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
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