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 award-winning concert conductor, producer and session conductor who has appeared internationally in over 22 countries, thrilling audiences with concerts, opera productions and live-to-film video game shows. Known for her expressive technique and deep musicality, she is the recipient of a 2021 Grammy in Best Classical Compendium, a BMI Impact Award, and… 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”
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 is the Dean of the USC Thornton School of Music in Los Angeles. He has been described as one of the most innovative figures at the intersection of music, education, media and cultural curation. A polymath with wide-ranging expertise over the past 25 years—as a scholar, journalist, producer, author, performer, filmmaker and curator—King… 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”