Robert Cutietta, Dean of the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California, introduces himself and the school that he runs, and shares his thoughts on some of the school's key goals, such as hiring and fostering a faculty who are both artists and teachers, further improving the institution’s already impressive community outreach initiatives, and launching a new Popular Music program. He also gives advice to music students and their parents, about how to prepare for a college career in a music program, and what his program in particular looks for in the students it accepts.

Robert Cutietta, Dean of the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California, gives advice to young students on preparing for their entry auditions to the music school of their choice.

Robert Cutietta, Dean of the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California, explains to parents of music students why requiring their children to have a fallback option sabotages their college education, and why a college isn't like a trade school.

Robert Cutietta, Dean of the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California, explains why the state of music education in the USA is in certain ways better than the naysayers would claim, and points to some areas in which public schools are doing outstanding things in the field. He also identifies some key ways in which public schools, in general, can make broad improvements in how they teach music, and discusses why this is important.

Robert Cutietta, Dean of the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California, describes the fifth-year intensive music education program that his school runs, for students who did not major in music education who decide late in their undergraduate career that they really want to go into music education.

Robert Cutietta, Dean of the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California, discusses the school's mission to its students, community and faculty, and what that mission means in practice.

Robert Cutietta, Dean of the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California, discusses the school's commitment to community service and interaction, and how the community programs fit into the life of the students. He discusses in particular faculty member Midori's initiatives to break down barriers between the music program and the rest of USC and Los Angeles at large.

Robert Cutietta, Dean of the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California, discusses the "artist-teacher" standard for faculty at the School - meaning that any incoming member of the music faculty is evaulated for excellence both as a teacher/clinician and as a performing artist, and is expected to maintain a high level of professionalism in both fields. He also describes how this philosophy trickles down to the student body.

Robert Cutietta, Dean of the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California, discusses how technology has affected the teaching and learning of music at the school - in specific, how the revolution in home recording has changed how the school structures its curricula, and how the university’s participation in Internet 2 is improving collaborative and off-campus learning opportunities for the student body.

Robert Cutietta, Dean of the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California, describes the Music Industry program at the school, and which portions of the student body take advantage of these course offerings. He also discusses why an understanding of the business of music is fundamental to any career in music.

Robert Cutietta, Dean of the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California, describes what the future holds for his institution, especially the 2008 launching of the new Popular Music Performance program - the first of its kind in the country, and some near- and mid-term goals for other programs at the school. Finally, he discusses some of the responsibilities of being Dean of one of the top-rated music schools in the United States.

Robert Cutietta, Dean of the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California, discusses what prospective music students need to consider when choosing a music program that will fit their specific musical and personal goals - in specific, finding a school that will match your musical interests and educational goals. He also discusses the nuts and bolts of preparing for the music program of your choice.