Jeffrey Kahane named music director of San Antonio Philharmonic
USC Thornton Keyboard Studies faculty member Jeffrey Kahane has been named music director of the San Antonio Philharmonic. Kahane will begin his tenure with the Philharmonic in their 2024-2025 season while continuing to teach at Thornton. Curated by Kahane, the 2024-2025 season will showcase pieces both classical and contemporary, including the work of Thornton alumnus… Continue reading Jeffrey Kahane named music director of San Antonio Philharmonic
Bear McCreary composes score for Disney+ series, “Percy Jackson and the Olympians”
USC Thornton Composition program alumnus Bear McCreary (’02) composed the score for the Disney+ television series, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, which premiered on Dec. 20. The series follows the demigod Percy Jackson when he must embark on a dangerous quest to return Zeus’ master bolt. The first season of Percy Jackson and the Olympians… Continue reading Bear McCreary composes score for Disney+ series, “Percy Jackson and the Olympians”
Gerald Clayton tours North America with The Blue Note Quintet
Pianist, composer and USC Thornton alumnus Gerald Clayton (’07) has embarked on a North American tour with The Blue Note Quintet—featuring saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, vibraphonist Joel Ross, drummer Kendrick Scott and bassist Matt Brewer—in celebration of Blue Note Records’ 85th Anniversary. The tour includes 35 stops from January 18th to March 8th, with a Los… Continue reading Gerald Clayton tours North America with The Blue Note Quintet
Katya Richardson co-composed score for “The Last Repair Shop”
USC Thornton Composition program alumna Katya Richardson (’19) co-composed the score for The Last Repair Shop, a Los Angeles Times and Searchlight Pictures production. The soundtrack was nominated for Best Score in the eighth annual Critics Choice Documentary Awards. Directed by USC School of Cinematic Arts alum Ben Proudfoot and Kris Bowers, the Oscar-nominated short… Continue reading Katya Richardson co-composed score for “The Last Repair Shop”
Ludwig Göransson earns Academy Award nomination while USC Thornton alumni and faculty are featured in nominated films
Alumni and faculty from across the music departments and programs of USC Thornton were well represented in the 2024 Oscar nominations, announced on January 23. Ludwig Göransson (GCRT ’08) earned his third nomination in the Best Original Score category for Oppenheimer while composition alum Katya Richardson (’19) composed the score to Best Documentary Short nominee The Last Repair… Continue reading Ludwig Göransson earns Academy Award nomination while USC Thornton alumni and faculty are featured in nominated films
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