Sue Elliott joins Calgary Opera as general director and CEO
Sue Elliott (MM ‘98), a USC Thornton Winds & Percussion alumna, was appointed as general director and CEO of the Calgary Opera in Calgary, Alberta. She will partner with artistic director Jonathan Brandani to realize the company’s mission of providing the community with diverse operas, educational programs, artist training and more. “I have long admired… Continue reading Sue Elliott joins Calgary Opera as general director and CEO
Master’s student Nico Valencia selected for 2023-2025 LACO Fellowship
Nico Valencia, a violist and master’s student in the USC Thornton Strings department, was selected for Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra’s 2023-2025 Fellowship program. Presented in partnership with the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles, the program aims to diversify American orchestras and support emerging classical musicians of color. As one of four fellows, Valencia… Continue reading Master’s student Nico Valencia selected for 2023-2025 LACO Fellowship
Ambrose Akinmusire releases debut Nonesuch Records album, Owl Song
Composer, trumpeter and USC Thornton Jazz Studies department alumnus Ambrose Akinmusire (MM ‘07) released his new album, Owl Song, with Nonesuch Records on Dec. 15. The album features a trio with guitarist Bill Frisell and drummer Herlin Riley. Hailed as “spellbinding,” Owl Song was on the New York Times’ list of Best Jazz Albums of… Continue reading Ambrose Akinmusire releases debut Nonesuch Records album, Owl Song
Rosie Ding to conduct in Western ACDA 2024 conducting masterclass
Rosie Ding, a USC Thornton Choral & Sacred Music undergraduate and Student Ambassador, was selected to conduct in the Western American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) 2024 conducting masterclass. The masterclass is part of Western ACDA’s regional conference, which is scheduled for March 6-9 in Pasadena, CA.
USC Thornton music industry class visits L.A. Coliseum
USC Thornton’s Concert Production and Promotion class took a field trip to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, as featured by USC Today. Students toured the stadium and learned from Coliseum staff about the production of large-scale music events, bringing classroom concepts to life. The class is taught by Michael Garcia, chair of the music industry… Continue reading USC Thornton music industry class visits L.A. Coliseum
Screen Scoring alumni awarded in 2023 Children’s & Family Emmys
USC Thornton Screen Scoring program alumni Alex Nickson (’03), Bob Lydecker (’08, GCRT ’09) and Kevin Lax (’08, GCRT ’09) were awarded in the second annual Children’s & Family Emmy Awards on Dec. 16. They won in the category of Outstanding Music Direction and Composition for an Animated Program with the Netflix series, Kung Fu… Continue reading Screen Scoring alumni awarded in 2023 Children’s & Family Emmys
Leo Birenberg awarded in 75th Creative Arts Emmys
Film and television composer Leo Birenberg (GCRT ’11) was awarded in the 75th Creative Arts Emmy Awards, held January 7 at the Peacock Theater at L.A. LIVE. Alongside co-composer Zach Robinson, Birenberg won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Composition for a Limited or Anthology Series, Movie or Special with Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.… Continue reading Leo Birenberg awarded in 75th Creative Arts Emmys
Ludwig Göransson wins 2024 Golden Globe for Oppenheimer score
Acclaimed composer Ludwig Göransson (GCRT ’08) won Best Original Score for a Motion Picture with Oppenheimer in the 81st Golden Globe Awards, held January 7 at The Beverly Hilton. The film earned awards in five categories, including Best Motion Picture – Drama. Göransson has received two prior Golden Globe nominations for Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther… Continue reading Ludwig Göransson wins 2024 Golden Globe for Oppenheimer score
Amber Wild opened for KISS on their 2023 farewell tour
Amber Wild, a band featuring guitarist and USC Thornton alum Marshall Via (BM ’21, MS ’21) as well as current Thornton student, drummer Thomas Lowrey, opened for KISS on their 2023 “End of the Road” farewell tour, which culminated on Dec. 2 in New York City. The band formed in January 2023 and is led… Continue reading Amber Wild opened for KISS on their 2023 farewell tour
Nina Shekhar joins composition faculty of Mannes School of Music at The New School
Composer, multimedia artist and USC Thornton alumna Nina Shekhar (MM ’20) has joined the composition faculty of Mannes School of Music at The New School. Shekhar recently earned praise from The New Yorker for her pieces “hush” and “rockabye-bye,” which were part of the California Festival this past November. Shekhar currently serves as Composer-in-Residence of… Continue reading Nina Shekhar joins composition faculty of Mannes School of Music at The New School