Alumni nominated for 2024 ASCAP Composers’ Choice Awards
On February 21, several USC Thornton alumni received nominations in the 2024 ASCAP Composers’ Choice Awards. Raashi Kulkarni (GCRT ’16, MM ’18) was nominated for Film Score of the Year with World’s Best. Katya Richardson (’19) was nominated for Documentary Score of the Year with The Last Repair Shop. Bear McCreary (’02), “God of War:… Continue reading Alumni nominated for 2024 ASCAP Composers’ Choice Awards
Ludwig Göransson wins 2024 BAFTA Award for “Oppenheimer” score
Ludwig Göransson (GCRT ’08) won a 2024 BAFTA Award in the Best Original Score category for his soundtrack to Oppenheimer, marking the composer’s first BAFTA Award. The awards ceremony was held on Feb. 18 at The Royal Festival Hall in London. Oppenheimer led with wins in seven categories.
Dean Jason King quoted by NPR
USC Thornton Dean Jason King was quoted in an NPR review of the 2024 Super Bowl halftime show, published on Feb. 9. King, an NPR contributor and music scholar, commented on the topic of Las Vegas residencies: “[Vegas Residencies] almost exist outside critical infrastructure,” he said. “These are blockbuster celebrities doing a blockbuster show for… Continue reading Dean Jason King quoted by NPR
Seoyon MacDonald’s recording of Prelude and Fugue selected for 2024 Berlin Lift-Off Film Festival
Seoyon MacDonald, a DMA student in the USC Thornton Keyboard Collaborative Arts program, will present her music video and short documentary of Dmitri Shostakovich’s Prelude and Fugue in C# minor at the 2024 Berlin Lift-Off Film Festival. The festival runs through March 11 via Vimeo OnDemand. Discovered in 2019, the Prelude and Fugue was composed… Continue reading Seoyon MacDonald’s recording of Prelude and Fugue selected for 2024 Berlin Lift-Off Film Festival
Jules Pegram joins 2024 International Music Festival of the Adriatic Sea
Jules Pegram (‘13), a USC Thornton Composition program alumnus, has joined the composition faculty for the 2024 International Music Festival of the Adriatic Sea (IMFA). Set in Duino, Italy, IMFA is a collaborative music-making program that provides masterclasses, workshops and recitals for musicians 18 and up. The program will be held on June 2-29. Pegram’s… Continue reading Jules Pegram joins 2024 International Music Festival of the Adriatic Sea
Diana Newman and Arnold Geis perform in New York Philharmonic’s U.S. premiere of Émigré
USC Thornton Vocal Arts & Opera alumni Diana Newman (‘12, MM ‘14) and Arnold Geis (MM ‘14) will be soloists in the New York Philharmonic’s U.S. premiere of Émigré, composed by Aaron Zigman. The performance takes place on Feb. 29–Mar. 1 at David Geffen Hall. Émigré is a musical drama of love and loss that… Continue reading Diana Newman and Arnold Geis perform in New York Philharmonic’s U.S. premiere of Émigré
Alumni win at 2024 Society of Composers and Lyricists Awards
USC Thornton alumni have won in several categories of the fifth annual Society of Composers and Lyricists Awards, which were held on February 13 at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. Ludwig Göransson (GCRT ’08) won Outstanding Original Score for a Studio Film with his score for Oppenheimer. Carlos Rafael Rivera (MM ‘04, DMA… Continue reading Alumni win at 2024 Society of Composers and Lyricists Awards
Jane Davidson quoted in L.A. Times
USC Thornton Music Industry program alumna and faculty member Jane Davidson (‘14) was quoted in a Los Angeles Times article profiling Ben Crumps, an attorney best known for his civil rights cases who has shifted to entertainment law. Having represented the families of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor in their wrongful-death lawsuits, Crumps is leading… Continue reading Jane Davidson quoted in L.A. Times
Remi Wolf collaborates with Norah Jones on Spotify single
USC Thornton Popular Music alumna Remi Wolf (‘18) collaborated with Norah Jones on her new Spotify single, a cover of Big Thief’s “Change,” which was released on January 31. Wolf recently joined Jones on her podcast, “Playing Along,” where the duo discussed their tour schedules and creative outlets, and duetted a selection of songs.
Vimbayi Kaziboni wins 2024 Ditson Fund Conductor’s Award
Celebrated conductor and USC Thornton alumnus Vimbayi Kaziboni (‘10) has won the 2024 Alice M. Ditson Fund Conductor’s Award. He earned $5,000 and a citation from Columbia University’s president, Minouche Shafik. Established in 1945, the Alice M. Ditson Fund is the oldest continuing award honoring conductors for distinguished contributions to American music. “This comes as… Continue reading Vimbayi Kaziboni wins 2024 Ditson Fund Conductor’s Award