Camae Ayewa named International Artist of the Year in 2023 German Jazz Prize
USC Thornton composition program faculty member Camae Ayewa, also known as Moor Mother, was named International Artist of the Year in the 2023 German Jazz Prize. The musician, composer, poet, visual artist and curator will receive a trophy and €10,000 prize. Launched by Germany’s former Minister of State for Culture Monika Grütters, the German Jazz… Continue reading Camae Ayewa named International Artist of the Year in 2023 German Jazz Prize
Alex Park to perform concerto by Elmer Bernstein with Culver City Symphony Orchestra
Alex Park, a doctoral candidate in the USC Thornton Classical Guitar program, will perform Elmer Bernstein’s Concerto for Guitar & Orchestra – “For Two Christophers” with the Culver City Symphony Orchestra on June 24. The orchestra will be conducted by Steven Allen Fox (GCRT ’00), who studied with the late Bernstein, a luminary of Thornton’s… Continue reading Alex Park to perform concerto by Elmer Bernstein with Culver City Symphony Orchestra
Theodore Strich wins first prize at 2023 Sinta Quartet National Composition Competition
USC Thornton Composition program student Theodore Strich won first prize at the 2023 Sinta Quartet National Composition Competition with his piece, “The Mind.” As one of the two first prize winners, Strich will receive $500 and have his piece premiered by the Sinta Quartet in August 2023.
Jasmin White wins second prize at 2023 Queen Elisabeth Competition
Jasmin White (’15), a USC Thornton Vocal Arts & Opera alum, won second prize for voice at the 2023 Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels on June 3. The competition consisted of three rounds, after which 12 finalists were chosen and six won the top prizes. White earned €20.000 in addition to concert opportunities and a… Continue reading Jasmin White wins second prize at 2023 Queen Elisabeth Competition
Violinist Eudice Shapiro commemorated in article by The Forward
Pioneering violinist and former USC Thornton strings faculty member Eudice Shapiro was commemorated in an article by The Forward on May 9. Journalist Benjamin Ivry shared little-known facts about Shapiro’s life and the Jewish friends, composers and students who were a part of it. The article referenced USC News’ Title IX story on Shapiro, featuring… Continue reading Violinist Eudice Shapiro commemorated in article by The Forward
USC Thornton Chamber Singers perform at Carnegie Hall
On June 3, the USC Thornton Chamber Singers joined the New England Symphonic Ensemble at Carnegie Hall for a performance of Fauré’s Requiem in D Minor, conducted by Choral & Sacred Music chair Tram Sparks. The Chamber Singers concluded their memorable trip to New York City with a post-concert dinner cruise along the Hudson River.… Continue reading USC Thornton Chamber Singers perform at Carnegie Hall
Koji Sakano wins first prize at Undergraduate Symposium for Scholarly and Creative Work
Koji Sakano (’23), a Choral and Sacred Music program alumnus, has won first prize in the Arts & Humanities category at the Undergraduate Symposium for Scholarly and Creative Work for his work on Ainu vocal music. Sakano collaborated with Christopher Hepburn, a postdoctoral fellow at USC Dornsife’s East Asian Studies Center, to produce a project… Continue reading Koji Sakano wins first prize at Undergraduate Symposium for Scholarly and Creative Work
Etienne Gara releases new album with Delirium Musicum
Violinist and USC Thornton alumnus Etienne Gara (GCRT ’13) released the album SEASONS for Warner Classics on April 7. He collaborated with chamber ensemble Delirium Musicum, which includes USC Thornton alumni YuEun Kim (GCRT ‘15, AD ‘17) and Misha Vayman (GCRT ’20). Described as “eight delightfully unhinged seasons,” the album features Max Richter’s The New… Continue reading Etienne Gara releases new album with Delirium Musicum
Misha Vayman joins Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
Violinist and USC Thornton Strings department alumnus Misha Vayman (GCRT ’20) has joined Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) in the Violin I section. In addition to his career as a soloist, recording artist and now, LACO member, Vayman performs in several bands including Astral Mixtape, the genre-bending quartet made up of fellow Thornton alumni Juan-Salvador… Continue reading Misha Vayman joins Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
Nina Young and Nina Shekhar to premiere works in LACO’s 2023-2024 season
USC Thornton Composition faculty member Nina Young and Composition alumna Nina Shekhar (MM ‘20) will premiere new works in Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra’s 2023-2024 season, announced by San Francisco Classical Voice on May 1. “Traces,” composed by Young, will be performed by violinist Jennifer Koh and LACO on November 11 and 12 at the California… Continue reading Nina Young and Nina Shekhar to premiere works in LACO’s 2023-2024 season