HOCKET interviewed by San Francisco Classical Voice
USC Thornton alumni Sarah Gibson (MM ‘10, DMA ‘15) and Thomas Kotcheff (MM ‘12, DMA ‘19), of piano duo HOCKET, were recently interviewed by San Francisco Classical Voice. The duo discusses the importance of art during this time, their upcoming work, and their celebrated commission series #What2020SoundsLike. “We wanted to bring us all together through… Continue reading HOCKET interviewed by San Francisco Classical Voice
Roger Neill discusses remote screen scoring with Variety
Roger Neill (BM ‘86), an alum of USC Thornton’s Composition program, was recently interviewed for Variety’s Songs for Screens column about his approach to scoring film and television projects remotely. In the interview, Neill discusses how he drew from his network of session musicians to create a virtual orchestra for the score of the HBO… Continue reading Roger Neill discusses remote screen scoring with Variety
Rick Schmunk and Daniel Weidlein quoted in article about remote music production
Rick Schmunk, chair of USC Thornton’s Music Technology Program, and Jazz Studies alum Daniel Weidlein (BM ‘12) offered their thoughts on music education and production during the pandemic in a recent article on MajoringinMusic.com. Schmunk says that for students of music production and technology, the skills they learn in the classroom give them a leg… Continue reading Rick Schmunk and Daniel Weidlein quoted in article about remote music production
Brian Robert Jones talks *NSYNC cover album with Lance Bass
Brian Robert Jones (BM ‘15), an alum of the USC Thornton Popular Music program, recently released No Strings Attached, an *NSYNC cover album celebrating the 20th anniversary of the band’s 2000 album of the same name. The album is filled with fresh takes on the original album’s iconic hits, and features appearances by some of… Continue reading Brian Robert Jones talks *NSYNC cover album with Lance Bass
Laura Karpman and Ludwig Göransson Win in 2020 Emmy Awards
USC Thornton’s celebrated Screen Scoring program had a good showing at the 2020 Emmy Awards on Sept. 20. Thornton faculty member Laura Karpman and alum Ludwig Göransson (GCRT ‘08) both won awards. Laura Karpman, a faculty member in the Screen Scoring program, won in the category of Outstanding Music Composition for a Documentary Series or… Continue reading Laura Karpman and Ludwig Göransson Win in 2020 Emmy Awards
Vimbayi Kaziboni appointed Artistic Advisor of Boston Lyric Opera
USC Thornton alum Vimbayi Kaziboni (BM ‘10) has been appointed to the newly created position of Artistic Advisor for the Boston Lyric Opera (BLO). In the position, Kaziboni will take a curatorial and leadership role in BLO, telling the Boston Globe that his goal is “to tell new stories and unheard stories.” One of the… Continue reading Vimbayi Kaziboni appointed Artistic Advisor of Boston Lyric Opera
Thornton artists awarded San Francisco Classical Voice Audience Choice Awards
Multiple USC Thornton artists and alumni-founded ensembles were awarded San Francisco Classical Voice’s Audience Choice Awards for the 2019-2020 season. This year was the first-ever Audience Choice Awards with a category dedicated to celebrating the vibrant classical music scene in Los Angeles. HOCKET, the piano duo of alumni Sarah Gibson (MM ‘10, DMA ‘15) and… Continue reading Thornton artists awarded San Francisco Classical Voice Audience Choice Awards
Rozzi Releases new single, “Best Friend Song”
USC Thornton Popular Music alumna Rozzi Crane (BM ’13), known professionally as Rozzi, released her new single “Best Friend Song” on August 14 with S-Curve Records. The song is a fun and lighthearted friendship anthem dedicated to her best friend Tatti. “Quarantine has made me realize how much I’ve taken friendship for granted. I hope… Continue reading Rozzi Releases new single, “Best Friend Song”
Jason Issokson and Yoshika Masuda join Rolston String Quartet
The Rolston String Quartet recently announced the addition of two USC Thornton alumni to the ensemble. Violinist Jason Issokson (DMA ’11), currently Second Violin with Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, and cellist Yoshika Masuda (GCRT ’12, DMA ’16), a founding member of the SAKURA Cello Quintet, join members Luri Lee and Hezekiah Leung in their new… Continue reading Jason Issokson and Yoshika Masuda join Rolston String Quartet
Ambrose Akinmusire and Gerald Clayton perform in NEA Jazz Masters ceremony
USC Thornton alumni Ambrose Akinmusire (MM ’07) and Gerald Clayton (BM ’07) performed in the virtual edition of this year’s National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters ceremony. The virtual concert on August 20 honored Dorthaan Kirk, Bobby McFerrin, Roscoe Mitchell and Reggie Workman with a packed lineup of performances and speakers. Pianist Clayton performs… Continue reading Ambrose Akinmusire and Gerald Clayton perform in NEA Jazz Masters ceremony