USC Thornton Trumpet Quintet wins National Trumpet Competition
The USC Thornton Trumpet Quintet—comprised of Tali Duckworth, Imani Duhe, Jessica Farmer, Ben Gunnarson and Amy Millesen—won the ensemble division of the National Trumpet Competition on March 27. They were among three finalists after moving past 40 trumpet ensembles in the first round of the competition. The winners are students of Thornton Winds & Percussion… Continue reading USC Thornton Trumpet Quintet wins National Trumpet Competition
Jacobo Herrera and Jacob Vogel promote the marching arts in USC News
USC Thornton music industry student Jacobo Herrera and USC Trojan Marching Band director Jacob Vogel were featured in USC News to promote March Fourth, a day dedicated to celebrating the marching arts. Herrera, drum major and student general manager, reflected on professional experiences he’s gained while being in marching band, from starring on national television… Continue reading Jacobo Herrera and Jacob Vogel promote the marching arts in USC News
Billy Childs premieres violin concerto at Grant Park Music Festival
GRAMMY Award-winning artist and Thornton alumnus Billy Childs (’79) premieres his Violin Concerto No. 2 at the Grant Park Music Festival in Chicago on July 15-16. The piece will be performed by the festival’s Project Inclusions String Quartet and features acclaimed violinist Rachel Barton Pine as a soloist. Grant Park Music Festival co-commissioned the composition,… Continue reading Billy Childs premieres violin concerto at Grant Park Music Festival
Grant Gershon’s 20th season with the LA Master Chorale celebrated by the LA Times
USC Thornton alumnus Grant Gershon (’85) recently celebrated his 20th season as the artistic director of the Los Angeles Master Chorale. The Los Angeles Times recognized this milestone with a story that explored how Gershon has transformed the LA Master Chorale into one of the country’s most adventurous and boundary-pushing choirs. Associate artistic director and… Continue reading Grant Gershon’s 20th season with the LA Master Chorale celebrated by the LA Times
Thornton students and alumni win at Virginia Waring International Piano Competition
Several USC Thornton students and alumni won awards in the 2022 Virginia Waring International Piano Competition. Christopher Richardson, a master’s student in the Thornton Keyboard Studies program, won second place in the concerto division. Keyboard studies DMA candidate Andrew Boyle and USC Thornton alumnus Benjamin Hopkins (BM ’12, GC ’14, MM ’16) also won solo… Continue reading Thornton students and alumni win at Virginia Waring International Piano Competition
Kate Crellin publishes debut choral compositions
Kate Crellin (’19), an alumna of the USC Thornton Department of Choral & Sacred Music, recently published her debut choral compositions with Heritage Music Press. The debut pieces include “Day of Fire and Sun,” “Give Me Your Stars to Hold” and “Home-Thoughts, From Abroad.” Crellin currently serves as the choir director for the GRAMMY Award-winning… Continue reading Kate Crellin publishes debut choral compositions
Jensen McRae releases debut album “Are You Happy Now?”
USC Thornton Popular Music program alumna and singer-songwriter Jensen McRae (’19) released her debut album, Are You Happy Now?, on March 22 with Human Re Sources Records. The project features her widely acclaimed hit “Immune” and four other tracks from her EP Who Hurt You? McRae is currently on tour with Amos Lee, and she… Continue reading Jensen McRae releases debut album “Are You Happy Now?”
Thornton Jazz Studies Department students named winners at DownBeat’s 45th Annual Student Music Awards
Several USC Thornton Jazz Studies Department students won awards in DownBeat’s 45th annual Student Music Awards. These awards will be published in the June edition of DownBeat Magazine. The Michael Neufeld Quintet, led by USC Thornton faculty member Michael Stever, won in the category of asynchronous small jazz combo for undergraduate college outstanding performance. Trombonist,… Continue reading Thornton Jazz Studies Department students named winners at DownBeat’s 45th Annual Student Music Awards
Giovanni Santos (MM ’07) has new work premiered by Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble
This month, the Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble will premiere Thornton alum Giovanni Santos’ (MM ‘07) new saxophone concerto, “I Dream Awake,” with soloist and fellow alumnus Andrew Harrison. Santos currently serves as the director of wind and percussion studies at La Sierra University, where he directs the University Wind Ensemble, Chamber Winds and Big… Continue reading Giovanni Santos (MM ’07) has new work premiered by Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble
Gabriel Martins joins Opus 3 Artists roster
USC Thornton Strings Department alum Gabriel Martins (’19) has signed to independent artist management firm Opus 3 Artists. Martins is an acclaimed cellist who has been recognized for his artistry in many competitions including the 2020 Sphinx Competition, the David Popper International Cello Competition and the International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians. Earlier this year,… Continue reading Gabriel Martins joins Opus 3 Artists roster