Popular Music alumnus thrives in the Coachella Valley music scene
After performing at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts festival in April, alumnus Will Sturgeon’s band, brightener, won the Tachevah Music Showcase in May. Sturgeon (BM ‘12) is a graduate of the USC Thornton program in Popular Music. In addition to performing, Sturgeon works with Coachella Valley youth as the Assistant Music Director for the… Continue reading Popular Music alumnus thrives in the Coachella Valley music scene
Thornton musicians sweep Frances Walton Competition in Seattle
Mezzo-soprano and USC Thornton Vocal Arts & Opera graduate student Lesley Baird (MM ’15) was a winner of the 2016 Frances Walton Competition in Seattle, where she was accompanied by pianist and Keyboard Collaborative Arts DMA candidate Jasper Jimenez (MM ’13, GCRT ’15). Since winning the competition in July, the duo has presented several area… Continue reading Thornton musicians sweep Frances Walton Competition in Seattle
Andrew Norman earns “Composer of the Year” distinction from Musical America
Andrew Norman (’02, MM ’04), a member of the USC Thornton Composition faculty, has been named Composer of the Year for 2017 by the Musical America organization, which characterized Norman’s compositional style as “a voice singularly his own.” Norman, who received a prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship last spring and was nominated for a 2016 GRAMMY Award,… Continue reading Andrew Norman earns “Composer of the Year” distinction from Musical America
Guitarist Colin Davin joins faculty at Baldwin Wallace Conservatory
USC Thornton Classical Guitar alumnus Colin Davin (BM ’09) has been appointed to the guitar faculty at the Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music in Ohio. Prior to this appointment, Davin taught and performed at the Aspen Music Festival as a teaching assistant to guitarist Sharon Isbin. As a performer, Davin has appeared at Carnegie Hall,… Continue reading Guitarist Colin Davin joins faculty at Baldwin Wallace Conservatory
Alumna Carrie Rexroat joins South Dakota Symphony
USC Thornton Winds & Percussion alumna Carrie Rexroat (MM ’15, horn) will be joining the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra as a second horn. The orchestra’s 2016-2017 season began October 8 under the direction of Delta David Gier. Before her most recent appointment, Rexroat performed in the Dearborn Symphony, the American Youth Symphony, and the Debut… Continue reading Alumna Carrie Rexroat joins South Dakota Symphony
Zhu, EDM artist and Thornton alum, to headline at the Shrine
USC Thornton alumnus Steven Zhu (BS ’11, music industry), known professionally as the electronic dance music artist Zhu, will headline at the Shrine Auditorium on October 12. As recently detailed by the Daily Trojan, Zhu performed at events on and around USC’s campus while still a student at Thornton before he took on his somewhat… Continue reading Zhu, EDM artist and Thornton alum, to headline at the Shrine
Cellist Marek Szpakiewicz appointed as Assistant Professor at APU
USC Thornton alumnus Marek Szpakiewicz (MM ’01, DMA ‘08) has been appointed as Assistant Professor of Cello Studies at Azusa Pacific University’s (APU) School of Music. Szpakiewicz has been teaching cello at APU since 2005 and is the Director of Chamber Music. Szpakiewicz’s students have performed as soloists with the APU Symphony Orchestra and have… Continue reading Cellist Marek Szpakiewicz appointed as Assistant Professor at APU
Alumna Julia Newmann’s “Bones Orchestral Suite” performed live
A work by Composition alumna Julia Newmann (BM ’03) was recently performed by a 55-piece orchestra as part of “The Women Who Score: Soundtracks Live.” A collaboration between Grand Performances and The Alliance for Women Film Composers, the event was a celebration of 21 film, television, and videogame scores by female composers. Newmann, who has… Continue reading Alumna Julia Newmann’s “Bones Orchestral Suite” performed live
Kaleidoscope 2016-17 season includes several Thornton premieres
The Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra has released plans for its 2016-17 season. Following an ambitious international call for scores, the ensemble will premiere works by USC Thornton alumni Saad Haddad (BM’14, composition), Patrick O’Malley (MM’15, composition), and Gernot Wolfgang (GCRT ’94, film scoring), as well as Thornton doctoral candidate, Julia Adolphe, among others. Currently in its… Continue reading Kaleidoscope 2016-17 season includes several Thornton premieres
Alum Toby Sherriff recognized for work on animated film
Composer and USC Thornton alumnus Toby Sherriff (GCRT ’15, scoring for motion pictures and television) recently received a SOCAN Foundation Award for his music for Charles Kenhao Mai’s animated film, Parkability. The SOCAN Foundation recognizes Canadian composers aged 30 years or younger for specific musical works in five categories of concert music. Sheriff took 3rd… Continue reading Alum Toby Sherriff recognized for work on animated film