Keyboard Studies faculty and student release new music
USC Thornton Keyboard Studies faculty member Bernadene Blaha released a CD album, Noskowski & Żeleński: Violin Sonatas, with violinist Laurence Kayaleh via Naxos Records. The album, released Dec. 1 on Apple Music, features the work of Polish composers Zygmunt Noskowski and Władysław Żeleński. A performance of Violin Sonata in A minor off the album can… Continue reading Keyboard Studies faculty and student release new music
Chamber music ensemble AGAVE releases new album
Grammy-nominated chamber music ensemble AGAVE, which features USC Thornton alumni Kevin Cooper (DMA ‘06) and William Skeen (MM ‘01), released the album AGAVE: In Her Hands. The recording features acclaimed soprano Michele Kennedy and works from composers Florence Price, Robert Schumann, Felix Mendelssohn, Pauline Viardot, Dora Pejacevic and Margaret Bonds. AGAVE: In Her Hands celebrates… Continue reading Chamber music ensemble AGAVE releases new album
Ludwig Göransson nominated in 2024 Golden Globes
Ludwig Göransson (GCRT ’08) was nominated in the 2024 Golden Globes for Best Original Score with Oppenheimer, announced Dec. 11. Oppenheimer earned eight nominations, coming in second next to Barbie, which led with nine. Göransson has earned endless praise for composing the film’s distinctive soundtrack since its July 2023 premiere. He received multiple Grammy nominations… Continue reading Ludwig Göransson nominated in 2024 Golden Globes
Jeff Brabec and Todd Brabec receive Support of Songwriters and Publishers Award from AIMP LA
Jeff Brabec and Todd Brabec, faculty members in the USC Thornton Music Industry program, received the Support of Songwriters and Publishers Award at AIMP LA’s 2023 Holiday Party and Annual Awards on Dec. 5. The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) held their year-end event in Beverly Hills, CA. AIMP LA president Marc Caruso presented… Continue reading Jeff Brabec and Todd Brabec receive Support of Songwriters and Publishers Award from AIMP LA
Dean Jason King talks diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education
On Nov. 24, USC Thornton Dean Jason King was featured in a Forbes article about diversity, equity and inclusion in academia. King explained how representation, allyship and diversity can operate in a university setting and why they’re important. He emphasized that DEI initiatives in higher education are ongoing, with representation being at the center of… Continue reading Dean Jason King talks diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education
Remi Wolf joins Paramore and Olivia Rodrigo on tour
USC Thornton Popular Music program alumna Remi Wolf (‘18) was a special guest on Paramore’s Australian tour in November. Wolf performed at all six shows across Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland. She is featured on the track “You First” off their latest album, Re: This is Why. Wolf will join artist Olivia Rodrigo on the… Continue reading Remi Wolf joins Paramore and Olivia Rodrigo on tour
Thornton alumni win in 2023 Hollywood Music in Media Awards
USC Thornton alumni won in various categories of the 2023 Hollywood Music in Media Awards, which were presented Nov. 15 at The Avalon in Los Angeles. Music Industry alum Angela Leus (’22) won in the film music supervision category for her work on Trolls Band Together. Screen Scoring alum Fabrizio Mancinelli (GCRT ’09) won best… Continue reading Thornton alumni win in 2023 Hollywood Music in Media Awards
Austin Wintory co-composed score for “Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical”
USC Thornton Composition program alumnus Austin Wintory (‘07) co-composed the score for the video game “Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical,” developed by Summerfall Studios. According to Variety, the urban-fantasy game, which was released Aug. 10, is unique for allowing players to choose how a song will develop lyrically, musically and emotionally. Wintory described this feature… Continue reading Austin Wintory co-composed score for “Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical”
Mak Grgić’s company, Notey, receives InnoVision Award for Education and Technology
Mak Grgić (MM ’12, DMA ’16, GCRT ’20), a Grammy-nominated guitarist and USC Thornton Arts Leadership alumnus, received the InnoVision Award for Education and Technology for Notey, the startup company he co-founded in 2022. The company also includes USC alumni Adithya Bellathur, Jack Bailey and Andrew Hulin. Notey is an AI-based music education company that… Continue reading Mak Grgić’s company, Notey, receives InnoVision Award for Education and Technology
San Francisco to honor Michael Tilson Thomas with street name
San Francisco mayor London N. Breed has introduced legislation that would rename the Civic Center block near Davies Symphony Hall after celebrated conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, a Thornton alumnus and Judge Widney Professor at USC. The block between Franklin Street and Van Ness Avenue will be named “MTT Way” in honor of Thomas’s contributions to… Continue reading San Francisco to honor Michael Tilson Thomas with street name