The USC Thornton Jazz Orchestra and USC Thornton Concert Jazz Orchestra are joined by Grammy-winning composer/arranger Maria Schneider. One of the great big band composers of a generation, Schneider will share her music, knowledge and talents with our big band. — Admission is free and open to the public with RSVP. View all of Thornton's Signature Series events. All Thornton Signature Series Events have a standby line for fully booked events. Please arrive early to claim your ticket and allow enough time for parking, locating the venue, and checking in. If you have not arrived five minutes before the start time, you forfeit your spot to the waitlist/standby line.