Margaret Batjer on Colburn School’s pre-college program
USC Thornton strings department adjunct professor Margaret Batjer spoke with The Violin Channel on Dec. 22 about the Colburn School’s Music Academy pre-college program, offered to students ages 14-18. Batjer is a violin faculty member at the Colburn Music Academy and director of the Academy Virtuosi chamber orchestra. “In today’s world, being a well-rounded musician… Continue reading Margaret Batjer on Colburn School’s pre-college program
Yellowjackets discuss legacy and career
On Jan. 6, GRAMMY.com interviewed the jazz fusion quartet Yellowjackets, comprising USC Thornton faculty members Will Kennedy and Bob Mintzer, recently-retired faculty member Russell Ferrante, and bassist Dane Alderson. The band members chose ten key songs which encompass different moments in their 40-year career, and spoke about past partnerships, song inspirations and the evolution of… Continue reading Yellowjackets discuss legacy and career
Jongnic Bontemps to compose score for “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts”
According to Film Music Reporter, USC Thornton Screen Scoring program alumnus Jongnic Bontemps (GCRT ‘12) will compose the music score for the upcoming film “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.” Bontemps is a film and docuseries composer known for his work on “We Are: The Brooklyn Saints,” “The March on Washington: Keepers of the Dream,” “My… Continue reading Jongnic Bontemps to compose score for “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts”
Jason King
Jason King, Dean of the USC Thornton School of Music, is a multi-talented Canadian-American scholar, journalist, author, musician, performer, producer, songwriter, radio and video host and event curator. Before his appointment at USC, King was chair of the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at Tisch School of the Arts New York University, where he… Continue reading Jason King
Ludwig Göransson receives Oscar nomination for “Lift Me Up”
Early Tuesday morning, Ludwig Göransson (GC ’08) received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song with “Lift Me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. This is the composer’s second Oscar nomination since 2019, when he won the award for Best Original Score for Black Panther. The 95th Oscars ceremony will take place on March 12,… Continue reading Ludwig Göransson receives Oscar nomination for “Lift Me Up”
Elizabeth Rowe featured on Artful Narratives’ “Speaking Soundly” podcast
Elizabeth Rowe, principal flutist at the Boston Symphony Orchestra and USC Thornton alumna (BM ‘96), was featured on Artful Narratives’ “Speaking Soundly” podcast on Dec. 20. Rowe spoke about her experience as a performer, finding her personal sound and initiating a gender discrimination lawsuit against the orchestra while performing as principal flutist. “I had and… Continue reading Elizabeth Rowe featured on Artful Narratives’ “Speaking Soundly” podcast
Los Angeles Times spotlights USC Thornton Symphony in review of a weekend of Mahler’s Symphony No. 9 performances
On Jan. 19, Los Angeles Times music critic Mark Swed published a review of Mahler’s Symphony No. 9 performances conducted by esteemed USC Thornton alum and Judge Widney Professor of Music Michael Tilson Thomas (BM ‘67, MM ‘76) and artistic leader and USC Thornton Symphony’s principal conductor Carl St.Clair. On Tilson Thomas’ Jan. 8 performance… Continue reading Los Angeles Times spotlights USC Thornton Symphony in review of a weekend of Mahler’s Symphony No. 9 performances
Cody Westheimer premiered symphony celebrating Chumash heritage with Santa Barbara Symphony
USC Thornton composition program alum Cody Westheimer (BM ‘01) premiered a symphonic piece with the Santa Barbara Symphony at the Granada Theatre on Nov. 19. Westheimer’s “Wisdom of the Water, Earth, Sky” was led by artistic director Nir Kabaretti and performed by Chumash descendants Marianne Parra and Ernestine Ygnacio-DeSoto. Westheimer, a Santa Barbara local and… Continue reading Cody Westheimer premiered symphony celebrating Chumash heritage with Santa Barbara Symphony
Paul Cornish featured in American Pianists Association documentary series
USC Thornton jazz studies alumnus Paul Cornish (BM ‘18) was featured in the American Pianists Association’s short documentary series ‘A Day in the Life’ that follows the 2023 American Pianists Award finalists. The newest segment, released Oct. 18, follows Cornish in Los Angeles and how he prepares for gigs and competitions, beginning piano, performing with… Continue reading Paul Cornish featured in American Pianists Association documentary series
Otmaro Ruiz
Otmaro Ruiz is a jazz pianist with a diverse musical skill set, ranging from straight-ahead and pop-rock, to fusion, salsa and Afro-Cuban jazz. Of Venezuelan heritage, he worked intensively in the Venezuela jazz scene before moving to Los Angeles in 1989. He has since received an honorary doctorate in musical arts from Shepherd University, and… Continue reading Otmaro Ruiz