Bassist Will Cravy wins prize in Pasadena Showcase House competition
Double Bassist and current USC Thornton graduate student William Cravy (BM ‘14, MM ‘16) was awarded second prize and the accompanying $2,500 award in the 30th Annual Pasadena Showcase House Instrumental Competition. The competition was judged by members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. Cravy also has advanced to finals for the 2016 Jefferson International… Continue reading Bassist Will Cravy wins prize in Pasadena Showcase House competition
Composition students and alums win orchestral competitions
USC Thornton Composition students and alumni continue to garner accolades. Two major Midwestern orchestras will feature compositions by USC students and alumni. “Even in Paradise,” by Patrick O’Malley (MM ’15, DMA candidate), and “Kaman Fantasy,” by Saad Haddad (BM, ’14), will be performed as part of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra’s Earshot program, under the baton… Continue reading Composition students and alums win orchestral competitions
Violinist Annelle Gregory performs in Encinitas and Torrance concerts
Violinist Annelle Gregory (BM ’17, violin), a student of USC Thornton Strings professor Glenn Dicterow, as well as laureate of the 2013 Stradivarius International Violin Competition and the 2015 National Sphinx Competition, was a featured performer in two recent concerts. Gregory performed for the city of Encinitas’ Music by the Sea concert series and the… Continue reading Violinist Annelle Gregory performs in Encinitas and Torrance concerts
Scott Jeppesen releases second album with help from jazz alumni, faculty
USC Thornton Jazz Studies alumnus and DMA candidate, Scott Jeppesen (MM ’08), celebrates the release of his second album, “Wonders,” which features original compositions that were inspired by the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The recording includes Jeppesen and fellow Thornton alumni Larry Koonse (’84, jazz) on guitar and Dan Schnelle (’05, jazz) on… Continue reading Scott Jeppesen releases second album with help from jazz alumni, faculty
Keyboard Studies students win prizes at Seattle International Piano Competition
USC Thornton’s Keyboard Studies department set an impressive benchmark at the 2015 Seattle International Piano Festival & Competition, hosted by the Seattle Symphony on October 17, with students and alumni bringing home several prizes. Sam Grodin, a DMA candidate studying with Lucinda Carver, took the Silver medal in the Professional division and its accompanying $1000… Continue reading Keyboard Studies students win prizes at Seattle International Piano Competition
Hui Jin and Aram Arakelyan perform at the USC Global Conference in Shanghai
Tenor Hui Jin, an International Artist Fellow and doctoral candidate of the USC Thornton Vocal Arts and Opera program, performed for attendees of the USC Global Conference in Shanghai last week, accompanied on piano by Keyboard Studies DMA candidate Aram Arakelyan. Jin is a highly-regarded tenor from Beijing who has appeared in numerous opera productions… Continue reading Hui Jin and Aram Arakelyan perform at the USC Global Conference in Shanghai
Popular Music senior Katie Stump releases EP
Katie Stump, a senior in the USC Thornton Popular Music program, has released a new album, “Feels Like Home.” The Daily Trojan notes that the EP originated with a chance meeting in an airport, followed by more than a year of writing and recording in collaboration with producer Mikal Blue. Stump’s style has matured to… Continue reading Popular Music senior Katie Stump releases EP
Thornton new music ensembles sparkle in LATimes review
Two new music ensembles featuring USC Thornton students and faculty were reviewed in the Los Angeles Times for a recent performance as part of Tuesdays@MonkSpace. The HOCKET piano due includes DMA Composition student Thomas Kotcheff (MM ’12) and Composition faculty member Sarah Gibson (MM ’10, DMA ’15). The Sakura ensemble centers around five cellists: Jonathan… Continue reading Thornton new music ensembles sparkle in LATimes review
Violinist YuEun Kim featured in LACMA recital
USC Thornton Artist diploma student YuEun Kim (GCRT ’15, violin), who studies under Midori Goto, won the 2015 Sundays Live at LACMA competition to present a solo recital at the Los Angeles Country Museum of Art on September 13. Kim was the winner among 13 finalists who competed for the opportunity in February. Sundays Live… Continue reading Violinist YuEun Kim featured in LACMA recital
Tuba student Brandon Davis receives Tommy Johnson Scholarship
Tuba player Brandon Davis (MM ’13), currently a doctoral candidate in the USC Thornton Winds & Percussion program, has received the 2015-16 Tommy Johnson Tuba Scholarship, which is awarded annually to an outstanding graduating student. Davis, a native of Washington State, also studies conducting and composition at Thornton. The scholarship honors the legacy of Tommy… Continue reading Tuba student Brandon Davis receives Tommy Johnson Scholarship