USC Thornton Chamber Singers perform at Carnegie Hall
On June 3, the USC Thornton Chamber Singers joined the New England Symphonic Ensemble at Carnegie Hall for a performance of Fauré’s Requiem in D Minor, conducted by Choral & Sacred Music chair Tram Sparks. The Chamber Singers concluded their memorable trip to New York City with a post-concert dinner cruise along the Hudson River.… Continue reading USC Thornton Chamber Singers perform at Carnegie Hall
Koji Sakano wins first prize at Undergraduate Symposium for Scholarly and Creative Work
Koji Sakano (’23), a Choral and Sacred Music program alumnus, has won first prize in the Arts & Humanities category at the Undergraduate Symposium for Scholarly and Creative Work for his work on Ainu vocal music. Sakano collaborated with Christopher Hepburn, a postdoctoral fellow at USC Dornsife’s East Asian Studies Center, to produce a project… Continue reading Koji Sakano wins first prize at Undergraduate Symposium for Scholarly and Creative Work
USC Thornton choral DMA graduates receive new academic appointments
USC Thornton choral & sacred music program alumni Yejee Choi (DMA ‘15) and Shou Ping Liu (DMA ‘20) have received new academic appointments for the fall semester. Choi was appointed as associate professor of Choral Activities at Ehwa Women’s University in Seoul, South Korea. Liu was appointed as assistant professor and director of Choral Activities… Continue reading USC Thornton choral DMA graduates receive new academic appointments
Emily Sung
Emily Sung is a Chinese American conductor, scholar and teacher from Lawrenceville, New Jersey. Before her appointment at the USC Thornton School of Music, Sung previously served as the associate director of Choral Activities at Princeton University, the director of the Chamber Choir and Choral Society at the University of Pennsylvania, and a member of… Continue reading Emily Sung
In Memoriam: Royce Saltzman
Royce Saltzman, USC Thornton Choral & Sacred Music department alum (DMA ‘64), died on Monday, April 3. He was 94. Saltzman was known for his collaboration with legendary conductor Helmuth Rilling and their co-founding of the annual Oregon Bach Festival, one of the world’s premiere events for the music of J. S. Bach. He had… Continue reading In Memoriam: Royce Saltzman
Donald Brinegar Singers dedicate a concert to Morten Lauridsen
USC Thornton Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Composition Morten Lauridsen celebrated his 80th birthday on February 28, 2023. In honor of Lauridsen, the Donald Brinegar Singers and JPL Chorus performed a selection of his acclaimed music at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Pasadena, California. Led by conductor Donald Brinegar, “Morten Lauridsen at 80” featured pieces from… Continue reading Donald Brinegar Singers dedicate a concert to Morten Lauridsen
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
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.
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