Michael Stever
Jazz trumpeter and composer Michael Stever teaches at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music. An alumnus of the school, Stever has performed widely, most notably as lead/solo trumpet for the “Mancini at the Movies” tour, and has recorded with Steve Miller, Brian Culbertson, Eric Marienthal, and Eric Darius. As a composer, Michael… Continue reading Michael Stever
Student Shou Ping Liu selected for conducting master class in Denmark
Shou Ping Liu, a doctoral candidate in the USC Thornton Choral & Sacred Music program has been selected to participate in the Nordic Master Class in Instrumental Conducting in Sønderborg, Denmark, this January. Liu will be the only participant from an American school. At the conclusion of the masterclass, which will be led by professor… Continue reading Student Shou Ping Liu selected for conducting master class in Denmark
Drew Mikuška wins ASCAP Screen Scoring scholarship
Drew Mikuška (BM ’14, composition), a graduate student in the USC Thornton Screen Scoring program, was recently honored by the American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers (ASCAP) Foundation with the Betty Rose Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded annually to an exceptional Screen Scoring student who will receive intensive mentorship sessions with a prominent screen… Continue reading Drew Mikuška wins ASCAP Screen Scoring scholarship
Juan Pablo Contreras wins Jalisco Orchestral Composition Prize
Juan Pablo Contreras, a doctoral candidate of the USC Thornton Composition program, recently won the Jalisco Orchestral Composition Prize with his work, Mariachitlán. Written under the guidance of Composition chair Donald Crockett, the work will be performed by the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra, under guest conductor Miguel Salmón de Real, on December 9 and 11, 2016.… Continue reading Juan Pablo Contreras wins Jalisco Orchestral Composition Prize
Musical America names Benjamin Mitchell and Christopher Koelsch “Professionals of the Year”
Musical America has named USC Thornton student Benjamin Mitchell as one of its “Professionals of the Year,” in a focus on artistic innovators and entrepreneurs. Mitchell, a clarinetist and GCRT candidate in the Arts Leadership program, founded the Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra, which is currently thriving in its third season. Christopher Koelsch, president and CEO of… Continue reading Musical America names Benjamin Mitchell and Christopher Koelsch “Professionals of the Year”
Thornton Winners at Los Angeles International Liszt Competition
Several students of the USC Thornton Keyboard Studies department took prizes at the Los Angeles International Liszt Competition held last month at Azusa Pacific University. Hanbo Ma (pictured at left), a DMA candidate under professor Daniel Pollack, won the top prize in the prestigious Budapest Concert Division, earning a solo recital tour to Washington D.C.,… Continue reading Thornton Winners at Los Angeles International Liszt Competition
Eric Abramovitz joins alumnus Donald Foster in the Santa Barbara Symphony clarinet section
Clarinetist Eric Abramovitz, a USC Thornton Winds & Percussion graduate student of faculty member Yehuda Gilad, has won the 2nd/Eb clarinet position with the Santa Barbara Symphony. The ensemble also includes Thornton alumnus Donald T. Foster (MM ’96) as the principal clarinet.
Michael “Smidi” Smith
Michael “Smidi” Smith is an Emmy, Clio, Telly and Addy Award winner who has produced and written songs that have sold over 14 million copies worldwide including multiple #1 songs, albums and top tens. Smidi has worked with Coldplay, Sia, Ke$ha, Britney Spears, Kelly Rowland, the Pussycat Dolls, One Republic, Tyrone Wells, Paramore and others.… Continue reading Michael “Smidi” Smith
Georgi Dimitrov receives Maestro Foundation Viola Award
Georgi Dimitrov (MM ’14), a DMA candidate in the USC Thornton Composition program, recently received the Viola Award from the Maestro Foundation of Los Angeles, which supports the development of gifted young musicians. Dimitrov, who minors in viola performance at Thornton, was loaned a 2003 “Zanetto” viola and bow created by highly-regarded violin maker Mario… Continue reading Georgi Dimitrov receives Maestro Foundation Viola Award
Winds & Percussion students shine around the globe
Students of the USC Thornton oboe studio have been excelling internationally in recent months. Masters student Bhavani Kotha was a finalist for the prestigious Berlin Philharmonic Institute and was the only American who advanced to the finals. Kotha was also awarded 2nd Place in the Enkor International Young Musicians Competition in London for the Wind… Continue reading Winds & Percussion students shine around the globe