MUNA’s “Loudspeaker” at #1 on list of 50 best songs of 2015
The band MUNA, which was formed by USC Thornton Popular Music graduate Katie Gavin (BA ’15), current student Josette Maskin (BM ’16), along with Naomi McPherson, took the top spot in ShortList‘s “50 Best Songs of 2015.” The annual rundown, which highlights the publication’s favorite tracks from “big, small, old and new artists alike,” praised… Continue reading MUNA’s “Loudspeaker” at #1 on list of 50 best songs of 2015
Julia Adolphe to receive Lincoln Center Emerging Artist Award
Julia Adolphe, a doctoral candidate in the USC Thornton Composition program, is one of 12 young artists to receive the 2016 Lincoln Center Emerging Artist Award, which allows each of the organizations on the New York City cultural campus to celebrate a rising star in the performing arts. Selected for distinction by the New York… Continue reading Julia Adolphe to receive Lincoln Center Emerging Artist Award
Chamber Singers awarded 2015 American Prize
The USC Thornton Chamber Singers, led by Jo-Michael Scheibe, have been awarded the 2015 American Prize in Choral Music in the University/College Division. The American Prize series celebrates artistic excellence in a number of creative disciplines. Formed as the Madrigal Singers in 1939, the Chamber Singers have been hailed as a model of excellence since… Continue reading Chamber Singers awarded 2015 American Prize
Musicologist Eric Davis highlights a newly discovered Ford Lee “Buck” Washington recording
USC Thornton Musicology doctoral candidate Eric Davis presented at the national meeting of the American Musicological Society in Louisville, Kentucky. He presented his paper on a recently discovered private recording of Ford Lee “Buck” Washington, who had originated the role of Jasbo Brown in Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess. The paper, entitled Buck Washington’s Blues: A… Continue reading Musicologist Eric Davis highlights a newly discovered Ford Lee “Buck” Washington recording
Bassist Will Cravy wins prize in Pasadena Showcase House competition
Double Bassist and current USC Thornton graduate student William Cravy (BM ‘14, MM ‘16) was awarded second prize and the accompanying $2,500 award in the 30th Annual Pasadena Showcase House Instrumental Competition. The competition was judged by members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. Cravy also has advanced to finals for the 2016 Jefferson International… Continue reading Bassist Will Cravy wins prize in Pasadena Showcase House competition
Composition students and alums win orchestral competitions
USC Thornton Composition students and alumni continue to garner accolades. Two major Midwestern orchestras will feature compositions by USC students and alumni. “Even in Paradise,” by Patrick O’Malley (MM ’15, DMA candidate), and “Kaman Fantasy,” by Saad Haddad (BM, ’14), will be performed as part of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra’s Earshot program, under the baton… Continue reading Composition students and alums win orchestral competitions
Violinist Annelle Gregory performs in Encinitas and Torrance concerts
Violinist Annelle Gregory (BM ’17, violin), a student of USC Thornton Strings professor Glenn Dicterow, as well as laureate of the 2013 Stradivarius International Violin Competition and the 2015 National Sphinx Competition, was a featured performer in two recent concerts. Gregory performed for the city of Encinitas’ Music by the Sea concert series and the… Continue reading Violinist Annelle Gregory performs in Encinitas and Torrance concerts
Scott Jeppesen releases second album with help from jazz alumni, faculty
USC Thornton Jazz Studies alumnus and DMA candidate, Scott Jeppesen (MM ’08), celebrates the release of his second album, “Wonders,” which features original compositions that were inspired by the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The recording includes Jeppesen and fellow Thornton alumni Larry Koonse (’84, jazz) on guitar and Dan Schnelle (’05, jazz) on… Continue reading Scott Jeppesen releases second album with help from jazz alumni, faculty
Keyboard Studies students win prizes at Seattle International Piano Competition
USC Thornton’s Keyboard Studies department set an impressive benchmark at the 2015 Seattle International Piano Festival & Competition, hosted by the Seattle Symphony on October 17, with students and alumni bringing home several prizes. Sam Grodin, a DMA candidate studying with Lucinda Carver, took the Silver medal in the Professional division and its accompanying $1000… Continue reading Keyboard Studies students win prizes at Seattle International Piano Competition
Hui Jin and Aram Arakelyan perform at the USC Global Conference in Shanghai
Tenor Hui Jin, an International Artist Fellow and doctoral candidate of the USC Thornton Vocal Arts and Opera program, performed for attendees of the USC Global Conference in Shanghai last week, accompanied on piano by Keyboard Studies DMA candidate Aram Arakelyan. Jin is a highly-regarded tenor from Beijing who has appeared in numerous opera productions… Continue reading Hui Jin and Aram Arakelyan perform at the USC Global Conference in Shanghai