University of Southern California

German guitarist Tilman Hoppstock, noted for his interpretations of Bach, presents a masterclass in classical guitar performance.

Students Alexander Zhu, piano and Xander Knecht, violin present a program of music by renowned Polish composer, Dr. Hanna Kulenty, who will also speak about and perform her own music during the concert. A leading gure on the contemporary music scene, Dr. Kulenty is a laureate of the UNESCO International Rostrum of Composers and her works are championed by such ensembles as the Kronos Quartet, among others. Skip the traffic and enjoy a free concert of music by USC Thornton students. A free reception follows the performance.

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.

U.S. Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera, California Poet Laureate and Arts Leadership faculty member Dana Gioia, and Los Angeles Poet Laureate Robin Coste Lewis come together on the Bovard stage for a reading and discussion about poetry and the role of place—in particular, the many places of California—in their creative work. The son of farmworkers, Herrera spent his early years living from crop to crop in California’s San Joaquin and Salinas valleys, went to high school in San Diego, attended college at UCLA during the Chicano movement, and now lives in Fresno, California. Dana Gioia grew up in Hawthorne, California, and spent his college years at Stanford. And National Book Award winner Robin Coste Lewis is from Compton. In a rare joint event, these three highly decorated and deeply rooted California poets will reflect upon how poetry and the written word contribute to our shared yet varied sense of place and community. Presented by USC Visions and Voices: The Arts and Humanities Initiative.

Karen Dreyfus, director of chamber music at Thornton, leads faculty and students of the Division of Classical Performance and Composition in a program of French chamber music, featuring the Poulenc Trio, Saint-Saens Septet, and Franck Piano Quintet. Faculty performers include Bernadene Blaha, Glenn Dicterow, Kevin Fitz-Gerald, Ben Hong, Thomas Hooten, Bing Wang, and Michele Zukovsky. They will be joined by Thornton students Lieza Hansen, Coleman Itkoff, Mann-Wen Lo, Sam Shukan, Justin Woo, and more.

Students from Thornton's jazz programs showcase contemporary jazz works at Carson Center. Please note that, due to the closure of Ground Zero Performance Café, this event has been relocated to Carson Center (CTV).

Soprano Ana Maria Martinez, currently appearing in LA Opera's production of Carmen, presents a masterclass for Thornton Vocal Arts majors. Martinez enjoys an international performing career that spans the world's most important opera houses and concert halls.

Students Alin Melik-Adamyan, piano, and Coleman Itzko, cello, bring their award- winning duo back to Music@RushHour to present a program of all gay composers. Included in the program will be works from Ethel Smyth, Benjamin Britten, Liebermann, and Tchaikovsky. Skip the traffic and enjoy a free concert of music by USC Thornton students. A free reception follows the performance.

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

Donald Crockett leads Thornton Edge, Thornton’s new music group, in a program featuring recent music for voice and ensemble, including works by David Lang and Thornton student composer and vocalist, Tamzin Elliott.

The USC Thornton Jazz Orchestra, led by music director Bob Mintzer, presents an evening of standards and original compositions as part of an ongoing series of contemporary jazz. Please note that, due to the closure of Ground Zero Performance Café, this event has been relocated to Carson Center (CTV).

H. Robert Reynolds and Sharon Lavery lead the USC Thornton Wind Ensemble in a performance featuring A Glimpse of the River by Kenny Regan, co-winner of the New Music For Wind Ensemble Contest. The evening also includes Dzubay’s Fanfare, Verne Reynolds’ Scenes, Strauss’ Serenade, Op.7, and Percy Grainger’s Lincolnshire Posy.