For generations, many of America’s most beloved contemporary composers have developed and honed their talents at USC as students and faculty of the USC Thornton Composition program.
In 2002, several USC Thornton student ensembles performed at the historic Orpheum Theatre in Downtown Los Angeles. The concerts were publicized in a September edition of the Daily Trojan.
As one of the oldest performance ensembles on campus, the USC Thornton Chamber Singers have remained a constant presence at the school since first forming in 1939.
In the early 20th century, a wealth of influential composers and musicians fled war-torn Europe for the United States – and many of them eventually arrived in Los Angeles to teach at USC, including renowned cellist Gregor Piatigorsky.
Since opening its doors in 1884, the USC Thornton School of Music has been the home of countless student performance ensembles, allowing USC the opportunity to gain real-world performance experience in a professional, yet supportive setting.
Gwendolyn Koldofsky, distinguished professor emerita at the USC Thornton School of Music, founded the school’s Department of Keyboard Collaborative Arts and both designed and established the world’s first degree-granting program in accompanying.
In this photograph from 1888, female piano students at the USC School of Music pose on the steps of Widney Hall — USC’s home to music classes through the 1970s.
The USC Thornton Symphony is one of the school’s oldest performance ensembles, and has produced some of the finest orchestral musicians in the world.
Dedicated in 1880, Widney Hall housed the USC School of Music for almost half of its history.
This tribute film traces Eleonore’s remarkable life as a performer, sister, and teacher, with interviews from former students and colleagues including Midori Goto, Lynn Harrell, Daniel Pollack, Alice Schoenfeld, and others.
In honor of the upcoming Alice & Eleonore Schoenfeld International String Competition, we’re sharing this 1950s photo of the beloved USC Thornton professors.
Congratulations to the USC Thornton Class of 2014! See how USC celebrated Commencement at the turn of the 20th century.
The University of Southern California Concert Band was led by Clarence Sawhill beginning in 1947, when Sawhill was named Director of Bands at USC.
Even though this advertisement for the University of Southern California School of Music is from 1908, it doesn’t sound too far off from the world-class education and incredible faculty USC Thornton offers in 2014!
Founded over a century ago, the USC Thornton Symphony is one of the school’s oldest student performance ensembles.
The influential choral conductor known for his work with the Los Angeles Master Chorale passed away on Thursday, April 3. Services will be held in Los Angeles this weekend.
USC Thornton’s 1953 production of “Volpone” was the second time a world premiere had been staged by the school.
The celebrated conductor will return to his alma mater as Judge Widney Professor of Music in Fall 2015.
There’s so much University of Southern California and USC Thornton history in this photo featuring former faculty and celebrated musicians Jascha Heifetz (violin) and Gregor Piatigorsky (cello) from 1972. Perhaps you recognize current Keyboard Studies faculty Daniel Pollack at the piano!
Now in its 65th year, the USC Thornton Chamber Singers remains one of the oldest performing ensembles on campus. As the group prepares for a tour of Asia, we look back on their history.
Students at the USC College of Music mostly studied in the former music department building on 30th and Figueroa.
Take a look at the faculty directory from the former Clark House building in 1974!
In the early days of the program, music students could major in either piano or voice.
The USC Thornton Wind Ensemble will celebrate the rich history of USC student and faculty composers with an event titled “USC Composers Past and Present.”