Bruce Forman featured on cover of Jazz Guitar Today
Guitarist Bruce Forman, a faculty member in the Thornton Studio Guitar program, was the focus of a cover story in the latest issue of Jazz Guitar Today. In the feature, Forman speaks about his new album, Reunion!, the way that storytelling influences his music and how he developed the skill to hold a conversation and… Continue reading Bruce Forman featured on cover of Jazz Guitar Today
Peter Erskine and Vince Mendoza honored at 2021 Jazz Tribute Awards Concert
USC Thornton Jazz Studies Department faculty members Peter Erskine and Vince Mendoza will be honored at the Los Angeles Jazz Society’s 2021 Jazz Tribute Awards Concert on December 4 at The Montalban Theatre in Hollywood. Erskine will be recognized as the Tribute Honoree and Mendoza will receive the Composer/Arranger Award. This annual concert celebrates jazz… Continue reading Peter Erskine and Vince Mendoza honored at 2021 Jazz Tribute Awards Concert
Juhi Bansal commissioned by the Oregon Mozart Players
Composition alum Juhi Bansal (BM ‘06, MM ‘08, DMA ‘12) has been commissioned by the Oregon Mozart Players to compose an orchestral work to be premiered in spring 2022. The piece is inspired by the whale songs Bansal heard when she went diving with humpback whales. Bansal is leading a series of salons over the… Continue reading Juhi Bansal commissioned by the Oregon Mozart Players
USC Thornton ranked among top 20 music schools for composing for film and TV by The Hollywood Reporter
This month, the USC Thornton School of Music topped the list of the 20 best music schools for composing for film and TV by The Hollywood Reporter. The rankings noted Thornton’s commitment to inclusivity — women comprise 50% of students currently enrolled in the screen scoring program, making it one of the most gender-diverse programs… Continue reading USC Thornton ranked among top 20 music schools for composing for film and TV by The Hollywood Reporter
Erika Poh scores string arrangment for K-pop singer CL
Sophomore Thornton composition student Erika Poh scored a string arrangement for K-Pop singer CL’s song “Siren,” which is featured on her newest album, Alpha. Poh co-arranged the piece with Josh Wei at Snakewood Studios in Singapore, and the score was performed by a quartet of Singapore Symphony Orchestra players. Alpha was released on October 20… Continue reading Erika Poh scores string arrangment for K-pop singer CL
Neil Stipp’s “Symphony Capriccio” premiered in Moldova
Earlier this year, Thornton alum Neil Stipp (MM ‘78) had his “Symphony Capriccio” premiered in the capital city of Moldova by the Symphonic Orchestra of the National Philharmonic. A recording of the premiere concert can be found here and is also available on Phasama Music’s “Chisinau 1 — New Music for Orchestra.” Stipp is a… Continue reading Neil Stipp’s “Symphony Capriccio” premiered in Moldova
Michael Cartwright gives TEDx Talk on the art of the frontman
Trumpeter, vocalist and Thornton alum Michael Cartwright (’07) recently gave a TEDx Talk in Bismarck about the art of the frontman. In his talk, he discussed the three responsibilities that must be maintained by anyone who desires to become an effective frontman. “You have the charisma. Hold responsibility to yourself — master your craft. Hold… Continue reading Michael Cartwright gives TEDx Talk on the art of the frontman
Alondra Santos featured in Daily Trojan
Alondra Santos, a sophomore in the USC Thornton Vocal Arts program, was recently featured in a Daily Trojan article discussing her background as a mariachi performer and its influence on her artistry as a singer-songwriter. The piece also explores the close student-mentor relationship that Santos has established with vocals arts & opera faculty member Elizabeth… Continue reading Alondra Santos featured in Daily Trojan
Jongnic Bontemps nominated for Critics Choice Documentary Award
Screen Scoring alum Jongnic Bontemps (GCRT ’12) has been nominated for Best Score at the 2021 Critics Choice Association’s Documentary Awards for his work on Amazon Studios’ My Name is Pauli Murray. The winners will be announced at a gala on November 14 in Brooklyn. Bontemps is a critically-acclaimed film composer known for fusing a… Continue reading Jongnic Bontemps nominated for Critics Choice Documentary Award
Paul Hodgins recognized for coining term ‘choreomusical’ in The Journal of Music Theory
USC Thornton faculty member Paul Hodgins was credited for coining the term “choreomusical” in a recent issue of the Journal of Music Theory. He first used the term in his 1992 doctoral dissertation, which discussed and analyzed the relationship between choreography and music. “Hodgins coined the term choreomusical, which has since been modified by others… Continue reading Paul Hodgins recognized for coining term ‘choreomusical’ in The Journal of Music Theory