Ludwig Göransson featured on new single from Vargas and Lagola
USC Thornton Screen Scoring alum Ludwig Göransson (GC ’08) is featured on a new single from Swedish songwriters and producers Vargas & Lagola, titled “Somebody That Understands Me.” The ‘80s rock-inspired song includes an extended guitar solo by Göransson, who’s most known for his GRAMMY and Oscar-winning work as a producer and composer. Vargas & […]
Rod Gilfry receives warm reviews for “Eurydice”
USC Thornton Vocal Arts faculty member Rod Gilfry has been met with warm reviews for his performance as Eurydice’s father in LA Opera’s “Eurydice,” a new opera composed by Matthew Aucoin with playwright Sarah Ruhl. The Los Angeles Times calls Gilfry’s performance an “exceptional accomplishment” and describes his character as “the voice from the beyond […]
Angela Little talks Screen Scoring with Spectrum News
Screen Scoring alum Angela Little (MM ’19) was featured on Spectrum News this week, discussing how making the move to Los Angeles to attend USC Thornton helped propel her career as a composer. Originally from Australia, Little knew USC Thornton’s reputation and connection to the industry would bring her closer to her goal of becoming […]
Erik Hammer performs in Super Bowl halftime show
USC Thornton alum Erik Hammer had the best seat in the house for Sunday night’s Super Bowl halftime show: on stage, playing guitar with Shakira. Hammer is no stranger to playing with the stars—he was previously guitarist for rapper Lupe Fiasco.
Nina C. Young to premiere new work with New York Philharmonic
USC Thornton Composition faculty member Nina C. Young will premiere a new work with the New York Philharmonic on Feb. 5, with three additional performances through Feb. 11. Young’s piece, “Tread Softly,” was commissioned as part of the Philharmonic’s Project 19 initiative to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment with […]
Ben Hong performs tribute to Kobe Bryant at Lakers game
On Friday, Jan. 31, cellist and USC Thornton Strings faculty member Ben Hong performed at Staples Center in tribute to Kobe Bryant and the lives lost on Jan. 26. The tribute was part of a program to celebrate Bryant’s life preceding the Lakers’ first game since the legendary NBA player’s sudden death. Hong performed a […]
Daniel Weidlein produces debut album by vocal artist Julie Craig
USC Thornton Jazz Studies alum Daniel Weidlein (BM ’12) recently produced, arranged and orchestrated the debut album by vocal artist Julie Craig, From Here, released on Jan. 10. On the album, Craig, who is known for her roles in Broadway shows such as “Les Miserables” and “West Side Story,” performs classics and original music, backed […]
NEA grants to fund new and continued work by USC Thornton faculty and alumni
The latest round of grants awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts will fuel new and continued work by USC Thornton faculty and alumni. The LA Master Chorale, led by artistic director and USC Thornton Keyboard Studies alum Grant Gershon (BM ’85), was awarded funding for a series of contemporary choral music concerts, as […]
King Princess nominated for GLAAD Media Award
King Princess, known off-stage as Mikaela Straus, has been nominated for a 2020 GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Music Artist. Her nomination comes after the success of her debut album, Cheap Queen, that released in the fall of 2019. Straus is a non-degreed USC Thornton alum who studied in the popular music program. Her keyboardist, […]
Celka Ojakangas selected as resident composer for Mizzou International Composers Festival
Composition alum and current DMA candidate Celka Ojakangas (MM ’18) has been selected to appear as one of eight resident composers at the 2020 Mizzou International Composers Festival (MICF). Ojakangas was selected from among a record 346 entrants from 24 countries. As a resident composer, Ojakangas will give presentations about her work, take composition lessons […]