Morten Lauridsen receives 2018 Half Century Trojans Hall of Fame Award
On Tuesday, October 23rd, noted composer and USC Distinguished Professor Morten Lauridsen was one of six alumni to receive the Half Century Trojans Hall of Fame Award from the USC Alumni Association. The Hall of Fame awards are given each year to alumni who graduated 50+ years ago and exemplify the ideals of the Trojan… Continue reading Morten Lauridsen receives 2018 Half Century Trojans Hall of Fame Award
Cellist Marek Szpakiewicz tours Japan to support Fukushima earthquake victims
Cellist and USC Thornton alumnus Marek Szpakiewicz (DMA ’08), is currently undertaking a two-week performance tour of Japan to support children in the disaster-ravaged region of Fukushima, where an earthquake and tsunami set off a nuclear accident in 2011. Szpakiewicz, who serves as director of String Studies and Chamber Music at Azusa Pacific University, has… Continue reading Cellist Marek Szpakiewicz tours Japan to support Fukushima earthquake victims
Grant Gershon warmly reviewed for work with LA Master Chorale and LA Opera
USC Thornton alumnus Grant Gershon (’85, piano), artistic director of the Los Angeles Master Chorale, recently launched the ensemble’s 2018-19 season on September 22 with a performance of Shawn Kirchner’s Songs of Ascent, featuring baritone and faculty member, Rod Gilfry, and faculty harpist JoAnn Turovsky as soloists. Gershon is currently conducting the LA Opera’s production… Continue reading Grant Gershon warmly reviewed for work with LA Master Chorale and LA Opera
Four Thornton violinists join the Long Beach Symphony
The Long Beach Symphony recently welcomed four new violinists to its roster of musicians, all of whom are USC Thornton students or alumni. Chloe Chiu (GCRT ’15) joins the ensemble’s First Violin section, while YuEun Kim (GCRT ’15, ARTD ’17), Sakura Tsai (MM ’07, GCRT ’09, DMA ’13), and current Los Angeles Orchestra Fellow Sydney… Continue reading Four Thornton violinists join the Long Beach Symphony
Hank Mou appointed Associate Dean at New England Conservatory
Hank Mou (BM ’06, double bass), an alumnus of the USC Thornton Strings program, has been appointed Associate Dean for Artistic Administration at the New England Conservatory (NEC) in Boston, Massachusetts. Mou, who teaches double bass for the NEC’s Preparatory & Continuing Education program, also serves as managing director for the New York City-based East… Continue reading Hank Mou appointed Associate Dean at New England Conservatory
Gloria Cheng releases album in tribute to Steven Stucky
Pianist Gloria Cheng (DMA ’91), an alumna of the USC Thornton Keyboard Studies program, recently released an album in tribute to the late composer Steven Stucky, who passed away in 2016. Garlands for Steven Stucky features 24 short works by composers who knew Stucky, personally, including Thornton Composition chair Donald Crockett, a long-time friend of… Continue reading Gloria Cheng releases album in tribute to Steven Stucky
Composer Jaco Wong collaborates with animation artist
Composer and conductor Jaco Wong (MM ’16, Choral and Composition) was commissioned by animation artist Evan Tedlock to compose Psithaura, a ritualized experience inspiring reflection on our relationship to nature, for 16-part mixed chorus. The work was premiered in April, 2018, in an interactive installation exhibited at the USC Firehouse art gallery, then was later… Continue reading Composer Jaco Wong collaborates with animation artist
Jenny Wong conducts the LA Master Chorale on tour
Jenny Wong, an alumna of the USC Thornton Choral Music program and associate conductor of the Los Angeles Master Chorale (LAMC), was warmly reviewed for her conducting of Orlando di Lasso’s Lagrine di San Pietro at the Melbourne International Arts Festival in Australia. The Renaissance madrigal cycle, which the LAMC is currently touring in an… Continue reading Jenny Wong conducts the LA Master Chorale on tour
Sarah Gibson profiled by BMI
Composer and USC Thornton faculty member Sarah Gibson (MM ’10, DMA ’15) was recently interviewed on the BMI website about her start in the field, her new music piano duo, Hocket, and her diverse body of compositions, including those for toy piano. Gibson was recently named 2018-2019 Sound Investment Composer by Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra… Continue reading Sarah Gibson profiled by BMI
Three new albums celebrate the music of Morten Lauridsen
This Fall marks an exciting lineup of album releases and concerts celebrating the music of Morten Lauridsen (’66, MA’68, DMA’74), USC Thornton Distinguished Professor of Composition and National Medal of Arts recipient. In October, the Chamber Choir of Europe and I Virtuosi Italiani chamber orchestra will release an all-Lauridsen disc on the Deutsche Grammophon label,… Continue reading Three new albums celebrate the music of Morten Lauridsen