Kate Belshé (MM, ’13) appointed conductor of Jerusalem Oratorio Chamber Choir
USC Thornton Choral and Sacred Music alumna Kate Belshé (MM, ’13) was appointed conductor of the Jerusalem Oratorio Chamber Choir in Israel. The choir sings a varied repertoire of classical liturgical and secular music from the Renaissance to the present, including Israeli and Jewish music and arrangements of songs from around the world. The choir performs regularly… Continue reading Kate Belshé (MM, ’13) appointed conductor of Jerusalem Oratorio Chamber Choir
Ross Garren (BM, ’08) to attend Sundance Institute Music and Sound Design Lab
Ross Garren (BM, ’08) was recently chosen to attend the Sundance Institute Music and Sound Design Lab at Skywalker Sound. Garren, who was named Outstanding Graduate in Composition during his time at USC Thornton, is part of a select group of composers chosen to attend. The program will take place at the Skywalker Ranch in Northern… Continue reading Ross Garren (BM, ’08) to attend Sundance Institute Music and Sound Design Lab
Dale Trumbore (MM, ’11) wins Busan Choral Composition Competition
Dale Trumbore (MM, ’11), a composition alumna who studied under the tutelage of Donald Crockett and Morten Lauridsen, recently won the Busan Choral Composition Competition. As a part of the win, Trumbore will travel Busan, South Korea in October. There, her piece “Chant for Winter” will be performed by the Korean Ansan City Choir. The former USC Sadye… Continue reading Dale Trumbore (MM, ’11) wins Busan Choral Composition Competition
Composition alumnus scores soundtrack for Universal Pictures’ “A Walk Among The Tombstones”
Carlos Rivera (MM ’04, DMA ’10) has recently scored the soundtrack for Universal Pictures’ upcoming release, A Walk Among The Tombstones, starring Liam Neeson. Rivera recently signed with agent Amos Newman at William Morris Endeavor Entertainment (WME), whose clients include Hans Zimmer, Trent Reznor and Ennio Morricone. Scoring his first motion picture allowed Rivera the… Continue reading Composition alumnus scores soundtrack for Universal Pictures’ “A Walk Among The Tombstones”
Choral and Sacred Music alumna named Director of UCLA Chorale and UCLA Chamber Singers
USC Thornton alumna, Lesley Leighton (DMA, ’12) has joined the UCLA Department of Music as both a Lecturer and as Director of the UCLA Chorale and UCLA Chamber Singers for the 2014-2015 academic year. Leighton, who received her DMA in choral music, has worked as the Associate Conductor of the Los Angeles Master Chorale, Artistic Director… Continue reading Choral and Sacred Music alumna named Director of UCLA Chorale and UCLA Chamber Singers
Work by Jason Michael Saunders (MM, ’14) reviewed in Choral Journal
“Monotone,” a choral composition by alumnus Jason Michael Saunders (MM, ’14), was reviewed in the most recent edition of the American Choral Directors Association publication, Choral Journal. “With beautifully conjunct phrasing and accessible yet interesting phrasing,” writes reviewer Steven Grives, “Saunders has created a choral setting that can be performed by both amateur and professional ensembles.”
Grant Gershon named Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Master Chorale
The Los Angeles Master Chorale announced that Music Director and USC Thornton alumnus Grant Gershon will continue at the choir’s helm through the 2019-2020 season with the new title of Artistic Director. Gershon’s title change from Music Director to Artistic Director reflects the highly regarded conductor’s expanded vision to redefine the choral experience.
Morten Lauridsen to be featured guest at Valley Concert Chorale anniversary celebrations
USC Distinguished Professor of Composition Morten Lauridsen will serve as the guest of honor at this weekend’s “Morten Lauridsen Festival” in the San Francisco Bay Area. The event is being held in conjunction with the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Valley Concert Chorale. During the festival, Lauridsen will host workshops for local high school and college… Continue reading Morten Lauridsen to be featured guest at Valley Concert Chorale anniversary celebrations
Andrew Norman’s “Release” reviewed by Los Angeles Times
Composition faculty and USC Thornton alumnus Andrew Norman was praised by the Los Angeles Times for his composition “Release,” which premiered at the Walt Disney Concert Hall May 1. Reviewer Mark Swed called the work “wonderfully fresh,” and noted that the piece’s “climaxes rose and fell like the deep breaths of Zen monks meditating in… Continue reading Andrew Norman’s “Release” reviewed by Los Angeles Times
Andrew Norman to premiere new work with Los Angeles Philharmonic
Alumnus and Composition faculty Andrew Norman will premiere his latest piece, “Release,” with Emanuel Ax and the Los Angeles Philharmonic on May 1 and 3. The piece will be performed at the LA Phil’s “Ax Brahms Project: Ax & Dudamel” program at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Lucinda Carver, vice dean of the Classical Performance &… Continue reading Andrew Norman to premiere new work with Los Angeles Philharmonic