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
Andrew Norman named finalist for Pulitzer Prize for Music
USC Thornton Composition faculty member Andrew Norman (’02, MM ’04) was one of three finalists for the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for Music for his orchestral work Sustain. Sustain is a large-scale work for orchestra that was commissioned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic to launch its 100th anniversary season. The LA Phil premiered the piece on… Continue reading Andrew Norman named finalist for Pulitzer Prize for Music
Bear McCreary wins BAFTA Award
USC Thornton Screen Scoring alumnus Bear McCreary ‘02 recently won the 2019 British Academy Games Awards in the Music category for his score of “God of War.” This award is one of many accolades McCreary has earned for this project. He previously was nominated for a Game Audio Network Guild award and won the second… Continue reading Bear McCreary wins BAFTA Award
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
California Jazz Foundation honors Patrice Rushen
Patrice Rushen, chair of USC Thornton’s Popular Music Program, was awarded the prestigious Nica award by the California Jazz Foundation (CJF) earlier this month. The CJF bestows the honor to musicians who exemplify the legacy of Baroness Ponnica de Koenigswarter, a British-born jazz patron and writer who was a leader of bebop music. Robert Cutietta,… Continue reading California Jazz Foundation honors Patrice Rushen
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
Michael Abels lauded for score of Jordan Peele’s ‘Us’
Composer and USC Thornton alumnus Michael Abels ’84 was recently profiled on NPR for his score of Jordan Peele’s new horror movie, Us. NPR praises Abel for balancing terror with empathy, and Peele claims it is Abels’ heart that makes him a great horror scorer. Abels and Peele first collaborated on the Oscar-winning 2017 film Get… Continue reading Michael Abels lauded for score of Jordan Peele’s ‘Us’
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
Patrice Rushen interviewed by Reverb
Reverb recently featured Patrice Rushen, Chair of the Popular Music program, in an article titled, “Mastery Over Marketing: An Interview With Patrice Rushen.” In this article, the pop music icon and Thornton faculty member discusses her love for piano, her relationship to Quincy Jones, her compositional style and what it means to be a contemporary… Continue reading Patrice Rushen interviewed by Reverb
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.