• Admission
  • Student Life
  • Author Archive


    Photo of saxophonist Bob Reynolds performing on stage at an indoor music venue.

    Bob Reynolds

    September 9, 2024

    “My favorite improvisers, regardless of genre, share a talent for spontaneously composing melodies with strong narrative arcs.” says Los Angeles-based saxophonist, composer, and educator Bob Reynolds. “That’s the ideal that’s always inspired my pursuit of this craft.” A three-time Grammy winner with the innovative instrumental collective Snarky Puppy, Reynolds has carved out a unique space… Continue reading Bob Reynolds


    Photo of singer Tehillah Alphonso

    Tehillah Alphonso

    August 28, 2024

    New Jersey-born and Nebraska-raised, Tehillah Alphonso is a Nigerian American vocalist, pianist, music director and Grammy-nominated arranger based in Los Angeles, California. A proud summa cum laude graduate of the University of Southern California, she received her B.M. in Popular Music Performance from the Thornton School of Music and was named 2020 Outstanding Graduate, becoming… Continue reading Tehillah Alphonso


    Photo of saxophonist Alex Hahn wearing a red jacket and holding a saxophone outdoors in a city environment.

    Alex Hahn

    August 27, 2024

    Alex Hahn is a Grammy Award-winning saxophonist and composer based in Los Angeles, California. Still early in his career, Hahn has had the opportunity to perform with many renowned artists such as Herbie Hancock, Esperanza Spalding, the Grammy Award-winning John Daversa Progressive Big Band, Bob Mintzer, Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, Peter Erskine, John Beasley,… Continue reading Alex Hahn


    Photo of Sal Lozano holding a saxophone and smiling.

    Sal Lozano

    August 19, 2024

    Sal Lozano stands out as a leading saxophonist and educator. As a professor of saxophone at the USC Thornton School of Music, Lozano combines a distinguished performance career with a deep commitment to teaching. Lozano’s extensive performance experience includes collaborations with prestigious ensembles such as the Los Angeles Opera, Pacific Symphony and Santa Barbara Symphony.… Continue reading Sal Lozano


    Thornton faculty and alumni record 25th anniversary album for Chandra X-ray Observatory

    July 17, 2024

    USC Thornton faculty and alumni participated in a recording at Sony Pictures for the upcoming album Chandra-X: Into Darkness, a musical celebration marking 25 years of space exploration and research through the lens of the Chandra X-ray Observatory. Produced by Thornton faculty member Christian Amonson, the project will feature a 95-piece orchestra featuring faculty members… Continue reading Thornton faculty and alumni record 25th anniversary album for Chandra X-ray Observatory


    Photo of Nina Shekhar standing outside in sunlight.

    New York Philharmonic performs Nina Shekhar’s “Lumina” in China

    July 3, 2024

    On June 28, the New York Philharmonic performed composer Nina Shekhar‘s (MM ’20) “Lumina” at the Guangzhou Opera House in China. Her piece was featured alongside works by Mahler and Brahms. The concert was conducted by music director of the New York Philharmonic, Jaap van Zweden. *** Photo by Shervin Lainez


    Logo for USC Thornton School of Music.

    Patrice Rushen honored at 2024 Black Music Honors

    June 26, 2024

    USC Thornton Popular Music program faculty member Patrice Rushen was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the ninth annual Black Music Honors. The ceremony, which recognizes artists who have contributed to African-American culture and American music, took place on May 18 in Atlanta, Georgia. “We are extremely proud to bring more visibility to these… Continue reading Patrice Rushen honored at 2024 Black Music Honors


    Jensen McRae surrounded by vines looking into the camera.

    Jensen McRae releases new single “Massachusetts”

    June 24, 2024

    Singer-songwriter and USC Thornton Popular Music alumna Jensen McRae (’19) released her first single of the year, “Massachusetts,” which was featured in KCRW‘s Best New Music section. She shared on X that the song is about “all the pieces of a person that get left behind after they leave.” McRae released her debut album, Are… Continue reading Jensen McRae releases new single “Massachusetts”


    Bobby Borg wearing a black leather cap with white sunglasses and smiling at the camera.

    Bobby Borg publishes new book on music marketing

    June 19, 2024

    Bobby Borg, a faculty member in the USC Thornton Music Industry program, published a new book titled Music Marketing for the DIY Musician. In this third edition, Borg provides a step-by-step guide for musicians to create a low-budget, customized marketing plan that will prepare them for success in the music industry. The book includes marketing… Continue reading Bobby Borg publishes new book on music marketing


    Michael Abels composes score for “Star Wars: The Acolyte”

    June 17, 2024

    Award-winning composer and USC Thornton alumnus Michael Abels (‘84) scored the newest series in the Star Wars universe, The Acolyte, which premiered on Disney+ on June 4. The score blends the traditional music of Star Wars with edgy and percussive sounds unique to this new story created by Leslye Headland. “We decided pretty quickly we… Continue reading Michael Abels composes score for “Star Wars: The Acolyte”