Thornton percussionists take center stage in LA Phil’s Reich tribute

On January 17, several alumni and USC Thornton Percussion faculty celebrated legendary composer Steve Reich’s 80th birthday in a special Green Umbrella concert with the Los Angeles Philharmonic (LA Phil). Faculty member James Babor joined alumni Jeffrey Grant (GCRT ’14), Nick Terry (DMA ’11), and Matthew Howard (’12), who is principal percussionist for the LA Phil, in a performance of Reich’s Mallet Quartet. The program also included performances of Reich’s Tehillim and the West Coast premiere of Pulse.

Jim Babor, left, with members of the LA Phil New Music Group.