Keyboard Collaborative Arts alum Jessica Hall takes on coaching role with Minnesota Opera
Jessica Hall (MM ’09, GCRT ’11, DMA ’14, Keyboard Collaborative Arts), a graduate of the USC Thornton Keyboard Collaborative Arts program, will serve as Minnesota Opera’s Resident Artist pianist and coach for the 2015-16 season. The highly competitive Resident Artist Program is a professional training ground for exceptional artists and musicians. Hall previously worked as… Continue reading Keyboard Collaborative Arts alum Jessica Hall takes on coaching role with Minnesota Opera
Morten Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna heard around the world in a single week
USC Distinguished Professor Morten Lauridsen’s beloved choral work, Lux Aeterna, spanned the globe this week. On Sunday, March 22, Lauridsen’s work was performed by members of the Fairfax Choral Society at Carnegie Hall. On Friday, March 27, the University of Aberdeen Chamber Choir, led by Choral & Sacred Music professor Suzi Digby, will perform Lux… Continue reading Morten Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna heard around the world in a single week
Los Angeles Guitar Quartet releases new album
The Grammy Award-winning Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, which features John Dearman, USC Thornton alum Matthew Greif, and USC Thornton faculty Scott Tenant and William Kanengiser, has released a new album, entitled New Renaissance. The recording, which evokes 16th century La Mancha with a distinctly modern aesthetic, was partially funded through a crowd-sourced Kickstarter campaign, which… Continue reading Los Angeles Guitar Quartet releases new album
Alan Chan leads his ensemble in performance at El Camino College
USC Thornton alumni Alan Chan (DMA ’08), founder of the Alan Chan Jazz Orchestra, led the group in a performance at the El Camino College Center for Performing Arts on March 6. The band’s debut album Shrimp Tale received rave reviews from several critics. “Quick, clever, and well-executed shifts in mood, meter, and musical language… Continue reading Alan Chan leads his ensemble in performance at El Camino College
Musicology chair Joanna Demers speaks about “Blurred Lines” verdict on NPR radio
Joanna Demers, USC Thornton chair of Musicology, was a featured guest on the NPR radio show, “On Point with Tom Ashbrook.” Demers, whose research and teaching interests include popular and experimental music since 1945, weighed in on the music copyright fight involving Robin Thicke and Pharrell William’s 2013 mega-hit, “Blurred Lines.” A Los Angeles jury… Continue reading Musicology chair Joanna Demers speaks about “Blurred Lines” verdict on NPR radio
Doctoral student Eun Cho publishes two music education articles
USC Thornton Music Education doctoral candidate Eun Cho has had two articles published in music education journals. “What do mothers say? Korean mothers’ perceptions of children’s participation in extra-curricular musical activities” was published in Music Education Research, while The Korean Journal of Research in Music Education, published “Music education and intelligence: A literature review.” Cho… Continue reading Doctoral student Eun Cho publishes two music education articles
Cardinal Winds sextet win Grand Prize at Plowman Chamber Music Competition
The Cardinal Winds woodwinds sextet has been awarded the Grand Prize in the 2015 Plowman Chamber Music Competition in Columbia, MO. The ensemble, which formed at USC Thornton in 2014, features Catherine Baker, flute (GCRT), Zachary Pulse, oboe (GCRT), Kelsi Doolittle, clarinet (MM), Alex Garcia, bassoon (MM ’13), Carrie Rexroat, horn (MM) and Hedy Lee,… Continue reading Cardinal Winds sextet win Grand Prize at Plowman Chamber Music Competition
Norman Krieger receives favorable review for performance of Rachmaninoff piano concerto
USC Thornton Keyboard Studies professor Norman Krieger‘s March 8 performance of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 with the Bangor Symphony Orchestra was met with a glowing review by the Ellsworth American. Krieger “proved to be both technically and musically attuned to the piece” and “never pushed but allowed his hands to explore each nuance and… Continue reading Norman Krieger receives favorable review for performance of Rachmaninoff piano concerto
John Hallberg to perform at Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall and 17th World Saxophone Congress
Saxophonist John Hallberg was recently awarded first prize in the American Protégé International Woodwind and Brass Competition. The USC Thornton DMA candidate also received the Judges Distinction Award and was invited to perform at the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall on Sat., March 21. In July, Hallberg will travel to Strasbourg, France to perform… Continue reading John Hallberg to perform at Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall and 17th World Saxophone Congress
Frank Ticheli featured as guest composer with Michigan Philharmonic
USC Thornton composition professor Frank Ticheli was recently honored as guest composer with the Michigan Philharmonic Orchestra, which featured his hugely popular Blue Shades as part of its Pipe Dreams program. Ticheli is a recipient of the Arts and Letters Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters and has served as a guest… Continue reading Frank Ticheli featured as guest composer with Michigan Philharmonic