Author Archive


Photo of pop group Maggie Dave

Thornton Popular Music alumni earn international airplay for “Maggie Dave – Old You”

October 31, 2021

“Old You,” a single released by pop duo Maggie Dave featuring several Thornton Popular Music alums, aired on Netherlands’ NPO Radio 2 with DJ Giel Beelen. Alumni performing on the track include Tehillah Alphonso (‘20) arranging and performing backing vocals, John C. Schroeder (‘10) and Mallory Hauser (‘19) on guitar, and Ian Wurfl (‘16) on… Continue reading Thornton Popular Music alumni earn international airplay for “Maggie Dave – Old You”


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Thornton students take home top honors at international piano competitions

October 28, 2021

Rixiang Huang and Barry Tan, DMA candidates in the Keyboard Studies program, each recently took home top honors at international piano competitions.


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Jaco Wong releases choral work and premieres new commission

October 27, 2021

San Francisco-based composer Jaco Wong (MM ’16,) an alum of the Composition and Choral Music programs, recently released a sixteen-part choral work, “Psithaura,” with See-A-Dot Music Publishing.


REUNION with Bruce Forman

Thornton Studio Guitar faculty member Bruce Forman releases “REUNION!” album

October 25, 2021

USC Thornton Studio Guitar faculty member Bruce Forman recently released his newest project, REUNION!. For this album, Forman collaborated with renowned bassist John Clayton and jazz drummer Jeff Hamilton to pay tribute to each of their respective mentors: Barney Kessel, Ray Brown and Shelley Man, also known as The Poll Winners. Throughout the entirety of… Continue reading Thornton Studio Guitar faculty member Bruce Forman releases “REUNION!” album


Thornton faculty member Thomas Hooten premieres trumpet concerto with LA Phil

October 22, 2021

Thomas Hooten, faculty member in the USC Thornton Winds & Percussion program and principal trumpet with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, performed the world premiere of Steven Mackey’s trumpet concerto, “Shivaree: Fantasy for Trumpet and Orchestra.”


Photo of Baek Hwong (NoSo).

Baek Hwong (NoSo) debuts single on NPR

October 20, 2021

The latest single from Thornton Popular Music alum Baek Hwong (BM ‘19), known professionally as NoSo, was featured on NPR’s #NowPlaying series, a collection of today’s essential songs curated by NPR Music and NPR member stations. NPR describes “Suburbia” as “wax[ing] nostalgic on both the indignities and simple joys of growing up in the suburbs.”… Continue reading Baek Hwong (NoSo) debuts single on NPR


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Composer Nick Bentz commissioned by Wigmore Hall

October 18, 2021

Composition alum Nick Bentz (MM ’20) was commissioned by London chamber music venue Wigmore Hall to write new music for the Lockdown Commissions Scheme, the largest in the hall’s history.


Portrait of Antoinette Perry smiling

USC Thornton faculty, students and alumni featured at California Association of Professional Music Teachers State Conference

October 14, 2021

Antoinette Perry, a faculty member in the USC Thornton Keyboard Studies Program, was honored as the 2021 recipient of the California Association of Professional Music Teachers (CAPMT) Lifetime Achievement Award.


Composition faculty member Frank Ticheli premieres new work with Pacific Symphony and collaborates with New York Choral Society

October 12, 2021

Frank Ticheli premieres new work with Pacific Symphony and collaborates with New York Choral Society.


Las Vegas Philharmonic to premiere new piece by Juan Pablo Contreras

October 6, 2021

The Las Vegas Philharmonic will perform the world premiere of a new piece by USC Thornton Composition alum Juan Pablo Contreras.