Moonchild makes NPR Tiny Desk debut
USC Thornton alumni trio Moonchild made their debut on NPR’s Tiny Desk series this week, performing two songs from their new album, Little Ghost, and one from their previous album, Voyager. With their unique blend of soul, jazz and R&B, the group pulled out all the stops for their set, bringing in additional percussion and… Continue reading Moonchild makes NPR Tiny Desk debut
King Princess performs for Cindi Lauper’s annual benefit show for LGBTQ homeless youth
Mikaela Straus, a non-degreed Popular Music alum who performs under the name King Princess, recently performed for Cindi Lauper’s annual benefit concert, Home for the Holidays, which supports LGBTQ homeless youth. Straus sang her hit single “Hit the Back” off of her debut album “Cheap Queen,” before joining a duet of Lauper’s “Time After Time”… Continue reading King Princess performs for Cindi Lauper’s annual benefit show for LGBTQ homeless youth
Katelyn Vahala wins first prize at Rosalyn Tureck International Bach Competition
Keyboard Studies alum and current graduate student Katelyn Vahala (BM ’18) has recently won first prize at the Rosalyn Tureck International Bach Competition, and also won the prize for best contemporary performance. The international competition is named for the late Rosalyn Tureck, an acclaimed pianist, teacher, conductor, scholar, and author, who was known for her… Continue reading Katelyn Vahala wins first prize at Rosalyn Tureck International Bach Competition
Morten Lauridsen and Grant Gershon discuss 25th anniversary of “O Magnem Mysterium” on KUSC
USC Thornton alum Grant Gershon (BM ’85) and Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Composition and Thornton alum Morten Lauridsen recently appeared on KUSC’s Arts Alive to discuss the Los Angeles Master Chorale’s 25th anniversary of Lauridsen’s “O Magnum Mysterium.” The Master Chorale premiered the iconic work, and will perform it on Sunday, Dec. 15 in celebration… Continue reading Morten Lauridsen and Grant Gershon discuss 25th anniversary of “O Magnem Mysterium” on KUSC
Austin Wintory interviews Bear McCreary about composing for video games
As a guest host of The Game Maker’s Notebook podcast from the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences, Composition alum Austin Wintory (BM ’07) recently interviewed fellow Trojan and video game composer, Screen Scoring alum Bear McCreary (BM ’02). Both composers are widely known for their award-winning video game scores, and even worked together on… Continue reading Austin Wintory interviews Bear McCreary about composing for video games
Alexander Lloyd Blake named one of 30 Professionals of the Year by Musical America
Choral & Sacred Music alum Alexander Lloyd Blake (DMA ’19) has been named as one of Musical America’s 30 Professionals of the Year. The annual report recognizes performing arts professionals who make significant contributions to the vitality of the performing arts world. Blake is recognized for his work as director of the choral group Tonality,… Continue reading Alexander Lloyd Blake named one of 30 Professionals of the Year by Musical America
Austin Wintory details artistic process behind “Journey” score in new video
Composition alum Austin Wintory (BM ’07) discusses the turbulent but rewarding creative process behind his score of the popular video game “Journey” in a recent video from Polygon. Wintory is an accomplished video game composer whose scores often earn their own fanbase. His score for “Journey” is no different. It debuted on the Billboard charts… Continue reading Austin Wintory details artistic process behind “Journey” score in new video
Angela Little wins AGSC Screen Music Award for Best Music for a Short Film
Screen Scoring alum Angela Little (MM ’19) won an AGSC Screen Music Award in the category of Best Music for a Short Film for her score of the short film “For the Girl in the Coffee Shop.” Little worked collaboratively with director Rebekah Jackson to create a score that expresses the nuances of the film’s… Continue reading Angela Little wins AGSC Screen Music Award for Best Music for a Short Film
John Storie performs on new album by Jeff Goldblum and Mildred Snitzer Orchestra
Studio Guitar alum John Storie (BM ‘06) performed and arranged music for the recently released album by Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra titled “I Shouldn’t Be Telling You This.” The album features guest artists Miley Cyrus, Fiona Apple, Inara George, Anna Calvi, Gina Saputo, Sharon Van Etten and Gregory Porter. The album is… Continue reading John Storie performs on new album by Jeff Goldblum and Mildred Snitzer Orchestra
King Princess to make SNL debut and open for Harry Styles on tour
Mikaela Straus, who performs under the name King Princess, will make her Saturday Night Live debut on Nov. 23 with host Will Ferrell. Straus is a non-degreed alum of the USC Thornton Popular Music program, and has become an emerging alt-pop sensation. Her band includes Popular Music alum Melody Ector (BM ’19) on keyboard. The… Continue reading King Princess to make SNL debut and open for Harry Styles on tour