USC Thornton alumni win 2024 Emmy Awards
On Sept. 15, three USC Thornton alumni won 2024 Emmy Awards for excellence in television programming and individual achievement. Composer Carlos Rafael Rivera (MM ’04, DMA ’10) won his third Emmy in the Outstanding Music Composition category for “Lessons in Chemistry.” Music editor Ben Schor (‘02) won his first Emmy in the Outstanding Sound Editing… Continue reading USC Thornton alumni win 2024 Emmy Awards
Bob Reynolds
“My favorite improvisers, regardless of genre, share a talent for spontaneously composing melodies with strong narrative arcs.” says Los Angeles-based saxophonist, composer, and educator Bob Reynolds. “That’s the ideal that’s always inspired my pursuit of this craft.” A three-time Grammy winner with the innovative instrumental collective Snarky Puppy, Reynolds has carved out a unique space… Continue reading Bob Reynolds
Tehillah Alphonso
New Jersey-born and Nebraska-raised, Tehillah Alphonso is a Nigerian American vocalist, pianist, music director and Grammy-nominated arranger based in Los Angeles, California. A proud summa cum laude graduate of the University of Southern California, she received her B.M. in Popular Music Performance from the Thornton School of Music and was named 2020 Outstanding Graduate, becoming… Continue reading Tehillah Alphonso
Alex Hahn
Alex Hahn is a Grammy Award-winning saxophonist and composer based in Los Angeles, California. Still early in his career, Hahn has had the opportunity to perform with many renowned artists such as Herbie Hancock, Esperanza Spalding, the Grammy Award-winning John Daversa Progressive Big Band, Bob Mintzer, Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, Peter Erskine, John Beasley,… Continue reading Alex Hahn
Sal Lozano
Sal Lozano stands out as a leading saxophonist and educator. As a professor of saxophone at the USC Thornton School of Music, Lozano combines a distinguished performance career with a deep commitment to teaching. Lozano’s extensive performance experience includes collaborations with prestigious ensembles such as the Los Angeles Opera, Pacific Symphony and Santa Barbara Symphony.… Continue reading Sal Lozano
Thornton faculty and alumni record 25th anniversary album for Chandra X-ray Observatory
USC Thornton faculty and alumni participated in a recording at Sony Pictures for the upcoming album Chandra-X: Into Darkness, a musical celebration marking 25 years of space exploration and research through the lens of the Chandra X-ray Observatory. Produced by Thornton faculty member Christian Amonson, the project will feature a 95-piece orchestra featuring faculty members… Continue reading Thornton faculty and alumni record 25th anniversary album for Chandra X-ray Observatory
New York Philharmonic performs Nina Shekhar’s “Lumina” in China
On June 28, the New York Philharmonic performed composer Nina Shekhar‘s (MM ’20) “Lumina” at the Guangzhou Opera House in China. Her piece was featured alongside works by Mahler and Brahms. The concert was conducted by music director of the New York Philharmonic, Jaap van Zweden. *** Photo by Shervin Lainez
Patrice Rushen honored at 2024 Black Music Honors
USC Thornton Popular Music program faculty member Patrice Rushen was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the ninth annual Black Music Honors. The ceremony, which recognizes artists who have contributed to African-American culture and American music, took place on May 18 in Atlanta, Georgia. “We are extremely proud to bring more visibility to these… Continue reading Patrice Rushen honored at 2024 Black Music Honors
Jensen McRae releases new single “Massachusetts”
Singer-songwriter and USC Thornton Popular Music alumna Jensen McRae (’19) released her first single of the year, “Massachusetts,” which was featured in KCRW‘s Best New Music section. She shared on X that the song is about “all the pieces of a person that get left behind after they leave.” McRae released her debut album, Are… Continue reading Jensen McRae releases new single “Massachusetts”
Bobby Borg publishes new book on music marketing
Bobby Borg, a faculty member in the USC Thornton Music Industry program, published a new book titled Music Marketing for the DIY Musician. In this third edition, Borg provides a step-by-step guide for musicians to create a low-budget, customized marketing plan that will prepare them for success in the music industry. The book includes marketing… Continue reading Bobby Borg publishes new book on music marketing