Daniel Strychacz named assistant professor at Muskingum University
USC Thornton Department of Choral & Sacred Music alumnus Daniel Strychacz (MM ’15, DMA ’21) has been named an assistant professor of choral music at Muskingum University, a private liberal arts college in New Concord, Ohio.
Steven Vanhauwaert joins faculty at University of Utah School of Music
Pianist Steven Vanhauwaert (MM ’06, GCRT ’08), an alumnus of the USC Thornton Keyboard Studies program, was named an assistant professor of piano/collaborative piano at the University of Utah’s School of Music. He will begin his new position in the fall 2022 semester.
Peter Erskine named to the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame
Thornton Jazz Studies faculty member and GRAMMY Award-winning drummer Peter Erskine was named to the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame this year. The Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame was established in 1972 to recognize the contributions of the most highly regarded leaders in percussion performance, education, research, scholarship, administration, composition and the industry.
Ron McCurdy appointed to the Association of European Conservatories’ Diversity, Inclusion and Gender Equality Working Group
Ron McCurdy, assistant dean of Thornton’s justice, equity, diversity and inclusion committee and a professor in the jazz studies department, has been appointed to the Association of European Conservatories’ Diversity, Inclusion and Gender Equality Working Group.
Taeguk Mun named laureate of the 2022 Queen Elisabeth Competition
Cellist, current graduate certificate student and alumnus Taeguk Mun (MM ’20) was named a finalist, or laureate, at this year’s Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels. Mun has won first prize at various competitions, including the Pablo Casals competition in 2014, the Andre Navarra International Cello Competition and the National Sung-Jung Competition in Korea. He is… Continue reading Taeguk Mun named laureate of the 2022 Queen Elisabeth Competition
Roger Neill premieres new musical comedy with Westwind Orchard
On June 4, Westwind Orchard will host the premiere of the musical comedy Da Ponte by Roger Neill (’86), an alumnus of USC Thornton’s Composition program, and Niel Cohen. The comedy explores the life of famous librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte, his partnership with Mozart and how he came to run a grocery store in New… Continue reading Roger Neill premieres new musical comedy with Westwind Orchard
Grant Gershon’s 20th season with the LA Master Chorale celebrated by the LA Times
USC Thornton alumnus Grant Gershon (’85) recently celebrated his 20th season as the artistic director of the Los Angeles Master Chorale. The Los Angeles Times recognized this milestone with a story that explored how Gershon has transformed the LA Master Chorale into one of the country’s most adventurous and boundary-pushing choirs. Associate artistic director and… Continue reading Grant Gershon’s 20th season with the LA Master Chorale celebrated by the LA Times
Phoebe Rosquist leads performances at Berkeley Early Music Festival and Burning Man
USC Thornton Department of Choral & Sacred Music alum Phoebe Rosquist will be conducting several performances of Thomas Tallis’ Spem in alium, a 40-voice Renaissance motet for a capella choirs, at the 17th biennial Berkeley Festival and Exhibition on June 10-11. She will also be facilitating kecak, a chant and dance from Bali, at Burning… Continue reading Phoebe Rosquist leads performances at Berkeley Early Music Festival and Burning Man
Branden Brown premieres film score at Palm Springs International ShortFest
Thornton Jazz Studies Department alumnus Branden Brown (’21) will premiere his first original film score for What I Had to Leave Behind at the Academy Award and BAFTA-qualifying 28th Palm Springs International ShortFest in June. Brown’s score features instrumentalists and fellow Thornton alumni Ethan Chilton (’20, M.M. ’22), Cyrus Elia (’20) and Lauren Ellis (’21),… Continue reading Branden Brown premieres film score at Palm Springs International ShortFest
Bear McCreary wins at 2022 ASCAP Screen Music Awards
Composer and USC Thornton alumnus Bear McCreary (’02) was one of the winners in the Most Performed Themes & Underscore category at the 2022 ASCAP Screen Music Awards. He won the award for his score for the Apple TV+ series Foundation. McCreary is an accomplished film and video game composer who has scored many projects… Continue reading Bear McCreary wins at 2022 ASCAP Screen Music Awards