USC Thornton alumni win Grammys on music’s big night
By Evan Calbi
USC Thornton School of Music alumni Ben Bram (BM ’11), Billy Childs (BM ’79), Scott Hoying and Cory Smythe (MM ’01) walked away with awards at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 8 at the Nokia Theater. From a cappella performances to chamber music collaborations, the awards showcased the diversity of talent among USC Thornton’s alumni. Childs has won multiple Grammys, but the others are first-time winners.
Bram, who graduated from the school’s Music Industry program, and Hoying, a former student in Popular Music, won for best arrangement, Instrumental or a cappella for Pentatonix’s “Daft Punk” from its album PTX, Vol. 2. The a cappella group formed in 2011 and gained prominence that year by winning the third season of NBC’s The Sing-Off.
Childs won for best arrangement, instruments and vocals for the song “New York Tendaberry” from the album Map to the Treasure: Reimagining Laura Nyro. In addition to last night’s award, Childs was also nominated for best jazz vocal album and best American roots performance. Childs, who studied composition at USC Thornton, previously won three Grammys for instrumental composition and arrangement.
Smythe, who studied piano performance with faculty member Stewart Gordon, won for best chamber music/small ensemble performance for the album In 27 Pieces: The Hilary Hahn Encores with violinist Hilary Hahn. Over a decade in the making, the album was the result of the celebrated violinist commissioning more than 24 composers to write short-form pieces for acoustic violin and piano.
GRAMMY Awards - Pentatonix Thanks Their Friends and Family
Pentatonix thanks their friends and family for helping them make it to the GRAMMYs. The 57th Annual GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony on Feb. 8 in Los Angeles.
Daft Punk - Pentatonix
Official Music Video for Pentatonix's Daft Punk medley, which won a Grammy on February 8, 2015.
"New York Tendaberry" Billy Childs, solo piano (Monterey Jazz Festival 2014)
Billy Child's performance of "New York Tandaberry" from the album, Map to the Treasure: Reimagining Laura Nyro, which won a Grammy for Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals. Monterey Jazz Festival Saturday, September 20, 2014
GRAMMY Awards - Hilary Hahn and Cory Smythe Offer Thanks At The GRAMMYs
Hilary Hahn and Cory Smythe reflect on the ten year process that led up to their Grammy win.
Max Richter - Mercy (H.Hahn, C.Smythe)
Live performance of "Mercy" by Max Richter, performed with Hilary Hahn on the violin and Cory Smythe on the piano.
