Alexander Lloyd Blake named Copland House Residency Award Recipient
USC Thornton choral & sacred music alumnus Alexander Lloyd Blake (DMA ‘19) received one of six residency awards at the 2022 Copland House Residency Awards. The announcement was made on Oct. 23. The Copland House Residency is a charter program of Aaron Copland’s National Historic Landmark home. 180 composers applied from 33 states, the District… Continue reading Alexander Lloyd Blake named Copland House Residency Award Recipient
Ron McCurdy inducted into University of Kansas Hall of Achievement
USC Thornton assistant dean of diversity, equity and inclusion and professor of jazz studies Ron McCurdy was inducted into the University of Kansas Nicholas Gerran, Sr. Hall of Achievement on Oct. 29. As part of the 50th anniversary of KU’s jazz program that featured performances by students and alumni, McCurdy was one of the four… Continue reading Ron McCurdy inducted into University of Kansas Hall of Achievement
Fall 2022 Semester in Review
Looking back on an amazing fall 2022 semester at USC Thornton.
George Shaw composed Dreamworks’ “Abominable and the Invisible City”
USC Thornton composition program alumnus George Shaw (BM ‘04) composed the score for DreamWorks animated series Abominable and the Invisible City, the follow-up from the 2019 feature film. The score of the animated series, which was released on Oct. 5, incorporates Chinese culture with solo violin, clarinet and saxophone instrumentals. “In order to bring Chinese… Continue reading George Shaw composed Dreamworks’ “Abominable and the Invisible City”
LACO premieres new commission by Juan Pablo Contreras
The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) will present the world premiere of a work by Latin GRAMMY-nominated composer and USC Thornton alumnus Juan Pablo Contreras (DMA ‘21). “Lucha Libre!” will be performed on December 11 at 8 p.m. at Ambassador Auditorium in Pasadena. “Lucha Libre!” is a LACO sound Investment commission that pays tribute to… Continue reading LACO premieres new commission by Juan Pablo Contreras
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