Posts Tagged ‘Alumni’


Logo for USC Thornton School of Music.

Patrice Rushen awarded at USC Academic Honors Convocation

April 10, 2024

Patrice Rushen, a faculty member in the USC Thornton Popular Music program, was honored with the USC Associates Award for Artistic Expression at the Academic Honors Convocation on April 2. The annual event honors standout students and faculty among USC’s large community of scholars. In her opening remarks, President Carol Folt recognized Rushen for “giving… Continue reading Patrice Rushen awarded at USC Academic Honors Convocation


Photo of Nina Shekhar standing outside in sunlight.

Gustavo Dudamel to conduct Nina Shekhar’s New York premiere of “The Mother is Standing”

April 3, 2024

Gustavo Dudamel, music and artistic director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, will conduct USC Thornton Composition alumna Nina Shekhar’s The Mother is Standing at the New York Philharmonic’s Spring Gala on April 24. Dedicated to Shekhar’s mother, the piece examines the love between a mother and child across cultures and religions. This year’s Spring Gala… Continue reading Gustavo Dudamel to conduct Nina Shekhar’s New York premiere of “The Mother is Standing”


Composer Austin Wintory conducting an orchestra behind a podium on a sound stage.

Austin Wintory conducts 2024 Game Developers Conference performance in San Francisco

March 27, 2024

USC Thornton Composition program alumnus Austin Wintory (‘07) conducted a live instrumental performance at the 2024 Game Developers Conference on March 20 in San Francisco. Co-hosted by voice actor Troy Baker, the performance showcased influential and award-winning game scores throughout history, with a focus on this last year. The concert was presented in accompaniment with… Continue reading Austin Wintory conducts 2024 Game Developers Conference performance in San Francisco


Black and white square image of composer Ludwig Goranssen.

Ludwig Göransson wins 2024 BAFTA Award for “Oppenheimer” score

March 8, 2024

Ludwig Göransson (GCRT ’08) won a 2024 BAFTA Award in the Best Original Score category for his soundtrack to Oppenheimer, marking the composer’s first BAFTA Award. The awards ceremony was held on Feb. 18 at The Royal Festival Hall in London. Oppenheimer led with wins in seven categories.


Close up of piano strings in an open piano.

Alumni garner nominations in 2024 Society of Composers & Lyricists Awards

February 8, 2024

Several USC Thornton alumni have been nominated in the fifth annual Society of Composers & Lyricists (SCL) Awards, which celebrate excellence and innovation in music for visual media. Ludwig Göransson (GCRT ’08) was nominated for Outstanding Original Score for a Studio Film with Oppenheimer. Allyson Newman (GCRT ’05) received a nomination for Outstanding Original Song… Continue reading Alumni garner nominations in 2024 Society of Composers & Lyricists Awards


A music student conducting at a podium.

Screen Scoring alumni awarded in 2023 Children’s & Family Emmys

January 9, 2024

USC Thornton Screen Scoring program alumni Alex Nickson (’03), Bob Lydecker (’08, GCRT ’09) and Kevin Lax (’08, GCRT ’09) were awarded in the second annual Children’s & Family Emmy Awards on Dec. 16. They won in the category of Outstanding Music Direction and Composition for an Animated Program with the Netflix series, Kung Fu… Continue reading Screen Scoring alumni awarded in 2023 Children’s & Family Emmys


Black and white photo of Michael Tilson Thomas wearing a black turtleneck.

San Francisco to honor Michael Tilson Thomas with street name

November 28, 2023

San Francisco mayor London N. Breed has introduced legislation that would rename the Civic Center block near Davies Symphony Hall after celebrated conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, a Thornton alumnus and Judge Widney Professor at USC. The block between Franklin Street and Van Ness Avenue will be named “MTT Way” in honor of Thomas’s contributions to… Continue reading San Francisco to honor Michael Tilson Thomas with street name


A sunset cityscape of Los Angeles with palm trees.

Eight Thornton students and alumni win at 2023 Beverly Hills National Auditions

May 4, 2023

Eight USC Thornton students and alumni were announced as winners of the 2023 Beverly Hills National Auditions (BHNA). BHNA winners will receive performance opportunities at a series of over 40 concerts across Southern California, including Music in the Mansion Festival on the third week of April 2024. Of the 11 winners, eight are from USC… Continue reading Eight Thornton students and alumni win at 2023 Beverly Hills National Auditions


Photo of Anni Hochhalter holding at French horn.

Anni Hochhalter releases album with WindSync

July 28, 2022

French horn performance alumna and international chamber musician Anni Hochhalter (’05) released the album “All Worlds, All Times” with the wind quintet WindSync on the New York label Bright Shiny Things on April 29.


Photo of Eli Brueggemann smiling and wearing a hat.

Thornton alumni garner 2022 Emmy nominations

July 22, 2022

Three USC Thornton alumni have been recognized with 2022 Emmy nominations. Music director and Thornton Jazz Studies Department alumnus Eli Brueggemann (MM ’03) was nominated for Outstanding Music Direction for his work on “Saturday Night Live.” Executive producer and Thornton Music Industry program alumnus Bobby Campbell (’08) received a nomination for Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-recorded)… Continue reading Thornton alumni garner 2022 Emmy nominations