Gretchen Parlato joins the SFJAZZ Collective
GRAMMY-nominated vocalist and USC Thornton alum Gretchen Parlato (GCRT ‘03) recently joined the SFJAZZ Collective, an eight-person jazz ensemble and democratic composer’s workshop. She made her debut with the group, along with two other new members, at the SFJAZZ Center in late October. Parlato is the sole soloist amongst a band of instrumentalists, a situation… Continue reading Gretchen Parlato joins the SFJAZZ Collective
Lenny Hayes performs virtual concert as part of Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration
Classical pianist and keyboard studies doctoral student Lenny Hayes will give a livestreamed performance Saturday, Jan. 15 at 2 p.m. as part of the Santa Monica Symphony’s Virtual Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Concert. The event also features a question-and-answer session with Hayes and Darlene Evans, chair of The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.… Continue reading Lenny Hayes performs virtual concert as part of Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration
Matthew Mason premieres piano concerto with Glacier Symphony Orchestra
Piano performance alum and composer Matthew Mason (MM ‘02) will premiere a piano concerto, “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini,” with the Glacier Symphony Orchestra on February 19 and 20. Pianist and fellow Thornton alum Roger Wright will perform as soloist. The 22-minute piano concerto is a unique take on Sergei Rachmaninoff’s composition of the… Continue reading Matthew Mason premieres piano concerto with Glacier Symphony Orchestra
January 8: Spring 2022 Restart Update
Dear Thornton Students: Happy New Year to each of you. I hope your holidays were filled with joy and time with loved ones. I look forward to welcoming you all back to campus sometime soon. The start of the new year coincides with a challenging phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, and I write to you with… Continue reading January 8: Spring 2022 Restart Update
Michael Abels featured in Billboard about diversifying the film scoring industry
Michael Abels (BM ‘84), an award-winning composer and USC Thornton alumnus, was featured alongside Bridgerton composer Kris Bowers in a Billboard story about composers helping to diversify the film scoring industry. Abels spoke about how he started working with Get Out director Jordan Peele and how that opportunity led him to co-found the Composers Diversity… Continue reading Michael Abels featured in Billboard about diversifying the film scoring industry
Rohan Chander nominated for a Gaudeamus Award
Thornton DMA student in composition Rohan Chander has been nominated for a 2022 Gaudeamus Award. This award is one of the most prestigious for composers, and it often produces international recognition for its winners. The five nominees were selected by a jury that consisted of Irish composer Ann Cleare; Chinese composer, pianist and vocalist Huang… Continue reading Rohan Chander nominated for a Gaudeamus Award
Jenny Wong conducts a composition by Nina Shekhar with the LA Phil New Music Group
USC Thornton composition alum Nina Shekhar’s (MM ’20) work “Dear Abby” will be performed at Walt Disney Concert Hall Jan. 11 as part of a program highlighting women’s voices and storytelling. Thornton Choral & Sacred Music Department alum Jenny Wong (MM ‘13, DMA ’17) conducts the piece, which examines the impact of enforcing narrow gender… Continue reading Jenny Wong conducts a composition by Nina Shekhar with the LA Phil New Music Group
Doug Petty
Doug Petty is a pianist, arranger and composer living in Los Angeles. A top call session player, he has recorded and performed with many of today’s biggest artists including Rihanna, Celine Dion, Britney Spears, Enrique Iglesias, Tears for Fears, Roseanne Cash, Rufus Wainwright, Shawn Colvin, Westlife and the Backstreet Boys to name just a few.… Continue reading Doug Petty
Thornton students and alumnus accepted into Toronto Mendelssohn Choir’s Choral Conductors’ Symposium
Marcus Desir and Ann Chen, USC Thornton master’s students in choral & sacred music, and Sarah Maria Leung (’15), a Thornton choral & sacred music alumnus, were recently accepted into the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir’s Choral Conductors’ Symposium. Each year, the program selects five emerging conductors to come to Toronto to study with Jean-Sébastien Vallée, the… Continue reading Thornton students and alumnus accepted into Toronto Mendelssohn Choir’s Choral Conductors’ Symposium
Thornton musicians bring holiday cheer to concerts across L.A. area
Thornton faculty, alumni and students are bringing the holiday cheer to Los Angeles County this month and next through a multitude of holiday concerts. The USC Thornton Department of Choral and Sacred Music presents its annual Winter Gala, a special livestreamed event, Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. The New Hollywood String Quartet, featuring Thornton Strings… Continue reading Thornton musicians bring holiday cheer to concerts across L.A. area