Oliviana Marie awarded in 2022 Marvin Hamlisch International Music Awards
USC Thornton composition program student Oliviana Marie was both an award-winner and nominee at the Marvin Hamlisch International Music Awards. The announcement was made on Oct 18. Only 5 nominees are selected per division out of the top 25 submissions. Hamlisch was nominated in the emerging jazz composition category, and she won in the emerging… Continue reading Oliviana Marie awarded in 2022 Marvin Hamlisch International Music Awards
The Hollywood Reporter names USC Thornton one of the world’s best music schools
The Hollywood Reporter named the USC Thornton School of Music one of the best music schools in the world. The 2022 report was compiled by the notes of insiders in the film and television music community and polled members of Hollywood’s Society of Composers and Lyricists, the Composers Diversity Collective, the Alliance of Women Film… Continue reading The Hollywood Reporter names USC Thornton one of the world’s best music schools
King Princess performs NPR Tiny Desk Concert
On Nov. 2, USC Thornton non-degreed popular music program alumna Mikaela Straus (King Princess) performed a NPR Tiny Desk Concert. The indie pop singer performed three songs from her most recent album, “Hold On Baby”.
USC Thornton members involved in new publication, “The Cambridge Companion to Krautrock”
Multiple USC Thornton members are authors in the academic publication, “The Cambridge Companion to Krautrock.” The publication, released on Oct. 20, is an introduction and analysis of the Krautrock movement in German music of the 1960s and 1970s. Thornton Musicology faculty member Sean C. Nye and keyboard studies alum Michael Krikorian (DMA ’18), an assistant… Continue reading USC Thornton members involved in new publication, “The Cambridge Companion to Krautrock”
Ludwig Göransson co-writes lead single of “Black Panther” film sequel
“Lift Me Up,” recorded by singer Rihanna, is the lead single of Marvel’s “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” The track—written by USC Thornton screen scoring program alum Ludwig Göransson, artists Tems and Rihanna and the film’s director Ryan Coogler—is a tribute to the life and legacy of actor Chadwick Boseman. It releases in advance of the… Continue reading Ludwig Göransson co-writes lead single of “Black Panther” film sequel
Pardy Minassian finds lost songs in Shoah Foundation archive
USC Thornton Classical Guitar program graduate certificate alumna Pardy Minassian was featured on USC Shoah Foundation’s website for discovery of lost Armenian testimonies and songs from the Armenian Genocide. Last year, the Armenian guitarist was awarded a project grant from the Calouste Gyukbenkian Foundation for her multimedia series focused on unpublished Armenian folk songs that… Continue reading Pardy Minassian finds lost songs in Shoah Foundation archive
“Difficult Grace” by Seth Parker Woods named a Critic’s Pick by The New York Times
“Difficult Grace,” by USC Thornton strings department faculty member Seth Parker Woods, has been named a Critic’s Pick by The New York Times. An evening-long multimedia program at the 92nd Street Y’s Kaufmann Concert Hall, the performance featured Woods performing a series of works with the choreographer and dancer Roderick George. “Woods was already a cellist of… Continue reading “Difficult Grace” by Seth Parker Woods named a Critic’s Pick by The New York Times
Kyra Stahr to present at California All-State Music Education Conference
Thornton Department of Choral & Sacred Music master’s student Kyra Stahr (MM ‘23) has been selected to present in two sessions at the California All-State Music Education Conference February 15-19, 2023 in Fresno, California. The sessions are titled “Programming with Purpose: Repertoire to Support the Developing Secondary Choral Program” and “Bridging the Gap: Creating an… Continue reading Kyra Stahr to present at California All-State Music Education Conference
Chanda Dancy to compose score for upcoming film “Devotion”
USC Thornton Screen Scoring program alumna Chanda Dancy (GRCT ‘04) will compose the score for upcoming film “Devotion.” The film is based on a book of the same name by Adam Makos about the first black aviator pilot in the Navy during the Korean War. Dancy is an accomplished film and TV composer known for… Continue reading Chanda Dancy to compose score for upcoming film “Devotion”
Josh Nelson
Pianist and composer Josh Nelson has been an active and creative artist for over twenty years. With ten albums as a leader, numerous other recordings, accolades and accomplishments, Nelson is one of the most in-demand pianists around. Recent projects with Brazilian legend Ivan Lins and superstar Michael Bublé are evidence that his piano and arranging… Continue reading Josh Nelson