Choral alumni enjoy appointments and accolades

Several USC Thornton alumni have made news recently for their extraordinary accomplishments.

Troy Quinn (DMA ’14, choral music) has been appointed as conductor of the Juneau Symphony in Alaska, launching the orchestra’s 2015-16 performance season in October. In addition to his traditional conducting experience, Quinn has developed a strong career in the television and recording industry and believes that musical diversity is key to engaging new audiences. He was quoted by Alaska Public Media, saying that “Beethoven five is on my iPod, Usher and Alicia Keys. It’s all music, it’s all good. We just need a common denominator so people can be exposed to the classics.”

Alumnus Seth Houston (DMA ’14, choral music), who currently leads the choral programs of Carroll University in Wisconsin, will take the position of Director of Choral Activities at the Claire Trevor School of the Arts at the University of California, Irvine. While at USC, Houston served as co-conductor of USC Thornton University Chorus.

Ethan Sperry (MM ’98, DMA ’00, choral music) continues to receive positive press for his work as Director of Choral Activities at Portland State University. In an exhaustive review of the university’s recent choral performances, Oregon ArtsWatch noted that Sperry is “one of the most charismatic musicians you’ll ever see.”