José Gonzalez Granero premieres composition
USC Thornton alumnus José Gonzalez Granero (GRCT ’09) premiered his composition “Gion Overture” with the Emporia Symphony Orchestra last week. Granero, who is the Principal Clarinetist for the San Francisco Opera Orchestra, wrote the piece based on the historical neighborhood of Gion in Kyoto, Japan.
Jim Self featured on cover of AFM International Musician magazine
USC Thornton Winds and Percussion faculty member Jim Self was featured on the cover of the International American Federation of Musicians magazine’s March issue. The cover article discusses Self’s prolific success as an international soloist, chamber musician, orchestral tubist, studio musician, composer, and a life-long educator. Self also discusses his journey as a solo performing […]
Gernot Wolfgang collaborates with Thornton faculty and alumni on new album
USC Thornton alumnus Gernot Wolfgang (’94) just announced his new chamber music album Vienna and the West on Albany Records. The album, which was recorded over four days in May 2018, features Thornton faculty members Judith Farmer, Ben Hong and Andrew Shulman, as well as Thornton alumni Nic Gerpe (DMA ’12), Edgar Lopez (MM’ 15, […]
Thomas Hooten releases album celebrating John Williams
Thomas Hooten, a USC Thornton faculty member and the Principal Trumpet of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, has released the album, Hooten Plays Williams. Comprised of two pieces by the award-winning composer John Williams, Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra and Born on the Fourth of July, the album was funded through a successful Kickstarter campaign that […]
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 […]