University of Southern California

USC Thornton's Classical Guitar department launches the Fall season of Music@RushHour in first-rate style, showcasing dazzling pieces for the guitar from all over the world. The concert will feature students of Brian Head, Scott Tennant, and William Kanengiser. Relax and avoid the traffic each Wednesday with a free performance by USC Thornton student musicians. A complimentary reception follows the concert.

Resident conductor Sharon Lavery leads the USC Thornton Symphony in a rousing program celebrating Bernstein at 100. The concert features Bernstein's Overture to Candide, Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, as well as selections from Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet, Suites 1 & 2. PROGRAM: Bernstein - Overture to Candide Bernstein – Symphonic Dances from West Side Story Prokofiev – Romeo and Juliet: Selections from Suites 1 & 2

Renowned violinist Pamela Frank and physical therapist Howard Nelson present a program exploring the relationship between physical and mechanical awareness and pain-free performance. The long-time collaborators begin a one-year appointment to the USC Thornton Strings faculty in the fall of 2018. This event will take place on the lower level of The Music Complex (TMC) in Room G156.

The Jazz Honors Combo, a select group of USC Thornton jazz musicians led by Jason Goldman, headlines this ongoing showcase of contemporary jazz at Carson Center.

Students of Thornton's Strings program present an evening of solo and chamber performances

Esteemed Taiwanese-American violinist Cho-Liang Lin, in a welcome return visit to USC, presents a masterclass for students of the USC Thornton Strings program.

Rod Gilfry, a member of the USC Thornton faculty and a celebrated operatic baritone, revels in contemporary vocal works from Bernstein to Aucoin, exploring a bit of jazz along the way. Joined by Thornton student and alumni musicians, Gilfry will perform excerpts from Matthew Aucoin's opera, Crossing, jazz arrangements of songs by Fauré and Debussy, songs of Leonard Bernstein, and selections from the Great American Songbook. Guest performers include pianist Peter Walsh (BM ’07, MM ’09, DMA ’14), jazz bassist Max Kraus (MM ’18), and senior jazz drummer Suraj Parthasarathy.

The USC Thornton Jazz Orchestra, led by music director Bob Mintzer, presents an evening of music from the 1940s featuring guest vocalist and Thornton faculty member, Sara Gazarek.

Donald Crockett leads the USC Thornton Edge new music group in a program of colorful and evocative music from Europe, including Derives 1 by Pierre Boulez, Lied in Fall by Hans Abrahamsen, and The Bagpiper's String Trio by Judith Weir.

Strings students perform virtuosic solo works, including Paganini caprices, Ernst caprices, Popper etudes, Piatti caprices, and other showpieces. Students showcase their talents in a friendly and social environment, followed by a reception.

H. Robert Reynolds and Sharon Lavery lead the USC Thornton Wind Ensemble in a radiant journey from the 19th century through today, featuring music by Dvořák, Mahler, Stravinsky, Joan Tower, and Thornton alumnus Zhou Tian. PROGRAM Joan Tower – Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman No. 2 Igor Stravinsky – Octet Gustav Mahler – Um Mitternacht Antonin Dvorak – Serenade, op. 44 Zhou Tian – Petals of Fire

Rotem Gilbert and the USC Thornton Baroque Sinfonia explore the musical flowers of 17th century Italy, featuring vocal works by Chiara Margherita Cozzolani, Barbara Strozzi, and Giovanni Legrenzi, along with virtuosic instrumental fireworks. This event is co-produced with the USC-Huntington Early Modern Studies Institute.