Jensen McRae releases debut album “Are You Happy Now?”
USC Thornton Popular Music program alumna and singer-songwriter Jensen McRae (’19) released her debut album, Are You Happy Now?, on March 22 with Human Re Sources Records. The project features her widely acclaimed hit “Immune” and four other tracks from her EP Who Hurt You? McRae is currently on tour with Amos Lee, and she… Continue reading Jensen McRae releases debut album “Are You Happy Now?”
León F. García Corona
León F. García Corona is a music scholar whose work focuses on the intersections between music, race and social justice in Mexico and among its diasporic communities in the United States. His scholarship has been published by Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press, Latin American Music Review, American Music, the Canadian Journal of Latin American… Continue reading León F. García Corona
Kevin Fitz-Gerald and Sharon Lavery perform with the Downey Symphony Orchestra
On May 7 at 8 p.m., Thornton Keyboard Studies Department Professor Kevin Fitz-Gerald performed as a soloist with the Downey Symphony Orchestra in “Third Time’s A Charm,” an evening of music featuring Mozart’s overture to Don Giovanni and Beethoven’s Concerto for Violin, Cello and Piano in C Major, Op. 56. The symphony, which features many… Continue reading Kevin Fitz-Gerald and Sharon Lavery perform with the Downey Symphony Orchestra
Thornton Jazz Studies Department students named winners at DownBeat’s 45th Annual Student Music Awards
Several USC Thornton Jazz Studies Department students won awards in DownBeat’s 45th annual Student Music Awards. These awards will be published in the June edition of DownBeat Magazine. The Michael Neufeld Quintet, led by USC Thornton faculty member Michael Stever, won in the category of asynchronous small jazz combo for undergraduate college outstanding performance. Trombonist,… Continue reading Thornton Jazz Studies Department students named winners at DownBeat’s 45th Annual Student Music Awards
Giovanni Santos (MM ’07) has new work premiered by Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble
This month, the Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble will premiere Thornton alum Giovanni Santos’ (MM ‘07) new saxophone concerto, “I Dream Awake,” with soloist and fellow alumnus Andrew Harrison. Santos currently serves as the director of wind and percussion studies at La Sierra University, where he directs the University Wind Ensemble, Chamber Winds and Big… Continue reading Giovanni Santos (MM ’07) has new work premiered by Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble
Gabriel Martins joins Opus 3 Artists roster
USC Thornton Strings Department alum Gabriel Martins (’19) has signed to independent artist management firm Opus 3 Artists. Martins is an acclaimed cellist who has been recognized for his artistry in many competitions including the 2020 Sphinx Competition, the David Popper International Cello Competition and the International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians. Earlier this year,… Continue reading Gabriel Martins joins Opus 3 Artists roster
Juan Pablo Contreras premieres “MeChicano” with the Las Vegas Philharmonic
Alumnus Juan Pablo Contreras (DMA ’21) premieres MeChicano, a piece honoring Mexican-American communities, with the Las Vegas Philharmonic on May 7. Contreras is one of the seven composers selected by New Music USA’s Amplifying Voices, a program supporting composers of underrepresented backgrounds. His work was co-commisisioned by the Las Vegas Philharmonic, the California Symphony, the… Continue reading Juan Pablo Contreras premieres “MeChicano” with the Las Vegas Philharmonic
Jeanine Cowen
Jeanine Cowen is an active media composer and educator. She has previously served as a professor in the game and interactive media scoring area at Berklee College of Music. She is an active freelance composer, music producer and sound designer focusing primarily on the intersection of audio and visual medias, with particular interest in the… Continue reading Jeanine Cowen
Lindsay Wolfington wins at 2022 Guild of Music Supervisors Awards
USC Thornton Music Industry program faculty member Lindsay Wolfington and fellow music supervisor Laura Webb won the award for Best Music Supervision – Television Movie at the 2022 Guild of Music Supervisors Awards for their work on To All the Boys: Always and Forever. This is the second year in a row that the duo… Continue reading Lindsay Wolfington wins at 2022 Guild of Music Supervisors Awards
Paul Anka speaks to students at USC Thornton’s Popular Music Forum
Legendary songwriter Paul Anka spoke to students at USC Thornton’s Popular Music Forum on April 22 during a Master Session put on by USC Thornton and the Songwriters Hall of Fame (SHOF). Popular Music Program Chair and SHOF board member Patrice Rushen moderated the conversation. During the session, Anka discussed how he got started in… Continue reading Paul Anka speaks to students at USC Thornton’s Popular Music Forum