Michael Abels and Laura Karpman quoted in Variety
Composition alum Michael Abels (BM ’84) and Screen Scoring faculty member Laura Karpman were recently quoted in a Variety article about the increase in the diversity of the Emmy Awards’ music categories. Abels and Karpman are both award-winning composers and founders of organizations that work to support underrepresented composers in film and television. Abels, who… Continue reading Michael Abels and Laura Karpman quoted in Variety
Andrew Harrison to launch new online concert series
USC Thornton alum and saxophonist Andrew Harrison (DMA ’15) will launch a new online concert series, Concert Cast, on Tues., Sept. 1. An advocate for contemporary saxophone music, Harrison will perform with pianist Jason Lo (MM ’12, DMA ’16) in a program that features works by Bozza, Eiunaudi, Rachmaninoff, Ravel, and more. The event will… Continue reading Andrew Harrison to launch new online concert series
Gina Luciani to release original arrangement of Bizet’s “Carmen Fantasy”
USC Thornton alum and flutist Gina Luciani (MM ‘13) will release an arrangement of Georges Bizet’s “Carmen Fantasy” in September. A celebrated studio musician with an active following, Luciani’s version has been over 10 years in the making and features music for both flute and piano. Luciana was first introduced to “Carmen Fantasy” at the… Continue reading Gina Luciani to release original arrangement of Bizet’s “Carmen Fantasy”
The Darkroom partners with Billie Eilish’s family to fight food insecurity
The Darkroom, an Interscope Record imprint founded by Music Industry alum Justin Lubliner (BS ’12), has partnered with Billie Eilish’s mother Maggie Baird and other organizations to provide healthy meals to food insecure communities during the pandemic. The campaign was started by Baird’s organization Support + Feed, and has provided thousands of meals to families… Continue reading The Darkroom partners with Billie Eilish’s family to fight food insecurity
Grant Gershon shares advice for virtual choirs
In a recent KCET article, USC Thornton alum Grant Gershon (BM ‘85), artistic director of the Los Angeles Master Chorale (LAMC), shares advice and lessons learned while conducting choirs virtually during the pandemic. Choir directors like Gershon have transitioned to edited ensemble performances, with choir members recording their parts individually from home. The solution requires… Continue reading Grant Gershon shares advice for virtual choirs
Jensen McRae featured on KCRW
Popular Music alum Jensen McRae (BM ’19) was recently featured on KCRW’s In Residence series, with the outlet describing McRae as “unquestionably one of KCRW’s favorite new artists of 2020.” In her interview, McRae talks about the music she’s currently writing and why visibility is important as a Black artist in the folk-rock genre. “Black… Continue reading Jensen McRae featured on KCRW
Tish Oney publishes Peggy Lee biography for icon’s centennial
Jazz Studies alum Tish Oney (DMA ’07) celebrated the 100th birthday of music icon Peggy Lee with the publication of her new biography, “Peggy Lee: A Century of Song,” released in July. Oney’s book focuses on Lee’s artistic development, cultural impact, musicianship, and legacy as a songwriter. Oney’s exploration of Peggy Lee’s legacy began as… Continue reading Tish Oney publishes Peggy Lee biography for icon’s centennial
Sydney Adedamola announced as 2020/21 LA Phil Resident Fellow
The Los Angeles Philharmonic has announced that Sydney Adedamola (BM ’18), violinist and alum of the USC Thornton Strings program, is one of this season’s cohort of the Judith and Thomas L. Beckmen LA Phil Resident Fellows program. The program was founded in 2018 to build stronger career pathways for musicians historically underrepresented in today’s… Continue reading Sydney Adedamola announced as 2020/21 LA Phil Resident Fellow
Billy Childs discusses upcoming album in JazzTimes interview
USC Thornton alum and GRAMMY Award-nominated artist Billy Childs (BM ’79) is set to release a new album on Aug. 28, and reflects on its influences in a recent JazzTimes interview. Childs reminisces on the artists and projects that have inspired his music, such as his time playing at World Stage, a historic art and… Continue reading Billy Childs discusses upcoming album in JazzTimes interview
Grant Gershon pens KCET article about equity in the arts
USC Thornton alum Grant Gershon (BM ‘85), artistic director of the Los Angeles Master Chorale, recently penned an article for KCET about how artists and arts organizations can do more to make the arts accessible and equitable. “I believe that the single most important thing that arts organizations must do now is lift up a… Continue reading Grant Gershon pens KCET article about equity in the arts