Thornton receives 27 nominations for 68th Grammy Awards
On Nov. 11, alumni, faculty and Creative Vanguard Artists from the USC Thornton School of Music received 27 nominations for the 68th Grammy Awards. Our list of honorees includes veterans scoring a repeat trip to the awards, rising talent and first-time nominees. The album Fasten Up by jazz super group Yellowjackets was nominated for Best… Continue reading Thornton receives 27 nominations for 68th Grammy Awards
USC alum Lenny Waronker inducted into 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
USC alum and former Thornton Board of Councilors member Lenny Waronker was recently inducted into the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Waronker is best known for his historic tenure as head of Warner Brothers A&R through the ‘70s and president through the ‘80s, where he groundbreakingly prioritized creative integrity over commercial pressure. Having… Continue reading USC alum Lenny Waronker inducted into 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Billboard names USC Thornton a top music business school
On October 25, Billboard included USC Thornton School of Music on their 2025 list of Top Music Business Schools in the nation. This marks the seventh consecutive year that USC Thornton has been ranked among Billboard’s top music business schools that are preparing the next generation of music industry leaders for success. The article highlighted… Continue reading Billboard names USC Thornton a top music business school
Michael Abels discusses diversity regression at 2025 WSA Film Music Days
USC Thornton alumnus and founder Michael Abels (‘84), Sandro Morales-Santoro and Amritha Vaz of Composers Diversity Collective (CDC) spoke at a panel at the Music Days at Film Fest Gent. Winners of the World Soundtrack Awards Industry Award, which recognizes meaningful contribution in the film music industry, the CDC aims to overcome barriers of cultural… Continue reading Michael Abels discusses diversity regression at 2025 WSA Film Music Days
Switched on Pop podcast won Signal Award for Best Original Score/Music
USC Thornton musicology faculty member Nate Sloan‘s podcast, Switched on Pop, has won the bronze Signal Award for Best Original Score/Music. The Signal Awards aim to “recognize the most potent, meaningful and unprecedented audio projects being made today.” Hosted by Sloan with songwriter and music educator Charlie Harding, Switched on Pop breaks down the musical… Continue reading Switched on Pop podcast won Signal Award for Best Original Score/Music
Solange named Scholar-in-Residence at USC Thornton School of Music
Solange is named USC Thornton’s first Scholar-in-Residence, joining the Dean’s Creative Vanguard program. Recognized as a Grammy-winning artist, she is a true multi-hyphenate whose work explores music, choreography, design, architecture, visual art and more. Most recently, free libraries to conserve rare black and brown literature were launched through her multidisciplinary institution Saint Heron. Solange announced… Continue reading Solange named Scholar-in-Residence at USC Thornton School of Music
Cody Westheimer directs and scores climate change documentary, “Saving the Foothills”
USC Thornton Composition program alumnus Cody Westheimer (’01) has taken on the roles of director and composer for the climate change documentary, Saving the Foothills. The film captures the determined efforts of community members and organizations as they unite to protect 101 acres of the West Mesa in the San Marcos Foothills from development. Their… Continue reading Cody Westheimer directs and scores climate change documentary, “Saving the Foothills”
USC Thornton Baroque Sinfonia performance celebrates history and emotion, says Daily Trojan
On Oct. 6, Alexandria Narinyan of the Daily Trojan delivered an evocative review of the Baroque Sinfonia program. Narinyan’s poetic account described the musical event as “representing the whirlwind of emotions and feelings of being in love,” capturing the passionate spirit of the night. Especially valuable to students were the introductions and descriptions of each… Continue reading USC Thornton Baroque Sinfonia performance celebrates history and emotion, says Daily Trojan
Kana Funayama joins Pasadena City College as Applied Percussion faculty
Kana Funayama (ARTD ’25), acclaimed marimbist, percussionist and collaborator, has been appointed as a faculty member in Applied Percussion at Pasadena City College (PCC). Her extensive teaching background includes delivering masterclasses and guest lessons at leading institutions such as the USC Thornton School of Music, in addition to serving as percussion faculty at California State… Continue reading Kana Funayama joins Pasadena City College as Applied Percussion faculty
Andrés Pichardo-Rosenthal and Wesley Sumpter appointed to Los Angeles Philharmonic percussion section
USC Thornton Winds & Percussion alum Andrés Pichardo-Rosenthal (MM ’12) and master’s student Wesley Sumpter have been appointed to the percussion section at the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The pair have filled the final two spots in the LA Phil’s timpani/percussion section, which is now made up entirely of USC studio musicians. Pichardo-Rosenthal has performed with… Continue reading Andrés Pichardo-Rosenthal and Wesley Sumpter appointed to Los Angeles Philharmonic percussion section