Patrice Rushen and Joanna Demers featured in Shondaland article on music and time
On Feb. 20, USC Thornton Popular Music program chair Patrice Rushen and Musicology department faculty member Joanna Demers were featured on Shondaland. In the article, Rushen and Demers explained the benefits of nostalgia in music education. Rushen discussed how and why songs live long past their release dates, referencing her 1982 Grammy-nominated R&B single “Forget… Continue reading Patrice Rushen and Joanna Demers featured in Shondaland article on music and time
Ken Foster publishes new book in arts and cultural leadership
USC Thornton professor of practice and director of the arts leadership program Ken Foster has published the second edition of his book, Arts and Cultural Leadership: Creating Sustainable Arts Organizations. This latest edition is described as “a valuable resource both for present-day arts and cultural leaders who are working to adapt to the current environment… Continue reading Ken Foster publishes new book in arts and cultural leadership
Yura Lee interviewed by Violinist.com
Yura Lee, USC Thornton Alice and Eleonore Schoenfeld Endowed Chair in String Instruction and principal violist of Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, was featured on Violinst.com. In the interview, Lee spoke about stepping into a demanding career at a young age and rediscovering her love for music, especially chamber music, as a violist. “I think everything… Continue reading Yura Lee interviewed by Violinist.com
Thornton alumni win at African American Film Critics Association Awards
Two USC Thornton alumni have received awards at the 14th Annual African American Film Critics Association Awards (AAFCA), which honors outstanding achievement in film. Screen Scoring alum Ludwig Göransson (GCRT ‘08) won Best Song for “Life Me Up” from the film, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Composition alum Michael Abels (BM ‘84) has been named a… Continue reading Thornton alumni win at African American Film Critics Association Awards
Billy Childs composition to be featured at “Treelogy” concert
GRAMMY Award-winning artist and USC Thornton Composition program alumnus Billy Childs (BM ‘79) will premiere a piece honoring endangered California trees in a three-part concert, Treelogy, on Feb. 23, 2023. Treelogy’s music series will tour California to raise awareness of the state’s trees in response to the unprecedented rise in wildfires. Childs is one of… Continue reading Billy Childs composition to be featured at “Treelogy” concert
Alumni garner nominations for 2023 Society of Composers and Lyricists Awards
Three USC Thornton alumni have been nominated for the 4th Society of Composers and Lyricists Awards. Composition alum Michael Abels (BM ‘84) was nominated for Outstanding Score for a Studio Film with Nope. Composition alum Bear McCreary (BM ‘02) was nominated for Outstanding Score for a Television Production with The Lord of the Rings: Rings… Continue reading Alumni garner nominations for 2023 Society of Composers and Lyricists Awards
Amy Andersson
Amy Andersson is an internationally recognized, Grammy-winning conductor and producer. Named by British music critic Norman Lebrecht as “America’s most-watched symphony orchestra conductor,” Andersson has been praised for her dynamic musicality, expressive technique and cross genre repertoire. She has toured to over 22 countries conducting concerts and recording sessions in symphonic, operatic, film, musical theater… Continue reading Amy Andersson
Laura Leigh Spillane appointed as visiting lecturer at Scripps College
USC Thornton choral music doctoral candidate Laura Leigh Spillane has been appointed visiting lecturer at Scripps College. Spillane will return to the The Joint Music Program of Claremont McKenna, Harvey Mudd, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges to conduct the Claremont Concert Choir and Claremont Treble Choir in Spring 2023.
Rolling Stone celebrates Alan Pasqua’s music career in “Unknown Legends” interview
On Jan. 27, Rolling Stone published a career retrospective on USC Thornton professor of jazz studies and pianist Alan Pasqua in the latest edition of their interview series, Unknown Legends. The series chronicles long-form conversations between senior writer Andy Greene and veteran musicians with a long history of touring and recording alongside icons. Pasqua discussed… Continue reading Rolling Stone celebrates Alan Pasqua’s music career in “Unknown Legends” interview
Chanda Dancy composed score for “Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody”
USC Thornton Screen Scoring program alumna Chanda Dancy (GRCT ‘04) composed the score for the film Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody, released on Dec. 23, 2022. The film is a biopic of legendary pop vocalist Whitney Houston. In an interview, Dancy spoke about collaborating with the film’s director, Kasi Lemmons, and creating a… Continue reading Chanda Dancy composed score for “Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody”