Billboard names USC Thornton one of the top music business schools
Billboard Magazine named the USC Thornton School of Music one of the top music business schools in the U.S. The 2022 report on top music business colleges and universities is based on industry recommendations, alumni information and affordability. Billboard reports the list is the most geographically diverse list to date.
Juan Pablo Contreras receives Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Music
USC Thornton composition program faculty member Juan Pablo Contreras (DMA ‘21) received the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Music for his work as a composer of Mexican orchestral music, and his leadership as founder and conductor of the Orquesta Latino Mexicana. The Vilcek Foundation Prizes recognize and celebrate immigrant contributions to the arts, culture… Continue reading Juan Pablo Contreras receives Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Music
Austin Wintory co-composed score for Netflix series “Thai Cave Rescue”
USC Thornton Composition program alum Austin Wintory (BM ‘07) has co-composed the recently released Netflix series “Thai Cave Rescue” with orchestrator and composer Susie Seiter. The Netflix limited series, released on Sept. 22., tells a heart-pounding story of the rescue of a boys soccer team from the Tham Luang cave in northern Thailand. In the… Continue reading Austin Wintory co-composed score for Netflix series “Thai Cave Rescue”
Patrick O’Malley premieres concerto with Ft. Wayne Philharmonic
USC Thornton Composition program alumnus Patrick O’Malley (MM ’15, DMA ’19) will premiere a concerto piece at the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Embassy Theater in Ft. Wayne, IN at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 29. O’Malley’s “Viola Concerto” will be conducted by Andrew Constantine and performed by violist Brett Deubner. The Ft. Wayne Philharmonic commissioned the piece… Continue reading Patrick O’Malley premieres concerto with Ft. Wayne Philharmonic
Reyna Gordon leads scientific study of genetic link to musicality traits
USC Thornton Vocal Arts department alumna Reyna Gordon (BM ‘01) has led the first large-scale study that discovered how the ability to move in synchrony with the beat of music is coded in human genomes. Assembled by an international multidisciplinary team of experts and in collaboration with personal genetics company 23andMe, the study assessed beat… Continue reading Reyna Gordon leads scientific study of genetic link to musicality traits
Richard Smith releases new single co-written with alumnus Adam Hawley
USC Thornton Studio Guitar and Popular Music professor Richard Smith has released a new single called “Groove Assets” on Sept. 1. According to The Urban Music Scene, the single was produced and co-written by USC Thornton alumnus Adam Hawley (BA ‘06, MA ‘08, DMA ‘10). “Groove Assets” is their third collaboration together. “There is no… Continue reading Richard Smith releases new single co-written with alumnus Adam Hawley
Ambrose Akinmusire to receive Jazz Innovator Award
Trumpeter, composer and USC Thornton Jazz Studies Department alumnus Ambrose Akinmusire (MM ’07) will receive the Jazz Innovator Award at the inaugural Jazz Music Awards on October 22. The Jazz Music Awards recognize and celebrate individuals who have made, and continue to make, a lasting contribution to jazz music.
Cameron Akioka wins silver medal at the Seattle International Piano Competition
USC Thornton Keyboard Studies graduate student Cameron Akioka won the silver medal, the James Miles Memorial Presidential Prize and attendee-vote Audience Favorite Award at the Seattle International Piano Competition. The announcement was made on Oct. 9. 43 pianists from North America, Europe and Asia submitted entries for the Collegiate Artists category. Akioka, who studies with… Continue reading Cameron Akioka wins silver medal at the Seattle International Piano Competition
Bear McCreary composes score for “Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power”
USC Thornton Composition program alumnus Bear McCreary (BM ‘02) composed the score for Amazon Prime Video series “Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.” In an interview about the score, McCreary said: “I was really excited at the possibility of exploring familiar sounds that we associate with the Peter Jackson films and Howard Shore’s… Continue reading Bear McCreary composes score for “Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power”
Kelly Sulick releases new album
USC Thornton Winds & Percussion alumna Kelly Sulick (MM ‘06) recently released an album of 20th- and 21st-century American works for flute and piano titled “Duo.” The album, recorded with pianist John Mayhood and released by Centaur Records, features works by Aaron Copland, John Harbison, Jennifer Higdon and Halsey Stevens, and it also includes the… Continue reading Kelly Sulick releases new album