
MUCO 133a Theory I
MUCO 133b Theory I
MUCO 232a Aural Skills II
MUCO 232b Aural Skills II
MUCO 233a Theory II
MUCO 233b Theory II
MUHL 250g Music and Ideas
MUHL 350g Western Art Music History I
MUHL 351 Western Art Music History II
MUSC 496 Careers in Music

Ensembles (16 units)

Complete all of these

MUEN 320 USC Symphony
MUEN 327 String Chamber Music

Program Intensive (8 units)

Complete all of these

MPST 472 Orchestra Repertoire-Strings
MPKS 481 Interpretation of Baroque Music
MPKS 482 Interpretation of Music of the Classical Period
MPKS 250a Keyboard Instruction I
MUJZ 141a Basic Keyboard Skills for the Improviser

Capstone Projects (4 units)

Complete all of these

MUSC 480 Young Artist Project I
MUSC 481 Young Artist Project II

Writing

Complete all of these

WRIT 150 Writing and Critical Reasoning–Thematic Approaches
WRIT 340 Advanced Writing and Critical Engagement

Core Thornton Academic Courses (36 units)

Complete all of these

MUCD 348 Instrumental Conducting and Orchestration
MUCO 132a Aural Skills I
MUCO 132b Aural Skills I
MUCO 133a Theory I
MUCO 133b Theory I
MUCO 232a Aural Skills II
MUCO 232b Aural Skills II
MUCO 233a Theory II
MUCO 233b Theory II
MUHL 250g Music and Ideas
MUHL 350g Western Art Music History I
MUHL 351 Western Art Music History II
MUSC 496 Careers in Music

Ensembles (12 units)

Complete all of these

MUEN 320 USC Symphony
MUEN 325 Wind and Percussion Chamber Music
MUEN 327 String Chamber Music
MUEN 330 Contemporary Music Ensemble
MUEN 350 Early Music Ensemble

Program Intensive (6 units)

Complete all of these

MPKS 481 Interpretation of Baroque Music
MPKS 482 Interpretation of Music of the Classical Period
MPKS 250a Keyboard Instruction I
MUJZ 141a Basic Keyboard Skills for the Improviser

Capstone Projects (4 units)

Complete all of these

MUSC 480 Young Artist Project I
MUSC 481 Young Artist Project II

Writing

Complete all of these

WRIT 150 Writing and Critical Reasoning–Thematic Approaches
WRIT 340 Advanced Writing and Critical Engagement

Core Thornton Academic Courses (36 units)

Complete all of these

MUCD 348 Instrumental Conducting and Orchestration
MUCO 132a Aural Skills I
MUCO 132b Aural Skills I
MUCO 133a Theory I
MUCO 133b Theory I
MUCO 232a Aural Skills II
MUCO 232b Aural Skills II
MUCO 233a Theory II
MUCO 233b Theory II
MUHL 250g Music and Ideas
MUHL 350g Western Art Music History I
MUHL 351 Western Art Music History II
MUSC 496 Careers in Music

Ensembles (12 units)

Complete all of these

MUEN 320 USC Symphony
MUEN 325 Wind and Percussion Chamber Music
MUEN 327 String Chamber Music
MUEN 330 Contemporary Music Ensemble
MUEN 350 Early Music Ensemble

Program Intensive (6 units)

Complete all of these

MPKS 481 Interpretation of Baroque Music
MPKS 482 Interpretation of Music of the Classical Period
MPKS 250a Keyboard Instruction I
MUJZ 141a Basic Keyboard Skills for the Improviser

Capstone Projects (4 units)

Complete all of these

MUSC 480 Young Artist Project I
MUSC 481 Young Artist Project II

Also listed by USC

USC lists these under the headings shown, apart from the list above.

Contemporary Division Electives (4 units)

4 units from these

MPGU 145 Guitar Proficiency for the Pop Guitarist
MPGU 150 Functional Skills for the Popular Guitarist
MPPM 120 Popular Music Performance I
MPPM 240 Drumming Proficiency for the Popular Musician
MPPM 250 Keyboard Proficiency for the Popular Musician
MPPM 370 The Vocal Edge: Contemporary Vocal Performance Techniques
MTEC 245 Introduction to MIDI Sequencing
MTEC 246 Introduction to Audio Recording and Editing
MTEC 248 Introduction to Music Notation
MTEC 249 Introduction to Web Design for Musicians
MTEC 277x Introduction to Music Technology
MUIN 272x Basics of the Music Industry
MUIN 425 Live Music Production and Promotion
MUJZ 141a Basic Keyboard Skills for the Improviser
MUJZ 150 Beginning Jazz Improvisation
MUJZ 218a Afro-Latin Percussion Instruments
MUJZ 450 Intermediate Jazz Improvisation
MUSC 255 Songwriting I

4 units from these

MPGU 145 Guitar Proficiency for the Pop Guitarist
MPGU 150 Functional Skills for the Popular Guitarist
MPPM 120 Popular Music Performance I
MPPM 240 Drumming Proficiency for the Popular Musician
MPPM 250 Keyboard Proficiency for the Popular Musician
MPPM 370 The Vocal Edge: Contemporary Vocal Performance Techniques
MTEC 245 Introduction to MIDI Sequencing
MTEC 246 Introduction to Audio Recording and Editing
MTEC 248 Introduction to Music Notation
MTEC 249 Introduction to Web Design for Musicians
MTEC 277x Introduction to Music Technology
MUIN 272x Basics of the Music Industry
MUIN 425 Live Music Production and Promotion
MUJZ 141a Basic Keyboard Skills for the Improviser
MUJZ 150 Beginning Jazz Improvisation
MUJZ 218a Afro-Latin Percussion Instruments
MUJZ 450 Intermediate Jazz Improvisation
MUSC 255 Songwriting I

4 units from these

MPGU 145 Guitar Proficiency for the Pop Guitarist
MPGU 150 Functional Skills for the Popular Guitarist
MPPM 120 Popular Music Performance I
MPPM 240 Drumming Proficiency for the Popular Musician
MPPM 250 Keyboard Proficiency for the Popular Musician
MPPM 370 The Vocal Edge: Contemporary Vocal Performance Techniques
MTEC 245 Introduction to MIDI Sequencing
MTEC 246 Introduction to Audio Recording and Editing
MTEC 248 Introduction to Music Notation
MTEC 249 Introduction to Web Design for Musicians
MTEC 277x Introduction to Music Technology
MUIN 272x Basics of the Music Industry
MUIN 425 Live Music Production and Promotion
MUJZ 141a Basic Keyboard Skills for the Improviser
MUJZ 150 Beginning Jazz Improvisation
MUJZ 218a Afro-Latin Percussion Instruments
MUJZ 450 Intermediate Jazz Improvisation
MUSC 255 Songwriting I

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Does USC have a Performance (Violin), (Viola), (Violoncello), (Double Bass) or major for transfer students?

Yes. USC offers Performance (Violin), (Viola), (Violoncello), (Double Bass) or (Harp) and lists the major preparation it expects transfer applicants to complete.

What classes do I need to transfer to USC for Performance (Violin), (Viola), (Violoncello), (Double Bass) or?

USC's Performance (Violin), (Viola), (Violoncello), (Double Bass) or (Harp) major preparation includes WRIT 150, WRIT 340, MUCD 348, MUCO 132a, MUCO 132b and MUCO 133a, with more courses in the list on this page. Pick your community college on this page to see which of its classes match.

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