Michael Abels interviewed by Jon Burlingame in Variety
USC Thornton Composition alumnus Michael Abels (BM ‘84) was interviewed in Variety about composers of color in the film industry by Thornton faculty member and music writer Jon Burlingame. Abels, one of the co-founders of the Composers Diversity Collective, spoke about the changes he has seen in Hollywood over the past years as race and… Continue reading Michael Abels interviewed by Jon Burlingame in Variety
Renée Elise Goldsberry to star in television comedy “Girls5Eva”
Jazz Studies alumna and Tony Award winner Renée Elise Goldsberry (MM ’97) will star in the upcoming Peacock musical comedy “Girls5Eva.” The series, which is being executive produced by Tina Fey, Robert Carlock and Meredith Scardino, follows a former one-hit-wonder girl group from the ’90s who reunite only to find that each member is in… Continue reading Renée Elise Goldsberry to star in television comedy “Girls5Eva”
Michael Tilson Thomas and Los Angeles Philharmonic win at 2021 GRAMMY Awards
The 63rd annual GRAMMY Awards, held virtually on Sunday, March 14, brought wins for faculty and alumni at USC Thornton. Celebrated conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, a Thornton alum and Judge Widney Professor at USC, won for Best Orchestral Performance for the San Francisco Symphony’s “Copland: Symphony No. 3.” And the many alumni and faculty who… Continue reading Michael Tilson Thomas and Los Angeles Philharmonic win at 2021 GRAMMY Awards
Morten Lauridsen named to Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center advisory board
Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Composition and Thornton alumnus Morten Lauridsen has been named as one of the Honorary Advisory Board Members of the Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center and will serve as a core member of the Honorary Board of Directors. Lauridsen is one of four prominent figures named to the new Board.… Continue reading Morten Lauridsen named to Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center advisory board
Celeste Butler and Raivyn Hearne compete on American Idol
Two artists from USC Thornton’s Popular Music program will compete on American Idol this season. Alum Celeste Butler (BM ‘19) and current student Raivyn Hearne both received the coveted golden ticket and will appear on the show’s 19th season, airing now. Butler was recently featured in a Daily Trojan article about her appearance on the… Continue reading Celeste Butler and Raivyn Hearne compete on American Idol
Gretchen Parlato releases new album, Flor
USC Thornton alum and jazz vocalist Gretchen Parlato (GCRT ’03) released a new album on March 5, titled Flor. The album features several special guests, including fellow Thornton alum, pianist Gerald Clayton (BM ‘07). Parlato was interviewed by DownBeat Magazine about her journey from her 2014 album, Live In NYC, which earned her a GRAMMY… Continue reading Gretchen Parlato releases new album, Flor
Alumni duo Karmina releases new album
Karmina, a pop duo featuring Music Industry program alumni Kelly Adams (BM ‘05) and sister Kamille Rudisill (BM ’05), recently released a new album produced by film composer John Powell called Queens of Heart. The duo says the four-part cinematic pop album is a tribute to women, paying homage “to powerful women who have elevated… Continue reading Alumni duo Karmina releases new album
Ludwig Göransson discusses “Tenet” score in Variety
Ludwig Göransson (GCRT ‘08), an alum of the USC Thornton Screen Scoring program, was interviewed by Variety about his score for Christopher Nolan’s recent film, “Tenet.” In the article, Göransson discusses the details of his collaboration with Nolan, including how he was challenged to experiment with different sounds for the film’s otherworldly score. “So many… Continue reading Ludwig Göransson discusses “Tenet” score in Variety
Michael Tilson Thomas featured on PBS
Michael Tilson Thomas, a celebrated conductor, USC Thornton alum and current Judge Widney Professor of Music at USC, was recently featured in a video special on PBS about mentoring during the pandemic and working with the next generation of musicians. The special was a part of PBS NewsHour’s arts and culture series “CANVAS.” “All the… Continue reading Michael Tilson Thomas featured on PBS
Gina Luciani featured in Avid campaign
Gina Luciani (MM ‘13), a USC Thornton alum and flutist, was recently featured in a campaign for Avid, a company that supplies the tools and technology for creators and media enterprises to thrive in the digital media era. Luciani was featured in a video spotlight for Avid’s new “I Am Avid” initiative highlighting artists and… Continue reading Gina Luciani featured in Avid campaign