Music education and choral alumni win professional awards
Several USC Thornton alumni have won significant awards in recent months. Dr. Lorna Zemke (MM ’68, DMA ’73, music education), formerly the Director of Graduate Music at Silver Lake College in Wisconsin, was awarded the International Katalin Forrai Award by the International Kodaly Society (IKS) for her contributions to Early Childhood Music Education. Fellow Music… Continue reading Music education and choral alumni win professional awards
Jazz alumnus featured guest on Jazz Access podcast
Trumpeter and USC Thornton Jazz Studies alumnus Walt Simonsen (MM ’06, DMA ’10) was a featured guest on the Jazz Access podcast, on which he talked about the experience of being a professional jazz musician in Los Angeles and reflected about his time at USC. Simonsen leads a trumpet quintet called Trumpetology, which will release… Continue reading Jazz alumnus featured guest on Jazz Access podcast
Alumni take positions with several American orchestras
Several USC Thornton alumni have been awarded orchestral positions. Percussion alumnus Tyler Stell (MM ’12, GCRT ’14) will join the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra as principal timpani, while fellow alumnus Matt Howard (BM ’12) will take a percussion position with the New World Symphony of Miami. Alumna Esther Armendariz (BM ’13, trombone) has won the position… Continue reading Alumni take positions with several American orchestras
Jazz alumna Kait Dunton releases new album with trioKAIT
Jazz pianist and composer Kait Dunton (DMA ’13), an alumna of the USC Thornton Jazz Studies program, will release a new album with her ensemble, trioKAIT. The group includes fellow alumnus Jake Reed (MM ’10, DMA ’13, Jazz Studies) on drums, as well as electric bassist Cooper Appelt. Dunton has previously released two albums of… Continue reading Jazz alumna Kait Dunton releases new album with trioKAIT
Alumni and faculty receive EMMY nominations for outstanding film scoring
USC Thornton alumni and faculty have been honored with EMMY Award nominations. Duncan Thum (BA ’06, Guitar, GCRT ’13, SMPTV) has been nominated for Outstanding Music Composition For A Series (Original Dramatic Score) for the documentary series “Chef’s Table.” Several other alumni, including composers Tyler Sabbag (BS ’05, Jazz Studies) and Steve Gernes (GCRT ’13,… Continue reading Alumni and faculty receive EMMY nominations for outstanding film scoring
Choral alum Robert P.D. Duff to direct Brandeis University program
USC Thornton Choral Music alumnus Robert P.D. Duff (DMA ’00) has been appointed to Brandeis University as Choral Conductor, where he will lead two choral ensembles, teach conducting and oversee their vocal program. He will continue as Artistic and Musical Director at the Handel Society at Dartmouth. Duff formerly served as Director of Music for… Continue reading Choral alum Robert P.D. Duff to direct Brandeis University program
New York City alumni honor Thomas Bähler with Tommy Award
USC Thornton graduate Thomas Bähler (BM ’66) was one of four alumni honored by the USC Alumni Club of New York at their 6th annual Tommy Awards ceremony. The awards celebrate outstanding alumni for their extraordinary contributions to the cultural, philanthropic and business communities of New York City. Bähler is a composer, author and entrepreneur.
Work by alumnus Jules Pegram featured in Underwood New Music concert
USC Thornton alumnus and Outstanding Graduate Jules Pegram (BM ’13, composition) was one of seven composers selected by the American Composers Orchestra for its annual Underwood New Music Readings concert in New York City. His orchestral piece, Shadows of the Studio, is a “musical tribute to the glory days of Hollywood’s ‘studio system.’” In an… Continue reading Work by alumnus Jules Pegram featured in Underwood New Music concert
Alumna Edie Lehmann Boddicker elected to leadership role with Recording Academy
Singer, conductor, and musical arranger Edie Lehmann Boddicker, a 1979 alumna of USC Thornton, was recently elected to the Board of Governors of the Recording Academy Los Angeles Chapter, the membership organization behind the GRAMMY Awards. Lehmann Boddicker is known for her vocal work and choral direction on dozens of Hollywood films. She began her… Continue reading Alumna Edie Lehmann Boddicker elected to leadership role with Recording Academy
Piano alumnus Robert Thies performs Prokofiev with Louisville Orchestra
Concert pianist and USC Thornton alumnus Robert Thies (BM ’93, MM ’95, piano) performed Prokofiev’s Concerto No. 3 in C Major, Op. 26, recently with the Louisville Orchestra, receiving a strong review from WUOL.org. Reviewer Daniel Gilliam reported that “Pianist Robert Thies and the orchestra play equal roles, moving gracefully through sometimes quirky, sometimes elegant… Continue reading Piano alumnus Robert Thies performs Prokofiev with Louisville Orchestra