Posts Tagged ‘Choral and Sacred Music’


Robert Istad named artistic director of Pacific Chorale

February 18, 2015

Choral and Sacred Music graduate, Robert Istad (DMA ’06) will become artistic director of the Pacific Chorale. Istad has served 10 years as assistant conductor under the current artistic director, John Alexander, who will retire in 2017. Istad currently holds the position as artistic director of the Long Beach Camerata Singers and the Long Beach… Continue reading Robert Istad named artistic director of Pacific Chorale


Photo of Tram Sparks

Tram Sparks

January 29, 2015

Tram Sparks (she/her) is Chair and Professor of Practice at the USC Thornton School of Music. Prior to her work in Los Angeles, Sparks was Associate Professor and Associate Director of Choral Activities at Temple University Boyer College of Music & Dance, where she taught from 1999-2009. Dr. Sparks taught graduate and undergraduate courses in… Continue reading Tram Sparks


The Los Angeles Times commends Grant Gershon and Morten Lauridsen in review of Music Center gala

December 9, 2014

The Los Angeles Times mentioned Thornton alum Grant Gershon (BM ’85), artistic director of the Los Angeles Master Chorale and resident Conductor of LA Opera, and USC Distinguished Professor Morten Lauridsen in a review of the Music Center’s 50th Anniversary Spectacular at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on Dec. 6. The Times mentioned one bright spot… Continue reading The Los Angeles Times commends Grant Gershon and Morten Lauridsen in review of Music Center gala


Choral artists stage flashmob holiday performance

December 3, 2014

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Cristian Grases

November 12, 2014

Cristian Grases joined the USC Thornton faculty in the Fall 2010 semester and is currently an associate professor of choral music and conductor of the USC Thornton Concert Choir. Born in Venezuela, he earned degrees from the Simón Bolívar University (MM) in Caracas, Venezuela, and the University of Miami (DMA). He has previously served as interim director… Continue reading Cristian Grases


Troy Quinn (DMA ’13) named featured conductor for Juneau Symphony’s Guest Conductor Concert Series

November 7, 2014

USC Thornton Choral and Sacred Music Program alumnus Troy Quinn (DMA ’13) was named the first featured conductor in the Juneau Symphony’s 2014-15 Guest Conductor Concert Series beginning this November. Lauded for his “energetic and riveting yet sensitive conducting,” Quinn’s program will feature the rare heard William Walton Suite from the 1944 Laurence Olivier film, Henry… Continue reading Troy Quinn (DMA ’13) named featured conductor for Juneau Symphony’s Guest Conductor Concert Series


Morten Lauridsen honored at “Shining Night Festival” in Toronto

October 29, 2014

USC Distinguished Professor of Composition and USC Thornton School of Music alumnus Morten Lauridsen was the subject of a recent day-long festival held at Yorkminster Park Baptist Church in Toronto, Canada. The Shining Night Festival, which took place on October 25, included a gala concert, a screening of the 2012 Lauridsen documentary Shining Night, and a one-on-one conversation with… Continue reading Morten Lauridsen honored at “Shining Night Festival” in Toronto


USC Thornton Chamber Singers featured on Chinese State Television

October 15, 2014

The USC Thornton Chamber Singers, one of the longest-running performance ensembles at the USC Thornton School of Music, was featured on Chinese State Television as a part of their trip to the 12th China International Choral Festival in Bejing during Summer 2014. In addition to being inclued in video coverage of the event, available to… Continue reading USC Thornton Chamber Singers featured on Chinese State Television


Royce Saltzman (DMA, ’64) to receive Robert Shaw Award at 2015 American Choral Directors Association National Conference

September 30, 2014

Royce Saltzman (DMA, ’64) will receive the Robert Shaw Award at the 2015 American Choral Directors Association National Conference. The annual award is given to a choral leader who has made exceptional contributions to the art of choral music, and is the most significant award to be given to any conductor in the profession. Saltzman… Continue reading Royce Saltzman (DMA, ’64) to receive Robert Shaw Award at 2015 American Choral Directors Association National Conference


USC Thornton Chamber Singers perform selections from Mid-Winter Songs by USC Distinguished Professor of Composition Morten Lauridsen

September 30, 2014

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