Max Opferkuch wins Pasadena Showcase Instrumental Competition
Clarinetist Max Opferkuch, an undergraduate at USC Thornton and the principal clarinetist in the student-run USC Concerto Chamber Orchestra, won the Grand Prize of the 33rd Pasadena Showcase Instrumental Competition. As part of his prize, he received $6000 to support his studies. The showcase for string, woodwind and brass music students from Southern California aged […]
Judith Farmer performs at Meg Quigley Vivaldi Competition and Bassoon Symposium
Judith Farmer, USC Thornton faculty member in bassoon, performed with alumnus Nick Gerpe (DMA ‘12) at the 2019 Meg Quigley Vivaldi Competition and Bassoon Symposium (MQVC), held at the Colburn School from January 11-13. MQVC is a three-day event that includes master classes, presentations, performances, and a competition for female bassoonists. Farmer, a 2016 GRAMMY […]
Sara Hiner named director of Settlement Music School’s Germantown Branch
USC Thornton alumna Sara Hiner (BM ’04, MM ’06) was recently appointed director of the Germantown Branch of the Settlement Music School in Philadelphia. Settlement, one of the oldest and largest community schools of the arts in the nation, provides financial aid to more than 60% of their students in music, dance and the creative […]
Annie Bosler publishes college prep book for musicians
USC Thornton alumna Annie Bosler (MM ’05, DMA ’08) recently published a guidebook on the application process for music schools and conservatories. Entitled College Prep for Musicians: A Comprehensive Guide for Students, Parents, Teachers, and Counselors, Bosler and her co-authors – Kathleen Tesar, associate dean for enrollment management at Juilliard, and psychologist Don Greene – […]
Erick Jovel wins position with Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
Trumpeter Erick Jovel, a USC Thorton DMA student, was appointed to the second trumpet position with Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra on November 20. LACO describes Jovel as a “musician whose versatility ranges from orchestral to jazz and other commercial music.” A native of Los Angeles, Jovel has numerous years experience performing with a variety of […]
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.