Judith Farmer releases new album of chamber music for bassoon
Winds & Percussion faculty member Judith Farmer has released a new album of chamber music for bassoon, Judith Farmer Plays Favorites. The album includes performances by Strings faculty member Andrew Shulman and alum Vicki Ray (DMA ’88), as well as a recording of a piece by alum composer Gernot Wolfgang (GCRT ’94). The album is… Continue reading Judith Farmer releases new album of chamber music for bassoon
Marilyn Horne to receive Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award
USC Thornton alumna Marilyn Horne was recently announced as one of the Recording Academy’s 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award honorees. Horne is widely celebrated as one of the world’s most renowned opera singers. Her decades-spanning career has earned her four GRAMMY Awards and 15 nominations, as well as a 1992 National Medal of Arts and numerous… Continue reading Marilyn Horne to receive Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award
Jensen McRae’s “Wolves” named one of KCRW’s Best of 2020
In KCRW’s roundup of some of the best music of 2020, Popular Music alum Jensen McRae’s (BM ’19) 2020 release, “Wolves,” was named among the top 15 songs most loved by the station’s DJs. “Wolves” is one of a few songs McRae has released ahead of her first full length album, expected to release later… Continue reading Jensen McRae’s “Wolves” named one of KCRW’s Best of 2020
Jermaine Stegall featured on The Star Wars Show
Screen Scoring alum Jermaine Stegall (GCRT ’04) was interviewed in a special segment of “The Star Wars Show” about the composer’s work on “Our Star Wars Stories,” a digital series about the devoted fans of Star Wars. Stegall’s connection to the Star Wars universe began when he attended a composing lab at Skywalker Ranch, which… Continue reading Jermaine Stegall featured on The Star Wars Show
Austin Wintory PlayStation blog explores the making of “The Pathless”
USC Thornton Composition alum Austin Wintory (BM ‘07) wrote a blog for PlayStation in which he shares a behind-the-scenes look at the making of his score for the game “The Pathless.” The score fuses multiple musical traditions from around the world in what Wintory calls a “global jam band.” “The resulting scope was significantly beyond… Continue reading Austin Wintory PlayStation blog explores the making of “The Pathless”
Carlos Rafael Rivera discusses “Queen’s Gambit” score with American Songwriter
Composer and USC Thornton alum Carlos Rafael Rivera (MM ‘04, DMA ‘10) recently spoke in depth with American Songwriter about the process of scoring the hit Netflix series “The Queen’s Gambit.” Rivera describes in great detail the challenges and successes of scoring dramatic chess matches and the series’ dynamic main character. “Getting the musical tone… Continue reading Carlos Rafael Rivera discusses “Queen’s Gambit” score with American Songwriter
Thomas Kotcheff interviewed in The New York Times
Thomas Kotcheff (MM ‘12, DMA ‘19), an alum of USC Thornton’s Composition program, was interviewed in The New York Times about his recent album release, the first commercial recording of Frederic Rzewski’s Songs of Insurrection, which received glowing remarks from the composer himself. In the article, Kotcheff discusses his personal highlights from the recording, and… Continue reading Thomas Kotcheff interviewed in The New York Times
Lee Ritenour to release new album, Dreamcatcher, Dec. 4
GRAMMY Award-winning guitarist and USC Thornton alum Lee Ritenour recently announced the upcoming release of his first studio album in five years entitled Dreamcatcher. Dreamcatcher marks Ritenour’s first ever full-length solo guitar album and will be released on Dec. 4. Ritenour shared with GratefulWeb the significance of his first solo album, particularly during this year.… Continue reading Lee Ritenour to release new album, Dreamcatcher, Dec. 4
Tony Ybarra profiled by VC Reporter
Guitarist Tony Ybarra (BM ‘02, MM ‘04), an alum of USC Thornton’s Studio Guitar program, was featured in an article by the VC Reporter. In the article, Ybarra shares about his work as a musician, his love of flamenco, and how he has continued to make music during the pandemic. In addition to performing livestreamed… Continue reading Tony Ybarra profiled by VC Reporter
Michael Abels interviewed by ScreenDaily on diversity in film scoring
USC Thornton alum and award-winning composer Michael Abels (BM ‘84) was interviewed by ScreenDaily along with “Joker” composer Hildur Gudnadottir about improving diversity in the film and television scoring industry. Abels shared how young people responding to the success of his work on “Get Out” prompted him to co-found the Composers Diversity Collective, an organization… Continue reading Michael Abels interviewed by ScreenDaily on diversity in film scoring