Patrice Rushen and Thornton alumni invited into the Academy
Patrice Rushen, chair of the Popular Music program at USC Thornton, along with three Thornton alumni—Chanda Dancy (GCRT ’04), Roger Neill (BM ’86), and Jermaine Stegall (GCRT ’04)—have been invited into the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Rushen’s classic song “Forget Me Nots” was sampled for Will Smith’s “Men in Black,” from the… Continue reading Patrice Rushen and Thornton alumni invited into the Academy
Thornton Alumni receive ASCAP 2020 Screen Music Awards
Multiple alumni of USC Thornton received awards and nominations for the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) 2020 Screen Music Awards, honoring the accomplishments of composers for film, television and video games from 2019. Bear McCreary (BM ’02) and Gordy Haab (GCRT ’02) received top honors in the Composers’ Choice categories. McCreary was… Continue reading Thornton Alumni receive ASCAP 2020 Screen Music Awards
Remi Wolf featured in LA Times
Remi Wolf (BM ’18), an alum of USC Thornton’s Popular Music program, was recently featured in the Los Angeles Times in an article highlighting her recent releases. After signing with Island Records earlier this year, Wolf released her first major label EP on June 24 called I’m Allergic to Dogs! The article highlights Wolf’s vocal… Continue reading Remi Wolf featured in LA Times
Garrett McQueen talks Trilloquy podcast and resisting the status quo in Rewire interview
Bassoonist, radio host and USC Thornton alum Garrett McQueen (MM ’12) discusses the origins and work behind his classical music podcast, Trilloquy, in a recent interview with Rewire. Hosted by McQueen and his collaborator, Scott Blankenship, the podcast takes on subjects not often addressed in conversations around classical music, such as the intersection of classical… Continue reading Garrett McQueen talks Trilloquy podcast and resisting the status quo in Rewire interview
Emily Cooley and Sturdivant Adams awarded 2020 Morton Gould Young Composer Awards
USC Thornton Composition alum Emily Cooley (MM ’14) and Screen Scoring alum Sturdivant Adams (MM ’19) have both been awarded the 2020 Morton Gould Young Composer Award. The national juried competition honors composers of original, classical concert music under the age of 30. Cooley received the award in recognition of her piece titled “Dissolve.” Adams… Continue reading Emily Cooley and Sturdivant Adams awarded 2020 Morton Gould Young Composer Awards
Thornton faculty and alumni join MusiCares relief benefit
USC Thornton faculty members and alumni are among the many artists and composers contributing their talents to “Soundtrack of Our Lives: A Celebration for the Film & TV Music Community,” an online benefit show for the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund. Screen Scoring alum Jongnic Bontemps (GCRT ’12), Composition alumni Austin Wintory (BM ’07) and Michael… Continue reading Thornton faculty and alumni join MusiCares relief benefit
Gerald Clayton signs with Blue Note Records, new live album to release in July
Four-time GRAMMY Award nominee and USC Thornton alum Gerald Clayton (BM ’07) signed with Blue Note Records earlier this year, and will release his first album with the label, Happening: Live at the Village Vanguard, on July 10. The album was recorded live at the Village Vanguard in New York City with a quintet of… Continue reading Gerald Clayton signs with Blue Note Records, new live album to release in July
Daedelus releases new album What Wands Won’t Break
Jazz Studies alum Alfred Darlington (BA ’00), known professionally as Daedelus, has released a new album from record label Dome of Doom. Titled What Wands Won’t Break, the album follows the electronic music artist’s 2019 release, The Bittereinders, and continues his streak of producing an album every year. What Wands Won’t Break draws influence from… Continue reading Daedelus releases new album What Wands Won’t Break
KUSC’s “Play On, California!” highlights virtual performances by Gina Luciani, USC Oriana Choir
KUSC highlighted two performances from the Live! From Somewhere video series in a recent installment of the daily broadcast and online feature “Play On, California!” The June 3 feature included highlights of the USC Oriana Choir’s virtual Live! From Somewhere performance of “La Mia Stella” and alum Gina Luciani’s performance of “Passacaille” from her home studio.… Continue reading KUSC’s “Play On, California!” highlights virtual performances by Gina Luciani, USC Oriana Choir
Ambrose Akinmusire to release new album from Blue Note Records
USC Thornton Jazz Studies alum Ambrose Akinmusire (MM ’07) releases his sixth album, on the tender spot of every calloused moment, on Friday, June 12 from Blue Note Records. The album’s 11 new original compositions are met with warm reviews from NPR Music and PostGenre. In a recent preview, NPR Music traces the album and… Continue reading Ambrose Akinmusire to release new album from Blue Note Records