Seonmi Lee joins faculty at Korea National University of Arts
Pianist and USC Thornton alumna Seonmi Lee (DMA ’19) has been appointed to the collaborative piano faculty at Korea National University of Arts, which is considered one of the most prominent Korean universities for pianists. In the role, Lee, who won her first international competition at age 10, will teach both collaboration and solo piano.… Continue reading Seonmi Lee joins faculty at Korea National University of Arts
Billy Childs to join Berklee as visiting scholar
USC Thornton alumnus and celebrated jazz musician Billy Childs ’79 will serve as a visiting scholar at Berklee College of Music for the 2019-20 academic year. During his stint in Boston, Childs, a five-time GRAMMY award recipient, will teach jazz composition classes, coach a student ensemble and offer master classes.
Calder Quartet releases new album
The Calder Quartet, comprised of USC Thornton alumni – violinists Benjamin Jacobson (’01, MM ’07) and Andrew Bulbrook (’02), violist Jonathan Moerschel (’01, MM ’03), and cellist Eric Byers (’03), has released a new album on Pentatone Records. Beethoven Hillborg includes recordings of Beethoven’s String Quartets No. 3 in D Major Op. 18 No. 3… Continue reading Calder Quartet releases new album
Bear McCreary and Ludwig Göransson earn acclaim for television themes
In a Rotten Tomatoes’ article ranking the 21 best TV theme songs of the past 21 years, two USC Thornton alumni made the list. Bear McCreary ’02 ranked fourth for his iconic theme to The Walking Dead, and Screen Scoring alumnus Ludwig Göransson’s (GC ’08) theme for the comedy Community was listed as sixteenth. In April, Göransson… Continue reading Bear McCreary and Ludwig Göransson earn acclaim for television themes
Billy Childs to headline festival in New Zealand
Billy Childs ’79, a GRAMMY Award-winning artist and USC Thornton alumnus, will headline the 24th annual New Zealand International Jazz and Blues Festival on June 1. He will perform with his quartet alongside Dayna Stephens on saxophone, bassist Alex Boneham and drummer Christian Euman. The five-day, 26-show festival is one of New Zealand’s longest-running music… Continue reading Billy Childs to headline festival in New Zealand
Andrew Harley appointed Director of Piano Accompanying and Chamber Music at Eastman
USC Thornton alumnus Andrew Harley (DMA ’97) recently was appointed the Director of Piano Accompanying and Chamber Music at Eastman School of Music. After earning degrees at Oxford University and the Royal Northern College of Music, Harley arrived at USC to study piano with USC Thornton Professor Emeritus John Perry. While on campus he also… Continue reading Andrew Harley appointed Director of Piano Accompanying and Chamber Music at Eastman
Saad Haddad chosen as New Young Concert Artist Composer-in-Residence
Last month, Young Concert Artists (YCA) announced USC Thornton Composition alumnus Saad Haddad ’14 as the 2019-2021 Young Concert Artist Composer-in-Residence. As the 12th composer to receive this honor, Haddad will receive management services, publicity and two Young Concert Artist commissions that will premiere at New York’s Merkin Concert Hall and the Kennedy Center in… Continue reading Saad Haddad chosen as New Young Concert Artist Composer-in-Residence
Victor Labenske commissioned by MTNA
USC Thornton alumnus Victor Labenske was commissioned by the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) to write a chamber work for intermediate level players. The work, “A Walk Through the Valley,” published by Alfred Music, will be premiered at the MTNA National Conference in Spokane, Wash. on March 17, 2019.
Shani Rose’s song in the finals of the 2019 Romanian National Eurovision Selection
Thornton alumna Shani Rose (’10, MM ’11) was featured in the finals of the 2019 Romanian National Eurovision selection, for her song “Right Now,” performed by artist Olivier Kaye. Co-written by herself, Ovi Jacobsen (who placed third in the 2010 International Eurovision), and Rasmus Bosse, “Right Now” was released by German label CAP-Sounds in February… Continue reading Shani Rose’s song in the finals of the 2019 Romanian National Eurovision Selection
USC Thornton faculty and alumnus collaborate for world premiere with LACO
On March 23 and 24, Jeffrey Kahane, Professor of Keyboard Studies at USC Thornton, will return to Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra to conduct the world premiere of GRAMMY Award-winning composer and Thornton alumnus James Newton Howard’s cello concerto, When we were One. The performance, which features USC Thornton Strings faculty member Andrew Shulman on cello… Continue reading USC Thornton faculty and alumnus collaborate for world premiere with LACO