Trojan Family Magazine spotlights musicians – and the specialists who keep them healthy
The spring issue of USC’s Trojan Family Magazine includes a feature article exploring the special relationship between musicians and the medical specialists who help to keep them in top performing condition. The piece profiled two USC Thornton students – Popular Music junior Javen Smith and Vocal Arts alumnus Justin Fatu Su’esu’e (MM ’16) – and… Continue reading Trojan Family Magazine spotlights musicians – and the specialists who keep them healthy
Alumnus Saad Haddad receives CAPMT commission
Composer and alumnus Saad Haddad (BM ’14, composition) has received the Distinguished Composer of the Year Award from the California Association of Professional Music Teachers (CAPMT) and has been has commissioned by the organization to compose a new work for flute, viola and harp. The work will be premiered at the CAPMT State Conference in… Continue reading Alumnus Saad Haddad receives CAPMT commission
Choral alumnus Robert Istad receives CSUF’s top faculty award
Robert Istad (DMA ’06), an alumnus of the USC Thornton Choral & Sacred Music program, has received the 2016 Outstanding Professor Award for his work at the California State University, Fullerton (CSUF). In addition to his teaching responsibilities in the School of Music, Istad oversees several ensembles, including the CSUF University Singers, Concert Choir, Women’s… Continue reading Choral alumnus Robert Istad receives CSUF’s top faculty award
Organ student Weicheng Zhao takes AGO competition prizes
Weicheng Zhao (MM ’14), a doctoral candidate in the USC Thornton Organ Studies department, recently won both 3rd Place and the Audience Prize at the American Guild of Organists (AGO) National Young Artists Competition in Organ Performance (NYACOP). Zhao studies with Thornton faculty members Ladd Thomas and Cherry Rhodes. The NYACOP competition, which took place… Continue reading Organ student Weicheng Zhao takes AGO competition prizes
Thornton alumni receive orchestral and academic appointments
Four talented USC Thornton alumni have recently been selected for distinguished orchestral and academic positions throughout the region. Joe Morris (’12, clarinet) won principal clarinet in the Pacific Symphony, where he will performer under the direction of Carl St.Clair, who also serves as Artistic Leader and Principal Conductor of the USC Thornton Orchestras. The Las… Continue reading Thornton alumni receive orchestral and academic appointments
Alumna Renée Elise Goldsberry wins Tony for “Hamilton”
Renée Elise Goldsberry (MM ’97, jazz studies), singer, actress, and USC Thornton alumna, won a Tony Award for her performance as Angelica Schuyler Church in the Broadway musical, Hamilton. At the Sunday, June 12th award ceremony at New York City’s Beacon Theatre, Goldsberry delivered an emotional speech, thanking her supportive family and her fellow cast-members.… Continue reading Alumna Renée Elise Goldsberry wins Tony for “Hamilton”
Trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire on his Miles Davis film collaboration with Don Cheadle
For years, Oscar nominee Don Cheadle has been struggling to bring his biopic of legendary musician Miles Davis, Miles Ahead, which premiered in April, to the silver screen. As Cheadle strove to capture Davis’ “unorthodox journey,” he enlisted the help of trumpeter, USC Thornton alumnus, and former Jazz Studies faculty member, Ambrose Akinmusire (MM ’07,… Continue reading Trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire on his Miles Davis film collaboration with Don Cheadle
PICF ’16: “The New Yorker” reflects on the Piatigorsky International Cello Festival
Alex Ross, music critic for the New Yorker, has published a review of the Piatigorsky International Cello Festival in the magazine’s June 6/13 issue. Surveying the Festival’s programming in the context of both repertory and style, Ross highlighted soloists Yo-Yo Ma, Mischa Maisky, Sol Gabetta, Zuill Bailey, David Geringas, Thomas Demenga, Jean-Guihen Queyras, Colin Carr,… Continue reading PICF ’16: “The New Yorker” reflects on the Piatigorsky International Cello Festival
Matthew Mason to premiere composition at San Antonio competition
Matthew Mason, a non-degreed alumnus of the USC Thornton Keyboard Studies program, was commissioned to compose a work for the San Antonio International Piano Competition, which will take place this June. Each of the five competition finalists will perform Mason’s commissioned piano work, the world premiere of which will take place at the quadrennial event.… Continue reading Matthew Mason to premiere composition at San Antonio competition
Jenny Wong named assistant conductor of the Los Angeles Master Chorale
Jenny Wong (MM ’13, choral), a DMA candidate in the USC Thornton Choral & Sacred Music program, has been named assistant conductor of the Los Angeles Master Chorale (LAMC). She has previously served as a conducting fellow for the Oregon Bach Festival, Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, the Distinguished Concerts International New York,… Continue reading Jenny Wong named assistant conductor of the Los Angeles Master Chorale