Andrew Harrison performs back-to-back concertos
Saxophone alumnus Andrew Harrison (DMA 15′) performed two back-to-back concertos last month at La Sierra University and Cerritos College. On November 10th, Harrison performed the premiere of Jim Stephenson’s Mobius Trip: Concerto for Saxophone and Wind Ensemble at La Sierra University in a concert conducted by alum Giovanni Santos (MM ’07). Three days later, on […]
Remy Taghavi joins New Haven Symphony as principal bassoon
USC Thornton alumnus Rémy Taghavi (BM ’12) recently won the principal bassoon position with the New Haven Symphony in New Haven, Connecticut. Taghavi has been a member of numerous performing ensembles, including the USC Thornton Symphony, Julliard Orchestra, New Juilliard Ensemble and various other chamber groups. Additionally, he has been a substitute member of Symphony […]
Alumnus Jules Pegram premieres new opera
USC Thornton alumnus Jules Pegram (BM ’13, Composition) recently composed, produced, and conducted two performances of Higher Ground, a sixty-minute, one act opera with a libretto by North Carolina-based writer Jim Whiteside. Scored for seven principal vocalists, SATB chorus, and chamber orchestra, the opera was fully staged on April 4 & 5, 2018 at the […]
Alumna Sue Elliott chosen to lead new Tanglewood Learning Institute
Alumna Sue Elliott (MM ’98, Clarinet) was recently appointed as the inaugural director of the Tanglewood Learning Institute, a new educational music facility set to open in the Summer of 2019. A project of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, in collaboration with the Tanglewood Music Center, the institute’s four new buildings will host year-round educational talks […]
Concerto Chamber Orchestra recruiting members
The Concerto Chamber Orchestra, a student-led ensemble for non-major musicians, will be holding auditions for performers of all orchestral instruments and skill levels, September 1st and 2nd, on the USC Thornton campus. The orchestra presents two popular concerts each semester. Interested students can email concertochamberorchestra@gmail.com to set up an audition time.
Thornton brass musicians join prestigious military ensembles
Two USC Thornton musicians have recently joined bands in the nation’s capital. Jake Kraft (BM ’14) took a trombone position with the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” while trumpeter and masters candidate Seth Johnson joined the United States Navy Concert Band and Ceremonial Band. Johnson described the position with the Navy’s premiere ensemble as […]
Alumnus J.G. Miller premieres new U.S. Cyber Command march
USC Thornton alumnus, Staff Sergeant J.G. Miller (DMA ’13, Horn), was recently invited to compose a new march for the U.S. Cyber Command, which was premiered on May 4th by the United States Army Field Band in a ceremony at Fort Meade, Maryland. The march can be here in this video at 58:00. Miller is […]
Alumnus Garrett McQueen becomes Classical 24 radio host
Garrett McQueen (MM ’12, Bassoon), an alumnus of the USC Thornton Winds & Percussion program, recently joined the hosting team of Classical 24, a nationally-syndicated radio program produced by American Public Media and Public Radio International. McQueen, who formerly hosted “The Afternoon Concert” on Knoxville’s WUOT-FM, is also an accomplished musician, performing with the St. […]
Video of Somang Jeagal in recital at the Greystone Mansion
The Music in the Mansion concert series, which presents chamber music at the historical Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills, recently published a video showcasing a February performance by pianist and 2018 Outstanding Graduate Somang Jeagal (AD ’15, GCRT ’17, MM ’18). The Keyboard Collaborative Arts student and three-time Beverly Hills National Auditions winner was joined […]
Jennifer Marotta featured on trumpet podcast
Trumpet player and USC Thornton faculty member Jennifer Marotta was recently featured as a guest on The Other Side of the Bell, a trumpet-focused podcast produced by Bob Reeves Brass of Valencia. Marotta spoke extensively about her history with the instrument, her performance career, and professional affiliations. Marotta and her husband, faculty member Thomas Hooten, […]