Austin Wintory to conduct 2026 BAFTA Games in Concert
USC Thornton Composition program alumnus Austin Wintory (’07) is set to conduct the BAFTA Games in Concert in Jan. 2026 at Royal Festival Hall. Celebrating 20 years of the BAFTA Games Awards, the concert features soundtracks ranging from household names to those from pioneering independent studios. “I take a certain delight in programming into the… Continue reading Austin Wintory to conduct 2026 BAFTA Games in Concert
Julia Moss presents world premiere of “(Please Don’t) Look Away” with LACO
On Nov. 22 and 23, USC Thornton Composition program alumna Julia Moss (MM ’24) premiered her work “(Please Don’t) Look Away” with Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) as part of the concert “A Brahmsian Affair.” Exploring empathy, reflection and renewal, her sextet bridges Brahms’ Romantic spirit with a bold, contemporary voice that plays with time… Continue reading Julia Moss presents world premiere of “(Please Don’t) Look Away” with LACO
USC alum Lenny Waronker inducted into 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
USC alum and former Thornton Board of Councilors member Lenny Waronker was recently inducted into the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Waronker is best known for his historic tenure as head of Warner Brothers A&R through the ‘70s and president through the ‘80s, where he groundbreakingly prioritized creative integrity over commercial pressure. Having… Continue reading USC alum Lenny Waronker inducted into 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Thornton receives 27 nominations for 68th Grammy Awards
On Nov. 11, alumni, faculty and Creative Vanguard Artists from the USC Thornton School of Music received 27 nominations for the 68th Grammy Awards. Our list of honorees includes veterans scoring a repeat trip to the awards, rising talent and first-time nominees. The album Fasten Up by jazz super group Yellowjackets was nominated for Best… Continue reading Thornton receives 27 nominations for 68th Grammy Awards
Michael Abels discusses diversity regression at 2025 WSA Film Music Days
USC Thornton alumnus and founder Michael Abels (‘84), Sandro Morales-Santoro and Amritha Vaz of Composers Diversity Collective (CDC) spoke at a panel at the Music Days at Film Fest Gent. Winners of the World Soundtrack Awards Industry Award, which recognizes meaningful contribution in the film music industry, the CDC aims to overcome barriers of cultural… Continue reading Michael Abels discusses diversity regression at 2025 WSA Film Music Days
Kana Funayama joins Pasadena City College as Applied Percussion faculty
Kana Funayama (ARTD ’25), acclaimed marimbist, percussionist and collaborator, has been appointed as a faculty member in Applied Percussion at Pasadena City College (PCC). Her extensive teaching background includes delivering masterclasses and guest lessons at leading institutions such as the USC Thornton School of Music, in addition to serving as percussion faculty at California State… Continue reading Kana Funayama joins Pasadena City College as Applied Percussion faculty
Two Screen Scoring alums take home 2021 Creative Arts Emmy Awards
Ludwig Göransson (GCRT ’08) won his second Emmy for his work on Disney+’s “The Mandalorian,” with Carlos Rafael Rivera (DMA ’10) earning his second Emmy with a win for “The Queen’s Gambit” on Netflix.
New York Philharmonic performs Nina Shekhar
The music of Nina Shekhar (MM ’20, Composition) will be featured as part of the New York Philharmonic’s 2021-22 season.
Daedelus and Kneebody profiled in the Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal recently profiled USC Thornton Jazz Studies alumnus Alfred Darlington (BA ’00 in Music), known professionally as Daedelus, and his role in the jazz sextet Kneedelus, which performed at the Echoplex last week. Darlington, who began experimenting in electronic music while at Thornton, took on the persona of Daedulus as he produced… Continue reading Daedelus and Kneebody profiled in the Wall Street Journal
Ben Bram and Scott Hoying win second GRAMMY Awards with Pentatonix
USC Thornton alums Ben Bram (’10, music industry) and Scott Hoying won their second GRAMMY Awards last night for their arrangement of Pentatonix’s “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy,” from the a cappella super-group’s “That’s Christmas to Me” album. For the second straight year, the duo won for Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella, the… Continue reading Ben Bram and Scott Hoying win second GRAMMY Awards with Pentatonix