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Upcoming events
Classical Guitar Department Recital
Students of USC Thornton’s renowned Classical Guitar department present an enthralling evening of chamber music for guitar.
Newman Recital Hall (AHF)
Jazz Night featuring CreSCendo
The CreSCendo Vocal Jazz Ensemble, led by Sara Gazarek, headlines this ongoing series of contemporary jazz. SPRING SCHEDULE: Thurs, Feb. 15 at 8PM - Feat. USC Thornton Concert Jazz Orchestra Thurs, Feb. 22 at 8PM Thurs, Mar. 1 at 8PM - Feat. ALAJE Thurs, Mar. 8 at 8PM Mon, Mar. 19 at 7:30PM Thurs, Mar. 22 at 8PM Thurs, Mar. 29 at 8PM - Feat. USC Thornton Jazz Honors Combo Thurs, Apr. 12 at 8PM - Feat. USC Thornton Jazz Orchestra Thurs, Apr. 19 at 8PM - Feat. CreSCendo Mon, Apr. 23 at 7:30PM
Carson Center (CTV)
Pop String Ensemble
USC Thornton’s new Pop String Ensemble presents original compositions and arrangements in a variety of popular genres.
The Songwriter’s Theater
USC Thornton Opera Presents "Postcard from Morocco"
The USC Thornton Opera, together with the USC Thornton Symphony, presents Dominick Argento's Postcard from Morocco, a vivid and often absurd portrait of travelers frozen in time as they wait for their lives’ journey to continue. USC School of Dramatic Arts faculty member John DeMita directs the one-act opera, while musical director Brent McMunn conducts.
Bing Theatre (BIT)
USC Collegium Workshop: German Devotional Song Before 1500
Adam Knight Gilbert leads the USC Collegium Workshop in a performance featuring sacred music by Hildegard von Bingen, polyphonic chant settings from the Glogauer Liederbuch copied at the Abbey of Żagań, and devotional music collected by fifteenth-century women.
United University Church (UUC)
Chamber Music Festival: Winds & Percussion
As part of a three-day festival, USC Thornton’s Winds & Percussion students present an afternoon of chamber music under the direction of Kristy Morrell. FESTIVAL SCHEDULE: Winds & Percussion - Mon., Apr. 23 at 4:30PM Vocal Arts - Tue., Apr. 24 at 5:30PM Strings - Tue., Apr. 24 at 7:30PM Strings - Wed., Apr. 25 at 5PM & 7:30PM
Newman Recital Hall (AHF)
Jazz Night
Students from Thornton's jazz programs showcase contemporary jazz works at Carson Center. SPRING SCHEDULE: Thurs, Feb. 15 at 8PM - Feat. USC Thornton Concert Jazz Orchestra Thurs, Feb. 22 at 8PM Thurs, Mar. 1 at 8PM - Feat. ALAJE Thurs, Mar. 8 at 8PM Mon, Mar. 19 at 7:30PM Thurs, Mar. 22 at 8PM Thurs, Mar. 29 at 8PM - Feat. USC Thornton Jazz Honors Combo Thurs, Apr. 12 at 8PM - Feat. USC Thornton Jazz Orchestra Thurs, Apr. 19 at 8PM - Feat. CreSCendo Mon, Apr. 23 at 7:30PM
Carson Center (CTV)
Chamber Music Festival: Vocal Arts
As part of a three-day festival, Vocal Arts students collaborate with student instrumentalists in repertoire from the Classical Era to the 21st century under the direction of Lisa Sylvester. FESTIVAL SCHEDULE: Winds & Percussion - Mon., Apr. 23 at 4:30PM Vocal Arts - Tue., Apr. 24 at 5:30PM Strings - Tue., Apr. 24 at 7:30PM Strings - Wed., Apr. 25 at 5PM & 7:30PM
Newman Recital Hall (AHF)
Chamber Music Festival: Strings
As the culmination of a three-day festival, USC Thornton's Strings students present chamber music repertoire from the Classical Era to the 21st century under the direction of Karen Dreyfus. FESTIVAL SCHEDULE: Winds & Percussion - Mon., Apr. 23 at 4:30PM Vocal Arts - Tue., Apr. 24 at 5:30PM Strings - Tue., Apr. 24 at 7:30PM Strings - Wed., Apr. 25 at 5PM & 7:30PM
Newman Recital Hall (AHF)
Popular Music: First-Year Showcase
Led by professors Andy Abad and Patrice Rushen, first-year Popular Music program students explore the foundations of their craft in this showcase event. POPULAR MUSIC SHOWCASES: First Year - Wed., Feb. 28 at 8PM - Tommy's Place Second Year - Fri., Mar. 2 at 8PM - Carson Center First Year - Wed., Apr. 25 at 8PM - Tommy's Place Second Year - Fri., Apr. 27 at 8PM - Carson Center Third Year - Sat., Apr. 28 at 7:30PM - Carson Center Senior Showcase - TBD
Tommy's Place (TCC)
Lute Masterclass with Paul O'Dette
Paul O’Dette, renowned lutenist, conductor, and musicologist, visits USC Thornton for a masterclass on early music and classical guitar performance.
Ramo Recital Hall (BMH)
Keyboard Studies: Concerto Competition Finals
Selected student finalists from the Keyboard Studies department perform before a panel of guest adjudicators in this popular competition finale.
Newman Recital Hall (AHF)
Spotlights
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Video
In Their Own Words
There are many things that make USC Thornton an extraordinary place to study music, but don’t take our word for it. Let our students tell you.
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Careers In Community Music
The emerging field of community music champions music as an agent for positive change in nontraditional settings, from after-school programs to music education for seniors.
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A Growing Need for Community Music
USC Thornton alumna Catherine Cooper launched a music education program for underprivileged students in central California.
News

Dana Gioia wins Poets’ Prize
April 9, 2018
Dana Gioia, USC Thornton Arts Leadership and Musicology faculty member and Poet Laureate of California, recently won the Poets’ Prize for his retrospective, 99 Poems, which was published in 2016. The Poets’ Prize recognizes a book published by a living American poet each year. Gioia, who served as the chairman… read more