Posts Tagged ‘Choral and Sacred Music’


Portrait of Dale Trumbore

Dale Trumbore shares virtual chorus experience in The Voice of OC

January 21, 2021

Dale Trumbore (MM ‘11), an alum of USC Thornton’s Composition program, was featured in The Voice of OC in an article about how the Orange County Women’s Chorus adapted its programming to offer unique online events. Trumbore was commissioned to compose a new piece, “What We Hand Over,” for the chorus’s holiday event, and shares… Continue reading Dale Trumbore shares virtual chorus experience in The Voice of OC


Portrait of Jerry Blackstone in suit and tie

Jerry Blackstone is artistic director of new documentary series about choral singing

January 13, 2021

Dr. Jerry Blackstone (DMA ‘86), GRAMMY Award-winner, USC Thornton alumnus, and former Artist in Residence with Thornton’s Choral & Sacred Music program, is the Artistic Director of the upcoming documentary series about choral singing in the U.S., “Choral Singing in America: Nurturing the Human Soul.” The series is being developed in response to the COVID-19… Continue reading Jerry Blackstone is artistic director of new documentary series about choral singing


Julia Tai in formal attire holding conducting baton

Julia Tai named Music Director of Missoula Symphony Orchestra and Chorale

November 4, 2020

USC Thornton alum Julia Tai (BM ’02, MM ’04) has been named the new Music Director of the Missoula Symphony Orchestra and Chorale. Tai also currently serves as the Music Director of Philharmonia Northwest and Co-Artistic Director of the Seattle Modern Orchestra. In an article from the Missoulian, Tai shared that she is looking forward… Continue reading Julia Tai named Music Director of Missoula Symphony Orchestra and Chorale


Jenny Wong pictured outdoors smiling to the camera

Jenny Wong named Associate Artistic Director of Los Angeles Master Chorale

October 27, 2020

Jenny Wong (MM ‘13, DMA ’17), an alum of USC Thornton’s Choral & Sacred Music program, has been appointed to the newly created role of Associate Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Master Chorale (LAMC). Wong first joined the ensemble as Assistant Conductor in 2016, and was named Associate Conductor in 2017. The Los Angeles… Continue reading Jenny Wong named Associate Artistic Director of Los Angeles Master Chorale


Format portrait of Jo-Michael Scheibe in concert attire

Jo-Michael Scheibe conducts Formosa Singers in Taipei

October 26, 2020

Jo-Michael Scheibe, a faculty member in USC Thornton’s Choral and Sacred Music program, conducted the Formosa Singers in Taipei in a concert in the National Concert Hall of Taiwan on October 8. Scheibe led the Formosa Singers, one of the oldest choral ensembles in Taiwan, in a program of Taiwanese folk music, including Taiwanese aboriginal… Continue reading Jo-Michael Scheibe conducts Formosa Singers in Taipei


Many musicians with string insruments stand together in a white room

Thornton artists awarded San Francisco Classical Voice Audience Choice Awards

September 17, 2020

Multiple USC Thornton artists and alumni-founded ensembles were awarded San Francisco Classical Voice’s Audience Choice Awards for the 2019-2020 season. This year was the first-ever Audience Choice Awards with a category dedicated to celebrating the vibrant classical music scene in Los Angeles. HOCKET, the piano duo of alumni Sarah Gibson (MM ‘10, DMA ‘15) and… Continue reading Thornton artists awarded San Francisco Classical Voice Audience Choice Awards


Grant Gershon photoraphed against blank backdrop

Grant Gershon shares advice for virtual choirs

August 24, 2020

In a recent KCET article, USC Thornton alum Grant Gershon (BM ‘85), artistic director of the Los Angeles Master Chorale (LAMC), shares advice and lessons learned while conducting choirs virtually during the pandemic. Choir directors like Gershon have transitioned to edited ensemble performances, with choir members recording their parts individually from home. The solution requires… Continue reading Grant Gershon shares advice for virtual choirs


portrait of Grant Gershon

Grant Gershon pens KCET article about equity in the arts

August 6, 2020

USC Thornton alum Grant Gershon (BM ‘85), artistic director of the Los Angeles Master Chorale, recently penned an article for KCET about how artists and arts organizations can do more to make the arts accessible and equitable. “I believe that the single most important thing that arts organizations must do now is lift up a… Continue reading Grant Gershon pens KCET article about equity in the arts


KUSC Classical

KUSC’s “Play On, California!” highlights virtual performances by Gina Luciani, USC Oriana Choir

June 5, 2020

KUSC highlighted two performances from the Live! From Somewhere video series in a recent installment of the daily broadcast and online feature “Play On, California!” The June 3 feature included highlights of the USC Oriana Choir’s virtual Live! From Somewhere performance of “La Mia Stella” and alum Gina Luciani’s performance of “Passacaille” from her home studio.… Continue reading KUSC’s “Play On, California!” highlights virtual performances by Gina Luciani, USC Oriana Choir


Rina Ritivoiu and Micah Bland publish articles in Choral Journal

April 23, 2020

Choral & Sacred Music alum Rina Ritivoiu (DMA ’19) and doctoral candidate Micah Bland have published articles in the latest issue of Choral Journal, the official publication of the American Choral Directors Association. Ritivoiu’s article, entitled “Choir as a Caretaker of Caregivers,” and Bland’s article, entitled “Mouthing the Text: The Advantages and Disadvantages,” can be… Continue reading Rina Ritivoiu and Micah Bland publish articles in Choral Journal