Posts Tagged ‘Alumni’


Photo of Christian Kolo

Christian Kolo announced as 2019 Pete Carpenter Fellow

October 7, 2019

Thornton alumnus Christian Kolo (MM ’19, Screen Scoring) was recently announced as the winner of the 2019 Pete Carpenter Fellowship, a residency for aspiring film, television, and video game composers. Kolo is an award-winning composer, and was awarded the fellowship based on his composition, “Hold On!” The award includes a stipend for four to five… Continue reading Christian Kolo announced as 2019 Pete Carpenter Fellow


Photo of David Allen Moore with double bass

David Allen Moore releases book of double bass instruction

October 1, 2019

Thornton faculty member and alumnus David Allen Moore has published his first book, “Fractal Fingering: A scaleable concept of fingerboard geography for the Double Bass.” The book is founded on 10 years of scholarship and teaching and redefines the methods for fingerboard organization and double bass left-handed technique. The book has already been put on… Continue reading David Allen Moore releases book of double bass instruction


Photo of two vocal ensembles

Thornton alumni lead ensembles to top awards in choral performance

September 25, 2019

Ethan Sperry (MM ’98, DMA ’00) and Jason Saunders (MM ’14) were both awarded The American Prize in Choral Performance for their ensembles this year. Sperry led the Oregon Repertory Singers to a win in the American Prize’s community chorus division. The Oregon Repertory Singers are a nonprofit organization that frequently presents regional premieres and… Continue reading Thornton alumni lead ensembles to top awards in choral performance


Photo of Sarah Gibson on red backdrop

Sarah Gibson to join faculty at UCSB Department of Music

September 23, 2019

Thornton alumna Sarah Gibson (MM ’10, DMA ’15) will join the faculty at the UC Santa Barbara Department of Music and College of Creative Studies as Teaching Professor in Composition this fall. Gibson will be teaching courses in composition, music theory, orchestration and other performance-related courses. “Her background and support of new musical compositions, along… Continue reading Sarah Gibson to join faculty at UCSB Department of Music


Photo of four musicians holding string instruments

Argus Quartet joins residency program at Yellow Barn

September 19, 2019

The Argus Quartet has been invited to participate in a week-long residency program this September at Yellow Barn, an international center for chamber music, encouraging the discovery of music in the studio, classroom and concert hall. The quartet was founded by alum Clara Kim (DM ’15) with classmates from USC. Yellow Barn has welcomed back… Continue reading Argus Quartet joins residency program at Yellow Barn


Photo of Bear McCreary in studio, conducting

Bear McCreary offers insights into his scores on podcast The Fourth Wall

September 18, 2019

Bear McCreary (BM ‘02) was recently interviewed on The Fourth Wall, a podcast that aims to get a behind the scenes look at the film industry from industry professionals. McCreary, who is known for his diverse catalogue of work and innovative scores, offered insights into the process of scoring some of his well-known projects. About… Continue reading Bear McCreary offers insights into his scores on podcast The Fourth Wall


Black and white photo of alumnus Alfred Darlington

Daedelus to release new album, the Bittereinders, on Brainfeeder

September 18, 2019

USC Thornton Jazz Studies alumnus Alfred Darlington (’00), widely known as Daedelus, will release a new album on Sept. 20. The Bittereinders will close out his End of Empire musical trilogy, which also includes Righteous Fists of Harmony (2010) and The Light Brigade (2014). Like the previous installments of his trilogy, The Bittereinders is inspired… Continue reading Daedelus to release new album, the Bittereinders, on Brainfeeder


Photo of Connie Sheu with guitar

Connie Sheu leads new Suzuki Guitar program at Colburn’s Community School of Performing Arts

September 17, 2019

The Colburn Community School of Performing Arts has launched a new guitar program, directed by Thornton alumna Connie Sheu (DMA ’11), that seeks to make classical music and instruments more accessible to beginning students. The program is based in the Suzuki teaching method, founded by Japanese violinist Shinichi Suzuki. Sheu sees classical guitar as a… Continue reading Connie Sheu leads new Suzuki Guitar program at Colburn’s Community School of Performing Arts


Photo of Moonchild band members

Moonchild follows album release with national tour

September 16, 2019

Moonchild, a Los Angeles based neo-R&B triad, will set off on a national tour this fall for their recent album Little Ghost, which was released on Sept. 6. Jazz Studies alumni Amber Navran (’12), Max Bryk (’11) and Andris Mattson (’13) formed Moonchild in 2012 and have released several projects since. Moonchild will kick off… Continue reading Moonchild follows album release with national tour


Photo of Jaimie Pangan in studio, holding up score

Jaimie Pangan nominated for Hollywood Music in Media Award

September 12, 2019

USC Thornton Screen Scoring alum Jaimie Pangan received a Hollywood Music in Media award nomination for her song “Farewell” in the category of Contemporary Classical/Instrumental. The Hollywood Music in Media Academy honors original music in visual media from around the globe, with past winners including fellow Screen Scoring alum Ludwig Goransson (Black Panther), Max Richter… Continue reading Jaimie Pangan nominated for Hollywood Music in Media Award