Association of Popular Music Education spotlights USC Thornton in August newsletter
The Association for Popular Music Education (APME) featured USC Thornton in the Institutional Member Spotlight of their August 2023 newsletter. They explored the history of Thornton’s Popular Music program and key moments in its past, present and future. In the spotlight, APME shared how alumnus Samuel Rodney Browne’s (‘29) “music of the day” classes at… Continue reading Association of Popular Music Education spotlights USC Thornton in August newsletter
Jo-Michael Scheibe awarded Irish Fulbright
USC Thornton Professor Emeritus of Choral and Sacred Music Jo-Michael Scheibe (DMA ’85) was awarded an Irish Fulbright scholarship for 2023-2024. The scholarship takes him to the Irish Institute of Music and Song in Balbriggan, where he will lead courses in Choral Conducting and Choral Methods and conduct the Institute’s Chamber Chorale.
Jasmin White wins 2023 Queen Sonja Singing Competition
Jasmin White (‘15), a USC Thornton Vocal Arts & Opera alum, won first prize at the Queen Sonja Singing Competition in Oslo, Norway on August 26. The competition began with 40 singers in the preliminary rounds and came down to six finalists. White earned €50,000 and artwork by H.M. Queen Sonja, who presented the awards… Continue reading Jasmin White wins 2023 Queen Sonja Singing Competition
Violinist Francisco Fullana featured in The Strad
Francisco Fullana, a violinist and USC Thornton alumnus (GCRT ‘15), was featured in The Strad on August 7. He discussed the childhood summers in Andalusia that inspired his latest album, Spanish Light. “One of my earliest recollections involves walking hand in hand with my great-grandmother on a hot summer night, as music and laughter filtered… Continue reading Violinist Francisco Fullana featured in The Strad
Anuj Bhutani and Nina C. Young named 2023 Chamber Music America Classical Commissioning Grantees
USC Thornton Composition master’s student Anuj Bhutani and Composition faculty member Nina C. Young were named 2023 Chamber Music America Classical Commissioning Grantees. Bhutani, a composer and performer studying under Composition faculty member Ted Hearne, will use his grant to produce a new work with the Khemia Ensemble. Young’s grant will support her creation of… Continue reading Anuj Bhutani and Nina C. Young named 2023 Chamber Music America Classical Commissioning Grantees
Trojan Family Magazine spotlights video game scoring at USC Thornton
Trojan Family Magazine spotlighted video game scoring at USC Thornton in their Summer 2023 issue, featuring interviews with Screen Scoring program alumna Lauren Kott (MM ’23), and faculty members Jeanine Cowen and Garry Schyman. They explored how Thornton’s Screen Scoring program has contributed to the growth of the video game industry, which is now valued… Continue reading Trojan Family Magazine spotlights video game scoring at USC Thornton
Ted Hearne earns praise for new choral work
Ted Hearne, a composer and USC Thornton Composition program faculty member, earned praise from The New York Times and NPR for his new choral work, Farming. The piece premiered on June 22 on a Pennsylvania farm and was performed by The Crossing. Featuring 24 vocalists as well as guitars, percussions and electronics, Farming grapples with… Continue reading Ted Hearne earns praise for new choral work
Luciana Souza
Luciana Souza was born in São Paulo, Brazil in 1966. Souza grew up in a family of Bossa Nova innovators—her father, a singer and songwriter, her mother, a poet and lyricist. Her work as a performer transcends traditional boundaries around musical styles, offering solid roots in jazz, sophisticated lineage in world music and an enlightened… Continue reading Luciana Souza
Baroque ensemble Musica Transalpina presents inaugural concert
The new baroque sacred music ensemble Musica Transalpina—formed by USC Thornton alumni Bryan Roach (’14) and Noah Gladstone (MM ’08), as well as Pomona College faculty member Luc Kleiner—will present their inaugural concert on August 27 at 3 p.m. at St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach. Dedicated exclusively to repertoire of the 17th century,… Continue reading Baroque ensemble Musica Transalpina presents inaugural concert
Astral Mixtape named winner of 2023 Astral Artists National Competition
Astral Mixtape, which features USC Thornton alumni Misha Vayman (GCRT ’20), Juan-Salvador Carrasco (MM ’19, GCRT, ’20) and Michael Siess (MM ’19), was named a winner of the 2023 Astral Artists National Competition. The chamber ensemble is one of seven winners who have been invited to join the artist roster in Astral’s 23/24 season. Still… Continue reading Astral Mixtape named winner of 2023 Astral Artists National Competition