Austin Wintory conducts 2024 Game Developers Conference performance in San Francisco
USC Thornton Composition program alumnus Austin Wintory (‘07) conducted a live instrumental performance at the 2024 Game Developers Conference on March 20 in San Francisco. Co-hosted by voice actor Troy Baker, the performance showcased influential and award-winning game scores throughout history, with a focus on this last year. The concert was presented in accompaniment with… Continue reading Austin Wintory conducts 2024 Game Developers Conference performance in San Francisco
Michael Mennell
Michael Mennell is a Southern California-based bassist and vocalist. He has maintained a 22-plus year teaching career in Los Angeles, and he continues to mentor young players and singers while maintaining a full schedule of recording sessions, live engagements, and tours. Mennell has recorded with artists including John Fogerty, Billy F. Gibbons, Keith Urban, Joe… Continue reading Michael Mennell
Jane Davidson offers legal insight into “Hotel California” trial
Jane Davidson (‘14), a USC Thornton Music Industry program alumna and faculty member, was featured in a KCAL 9 News segment about The Eagles’ “Hotel California” lyrics trial. Ownership over the song’s lyrics has been in question for several years. In February, three men were charged with conspiring to own and sell manuscripts of “Hotel… Continue reading Jane Davidson offers legal insight into “Hotel California” trial
Noreen Green conducts “Symphony of the Holocaust” at Palm Springs Jewish Film Festival
Noreen Green (DMA ‘91), a USC Thornton Choral & Sacred Music alumna, conducted the premiere of a chamber version of Shony Alex Braun’s “Symphony of the Holocaust” at the Palm Springs Jewish Film Festival on March 11. The documentary of the same name honors the musical career of Braun, a child violin prodigy and Holocaust… Continue reading Noreen Green conducts “Symphony of the Holocaust” at Palm Springs Jewish Film Festival
Thomas Goedecke joins University of Hawai’i Maui College music faculty
USC Thornton Composition program alumnus Thomas Goedecke (‘13) has joined the University of Hawai’i Maui College as a faculty member in their Institute of Hawaiian Music. Goedecke will work with the Institute’s founder, Keola Donoghy, to teach and recruit students for the Hawaiian Music and General Music certificate programs. At Thornton, Goedecke studied with Veronika… Continue reading Thomas Goedecke joins University of Hawai’i Maui College music faculty
Faculty and alumni perform on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert
USC Thornton faculty and alumni performed on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert in February. On Feb. 19, Composition program faculty member Camae Ayewa (Moor Mother) performed a Tiny Desk Concert with the free-jazz group, Irreversible Entanglements. She sang six tracks, including songs from the band’s new album, Protect Your Light. Watch the performance here. Jazz Studies… Continue reading Faculty and alumni perform on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert
Kaitlin Miller named 2023-2025 Concert Artist of American Harp Society
Kaitlin Miller, a master’s student in the USC Thornton Strings department, was named the American Harp Society’s (AHS) 2023-2025 Concert Artist. As AHS Concert Artist, she will give performances, classes and/or workshops that benefit local harp communities. In February, she performed recitals and taught masterclasses in Atlanta, Minneapolis, Chicago and Denver, with more travels on… Continue reading Kaitlin Miller named 2023-2025 Concert Artist of American Harp Society
PopCon brings first-ever Los Angeles conference to USC
PopCon, the annual music writing and popular music studies conference, came to USC and Los Angeles for the first time on March 7-9. This year’s theme focused on music collections and archives. The conference featured over 30 events—including keynote sessions with funk legend George Clinton, filmmaker dream hampton and journalist Danyel Smith. USC Thornton Dean… Continue reading PopCon brings first-ever Los Angeles conference to USC
USC Thornton celebrates 2024 Oscar winners
USC Thornton composers were celebrated at the 96th Academy Awards, held on Sunday, March 10 at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. Ludwig Göransson (GCRT ’08) won his second Oscar for Best Original Score for Oppenheimer, the year’s most-nominated film. He took home his first Oscar in 2019 for Black Panther. Composition alumna Katya Richardson… Continue reading USC Thornton celebrates 2024 Oscar winners
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