Gustavo Dudamel to conduct Nina Shekhar’s New York premiere of “The Mother is Standing”
Gustavo Dudamel, music and artistic director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, will conduct USC Thornton Composition alumna Nina Shekhar’s The Mother is Standing at the New York Philharmonic’s Spring Gala on April 24. Dedicated to Shekhar’s mother, the piece examines the love between a mother and child across cultures and religions. This year’s Spring Gala… Continue reading Gustavo Dudamel to conduct Nina Shekhar’s New York premiere of “The Mother is Standing”
Jongnic Bontemps wins Outstanding Original Score at 55th NAACP Image Awards
At the 55th NAACP Image Awards, Jongnic Bontemps (GCRT ‘12) won Outstanding Original Score for TV/Motion Picture for the film, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. The awards ceremony was held on March 16 at The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. The annual NAACP Image Awards celebrate the achievements and performances of people of color in… Continue reading Jongnic Bontemps wins Outstanding Original Score at 55th NAACP Image Awards
Choral students, faculty and alumni attend Western ACDA conference
USC Thornton’s Choral & Sacred Music program was well represented at the Western American Choral Directors Association conference that took place on March 6-9 in Pasadena. Robert Istad (DMA ‘06) performed with the CSU Fullerton University Singers while Shawna Stewart (DMA ‘13) performed with the Biola University Chorale. Michelle Jensen (DMA ’23) presented a concert… Continue reading Choral students, faculty and alumni attend Western ACDA conference
Austin Wintory conducts 2024 Game Developers Conference performance in San Francisco
USC Thornton Composition program alumnus Austin Wintory (‘07) conducted a live instrumental performance at the 2024 Game Developers Conference on March 20 in San Francisco. Co-hosted by voice actor Troy Baker, the performance showcased influential and award-winning game scores throughout history, with a focus on this last year. The concert was presented in accompaniment with… Continue reading Austin Wintory conducts 2024 Game Developers Conference performance in San Francisco
Michael Mennell
Michael Mennell is a Southern California-based bassist and vocalist. He has maintained a 22-plus year teaching career in Los Angeles, and he continues to mentor young players and singers while maintaining a full schedule of recording sessions, live engagements, and tours. Mennell has recorded with artists including John Fogerty, Billy F. Gibbons, Keith Urban, Joe… Continue reading Michael Mennell
Jane Davidson offers legal insight into “Hotel California” trial
Jane Davidson (‘14), a USC Thornton Music Industry program alumna and faculty member, was featured in a KCAL 9 News segment about The Eagles’ “Hotel California” lyrics trial. Ownership over the song’s lyrics has been in question for several years. In February, three men were charged with conspiring to own and sell manuscripts of “Hotel… Continue reading Jane Davidson offers legal insight into “Hotel California” trial
Noreen Green conducts “Symphony of the Holocaust” at Palm Springs Jewish Film Festival
Noreen Green (DMA ‘91), a USC Thornton Choral & Sacred Music alumna, conducted the premiere of a chamber version of Shony Alex Braun’s “Symphony of the Holocaust” at the Palm Springs Jewish Film Festival on March 11. The documentary of the same name honors the musical career of Braun, a child violin prodigy and Holocaust… Continue reading Noreen Green conducts “Symphony of the Holocaust” at Palm Springs Jewish Film Festival
Thomas Goedecke joins University of Hawai’i Maui College music faculty
USC Thornton Composition program alumnus Thomas Goedecke (‘13) has joined the University of Hawai’i Maui College as a faculty member in their Institute of Hawaiian Music. Goedecke will work with the Institute’s founder, Keola Donoghy, to teach and recruit students for the Hawaiian Music and General Music certificate programs. At Thornton, Goedecke studied with Veronika… Continue reading Thomas Goedecke joins University of Hawai’i Maui College music faculty
Faculty and alumni perform on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert
USC Thornton faculty and alumni performed on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert in February. On Feb. 19, Composition program faculty member Camae Ayewa (Moor Mother) performed a Tiny Desk Concert with the free-jazz group, Irreversible Entanglements. She sang six tracks, including songs from the band’s new album, Protect Your Light. Watch the performance here. Jazz Studies… Continue reading Faculty and alumni perform on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert
Kaitlin Miller named 2023-2025 Concert Artist of American Harp Society
Kaitlin Miller, a master’s student in the USC Thornton Strings department, was named the American Harp Society’s (AHS) 2023-2025 Concert Artist. As AHS Concert Artist, she will give performances, classes and/or workshops that benefit local harp communities. In February, she performed recitals and taught masterclasses in Atlanta, Minneapolis, Chicago and Denver, with more travels on… Continue reading Kaitlin Miller named 2023-2025 Concert Artist of American Harp Society