Troy Quinn named pops conductor of Santa Rosa Symphony
Troy Quinn, a faculty member in the USC Thornton Conducting program, was named the pops conductor of the Santa Rosa Symphony. Quinn will make his 2024-25 Symphony Pops Series debut on February 16 with the Classical Mystery Tour: The Music of the Beatles concert. He is the second pops conductor in the Santa Rosa Symphony’s… Continue reading Troy Quinn named pops conductor of Santa Rosa Symphony
Patrick O’Malley releases debut orchestral album “The Horizons” with BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Composer and USC Thornton alumnus Patrick O’Malley (MM ’15, DMA ’19) has released his debut orchestral album The Horizons with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Andrew Constantine. Featuring violist Brett Deubner, O’Malley’s viola concerto is accompanied by his pieces “Soliloquy,” “Obliviana” and “Rest and Restless.” “The viola concerto concerns itself with rejuvenation and… Continue reading Patrick O’Malley releases debut orchestral album “The Horizons” with BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Dean Jason King quoted by TIME Magazine
USC Thornton Dean Jason King was quoted in a TIME Magazine article where he discussed the significance of the song “Les Fleurs” by Minnie Riperton. The song appears on the soundtrack of the new Amy Winehouse biopic, Back to Black. King explained how Riperton’s lyrics, composition and vocals combine to make “Les Fleurs” the perfect… Continue reading Dean Jason King quoted by TIME Magazine
Chanda Dancy to score Zoë Kravitz’s film “Blink Twice”
USC Thornton Screen Scoring program graduate Chanda Dancy (GRCT ‘04) will compose the score for Zoë Kravitz’s film Blink Twice, coming to theaters on August 23. Starring Channing Tatum, the psychological thriller follows a tech billionaire who invites a woman to his private island for a dream vacation, when strange things occur. Dancy is an… Continue reading Chanda Dancy to score Zoë Kravitz’s film “Blink Twice”
Michael Kaminsky and Kevin Lyman launch Idobi Radio Summer School
USC Thornton Music Industry faculty members Michael Kaminsky and Kevin Lyman have co-founded the Idobi Radio Summer School alongside Eric Tobin, a festival tour that will feature six up-and-coming rock bands: Stand Atlantic, Magnolia Park, The Home Team, Scene Queen, Honey Revenge and Letdown. The bands will perform in 25 cities across the United States… Continue reading Michael Kaminsky and Kevin Lyman launch Idobi Radio Summer School
Ennis Harris wins 2024 BMI Composer Award
Ennis Harris (MM ’22), a doctoral candidate in the USC Thornton Jazz Studies program, won the BMI Composer Award in a private ceremony held on May 15 in New York City. Harris was awarded for his piece Adarna (Concertino for Clarinet and Orchestra). Now in its 72nd year, the BMI Composer Award recognizes superior ability… Continue reading Ennis Harris wins 2024 BMI Composer Award
Leigh Wilson wins principal percussion position with Spokane Symphony
USC Thornton Winds & Percussion graduate Leigh Wilson (GCRT ‘24) won the principal percussion position with the Spokane Symphony. He will begin his new appointment in the fall of 2024. Wilson began percussion at age 13, studying under John Tanzer of the Portland Symphony. As a Thornton student, he studied under Director of Percussion Studies… Continue reading Leigh Wilson wins principal percussion position with Spokane Symphony
Composer Anuj Bhutani collaborates with Khemia Ensemble on new work
Composer Anuj Bhutani (MM ’24) will collaborate with the Khemia Ensemble on a new work funded by Chamber Music America’s Classical Commissioning grant program. Still in the early stages of the project, the ensemble has been “meeting with Anuj one-on-one to use experimentation and guided improvisation to create source materials for electronic processing.” *** Photo… Continue reading Composer Anuj Bhutani collaborates with Khemia Ensemble on new work
Gerald Clayton
A quintessential artist and role model for the next generation of jazz musicians, Gerald Clayton will share his extraordinary talents with USC Thornton students as a 2024-2025 Artist-in-Residence in Jazz. Six-time Grammy-nominated pianist, composer and band leader Gerald Clayton earned recent Recording Academy recognition for Happening: Live at the Village Vanguard, his debut release on Blue… Continue reading Gerald Clayton
Composer Nina Shekhar to present world premiere of “Glitter Monster” with LACO
Composer and USC Thornton alumna Nina Shekhar (MM ’20) will present the world premiere of a Sound Investment commissioned piece, Glitter Monster, with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra for their final concert of the 2023-24 season. Conducted by Jaime Martín, the program will also feature Gabriela Montero’s rendition of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 24 in… Continue reading Composer Nina Shekhar to present world premiere of “Glitter Monster” with LACO