Derrick Lawrence
Derrick Lawrence, baritone, has sung roles on the stages of Philadelphia Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Dallas Opera, Charlotte Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Piedmont Opera, Opera North, Zurich Opera House, Budapest, Wiesbaden, Düsseldorf, The Royal Danish Opera, Stuttgart, Luzern, Aachen, Freiburg, Statts Opera Berlin, Kaiserslautern, La Monnaie, Teatro Massimo, Opera Lyon and National Theater Brünn. Lawrence… Continue reading Derrick Lawrence
Emily Sung
Emily Sung is a Chinese American conductor, scholar and teacher from Lawrenceville, New Jersey. Before her appointment at the USC Thornton School of Music, Sung previously served as the associate director of Choral Activities at Princeton University, the director of the Chamber Choir and Choral Society at the University of Pennsylvania, and a member of… Continue reading Emily Sung
USC Thornton Trumpet Quintet wins National Trumpet Competition
The USC Thornton Trumpet Quintet—comprised of Tali Duckworth, Imani Duhe, Jessica Farmer, Ben Gunnarson and Amy Millesen—won the ensemble division of the National Trumpet Competition on March 27. They were among three finalists after moving past 40 trumpet ensembles in the first round of the competition. The winners are students of Thornton Winds & Percussion… Continue reading USC Thornton Trumpet Quintet wins National Trumpet Competition
Jacobo Herrera and Jacob Vogel promote the marching arts in USC News
USC Thornton music industry student Jacobo Herrera and USC Trojan Marching Band director Jacob Vogel were featured in USC News to promote March Fourth, a day dedicated to celebrating the marching arts. Herrera, drum major and student general manager, reflected on professional experiences he’s gained while being in marching band, from starring on national television… Continue reading Jacobo Herrera and Jacob Vogel promote the marching arts in USC News
Composition alumni nominated for 2023 ASCAP Composers’ Choice Awards
USC Thornton composition program alumni Michael Abels (‘84) and Bear McCreary (‘02) have been nominated for the 2023 ASCAP Composers’ Choice Awards. Abels was nominated for Film Score of the Year with Nope. McCreary was nominated for Television Score of the Year with season one of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power… Continue reading Composition alumni nominated for 2023 ASCAP Composers’ Choice Awards
NoSo receives multiple Libera Award nominations
NoSo—USC Thornton popular music program alum Baek Hwong (BM ‘19)—was named a final nominee in the A2IM Libera Awards for Video of the Year with their track “Parasites” from the 2022 album “Stay Proud of Me.” Their album received a separate nomination in the Best Pop Record category. The Libera Awards were first established in… Continue reading NoSo receives multiple Libera Award nominations
Lyndia Johnson named honoree of USC Faculty and Staff Recognition Program by University Club
USC Thornton popular music program faculty member Lyndia Johnson has been selected as an honoree of the Amy King Dundon-Berchtold University Club of USC Faculty and Staff Recognition Program. She was recognized for her exemplary service at an awards reception on March 21 at the University Club Patio.
Cameron Akioka wins first place at 50th Annual Edith Knox Performance Competition
USC Thornton Keyboard Studies graduate student Cameron Akioka won first place at the 50th Annual Edith Knox Performance Competition playing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major. As first place winner, Akioka will perform Beethoven’s Fourth Piano Concerto as soloist with the Peninsula Symphony Orchestra on June 25, 2023.
In Memoriam: Royce Saltzman
Royce Saltzman, USC Thornton Choral & Sacred Music department alum (DMA ‘64), died on Monday, April 3. He was 94. Saltzman was known for his collaboration with legendary conductor Helmuth Rilling and their co-founding of the annual Oregon Bach Festival, one of the world’s premiere events for the music of J. S. Bach. He had… Continue reading In Memoriam: Royce Saltzman
Nic Gerpe released studio album for “The Makrokosmos 50 Project”
USC Thornton alumnus Nic Gerpe (DMA ’12) released a studio album for “The Makrokosmos 50 Project” on March 15, now available on all digital streaming platforms. Gerpe commissioned 11 composers to collaborate with him in creating musical responses to individual movements of George Crumb’s Makrokosmos, Volume I. He recorded the final pieces as a studio… Continue reading Nic Gerpe released studio album for “The Makrokosmos 50 Project”