Choongwoo Steve Ko wins 2023 ACDA Composition Focus Prize
USC Thornton alumnus Choongwoo Steve Ko (MM ’16) has won the 2023 ACDA Composition Focus Prize for his Tenor/Bass Choir score, “A Thousand Winds.” The American Choral Directors Association describes this prize as “a new initiative structured to meet identified gaps in repertoire needs of ACDA members and their ensembles.” This year’s contest drew over… Continue reading Choongwoo Steve Ko wins 2023 ACDA Composition Focus Prize
Reclamation through Resistance, Rebirth through Reconciliation
USC Thornton celebrates Black History Month with a playlist on Spotify.
Laura Leigh Spillane appointed as visiting lecturer at Scripps College
USC Thornton choral music doctoral candidate Laura Leigh Spillane has been appointed visiting lecturer at Scripps College. Spillane will return to the The Joint Music Program of Claremont McKenna, Harvey Mudd, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges to conduct the Claremont Concert Choir and Claremont Treble Choir in Spring 2023.
Spring 2023 Live Events Preview
The spring 2023 semester holds a tremendous array of live programs on campus and in Los Angeles.
Jason King named dean of USC Thornton School of Music
Renowned music scholar and musician Jason King has been named dean of the USC Thornton School of Music, effective July 1st.
Heeseong Lee placed second in Fosco Corti International Competition for Choral Conductor
USC Thornton choral & sacred music program doctoral candidate and instrumental conducting and organ minor Heeseong Lee placed second at the Fosco Corti International Competition for Choral Conductor in Turin, Italy. The international competition, organized by the European Choral Association, took place from Oct. 21-23. A total of 18 finalists from 12 countries were admitted… Continue reading Heeseong Lee placed second in Fosco Corti International Competition for Choral Conductor
Alexander Lloyd Blake named Copland House Residency Award Recipient
USC Thornton choral & sacred music alumnus Alexander Lloyd Blake (DMA ‘19) received one of six residency awards at the 2022 Copland House Residency Awards. The announcement was made on Oct. 23. The Copland House Residency is a charter program of Aaron Copland’s National Historic Landmark home. 180 composers applied from 33 states, the District… Continue reading Alexander Lloyd Blake named Copland House Residency Award Recipient
Kyra Stahr to present at California All-State Music Education Conference
Thornton Department of Choral & Sacred Music master’s student Kyra Stahr (MM ‘23) has been selected to present in two sessions at the California All-State Music Education Conference February 15-19, 2023 in Fresno, California. The sessions are titled “Programming with Purpose: Repertoire to Support the Developing Secondary Choral Program” and “Bridging the Gap: Creating an… Continue reading Kyra Stahr to present at California All-State Music Education Conference
Rina Seo premiers composition at Carnegie Hall
USC Thornton Choral & Sacred Music program alumna Rina Seo (DMA ‘19) performed her Carnegie Hall debut as a composer, conductor and pianist in collaboration with the Elite Chorus on Oct. 8. She conducted her choral composition “Now” and the English premiere of “Death Will Be Vanquished.”
Laura Leigh Spillane promoted to conductor with the National Children’s Chorus
Third-year choral music doctoral student Laura Leigh Spillane has been promoted to conduct the Concerto Ensemble with the National Children’s Chorus. She was also recently named a part-time faculty member at Saddleback College, where she will serve as director of the Saddleback Chamber Singers.