![Photo of the Puerto Rico Symphony](https://music.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/PuertoRicoSymphony_USCThornton-150x150.jpg)
Angel Velez opens Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra’s 2021-2022 season
Thornton alum and conductor Angel Velez (MA ‘14) opened the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra’s 2021-2022 season on August 7 with a special “Hollywood Magic” concert that celebrated the magic of cinema. This musical presentation was a culmination of the summer session of the Los Angeles Film Directing Intensive Event (LAFCI), a workshop designed for students… Continue reading Angel Velez opens Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra’s 2021-2022 season
![Photo of Alexander Lloyd Blake with Kelly Clarkson](https://music.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/News2-150x150.jpg)
Alexander Lloyd Blake and David Morales talk new Tonality album on The Kelly Clarkson Show
Earlier this week, Thornton alumni Alexander Lloyd Blake (DMA ‘19), the artistic director of Tonality, and David Morales (MA ’20), a Tonality ensemble member, were interviewed on an episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show. Blake spoke to Kelly about the background of the group and how the 24-voice choir explores stories of social justice and other difficult topics… Continue reading Alexander Lloyd Blake and David Morales talk new Tonality album on The Kelly Clarkson Show
![Album cover for Agave Baroque](https://music.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Acis-AGAVE-ORIGINALS-RGB-3000px-150x150.jpeg)
Agave Baroque collaborates on “American Originals: A New World, A New Canon”
Agave Baroque, a string chamber music group featuring Thornton alumni Kevin Cooper (DMA ‘06) and William Skeen (MM ‘01), collaborated with countertenor Reginald Mobley on a new album. American Originals: A New World, A New Canon celebrates the overlooked works of American composers of color in an effort to rectify the racial imbalance that has… Continue reading Agave Baroque collaborates on “American Originals: A New World, A New Canon”
![Photo of piano keys](https://music.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Piano_Square_240-150x150.jpg)
Thornton students take home top honors at international piano competitions
Rixiang Huang and Barry Tan, DMA candidates in the Keyboard Studies program, each recently took home top honors at international piano competitions.
![Photo of Jaco Wong](https://music.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/News_JacoWong-150x150.jpg)
Jaco Wong releases choral work and premieres new commission
San Francisco-based composer Jaco Wong (MM ’16,) an alum of the Composition and Choral Music programs, recently released a sixteen-part choral work, “Psithaura,” with See-A-Dot Music Publishing.
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Thornton faculty member Thomas Hooten premieres trumpet concerto with LA Phil
Thomas Hooten, faculty member in the USC Thornton Winds & Percussion program and principal trumpet with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, performed the world premiere of Steven Mackey’s trumpet concerto, “Shivaree: Fantasy for Trumpet and Orchestra.”
![Photo of Nick Bentz](https://music.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/News_Nick-Bentz-150x150.jpg)
Composer Nick Bentz commissioned by Wigmore Hall
Composition alum Nick Bentz (MM ’20) was commissioned by London chamber music venue Wigmore Hall to write new music for the Lockdown Commissions Scheme, the largest in the hall’s history.
![Portrait of Antoinette Perry smiling](https://music.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/AntoinettePerry_240-150x150.jpg)
USC Thornton faculty, students and alumni featured at California Association of Professional Music Teachers State Conference
Antoinette Perry, a faculty member in the USC Thornton Keyboard Studies Program, was honored as the 2021 recipient of the California Association of Professional Music Teachers (CAPMT) Lifetime Achievement Award.
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Composition faculty member Frank Ticheli premieres new work with Pacific Symphony and collaborates with New York Choral Society
Frank Ticheli premieres new work with Pacific Symphony and collaborates with New York Choral Society.
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Las Vegas Philharmonic to premiere new piece by Juan Pablo Contreras
The Las Vegas Philharmonic will perform the world premiere of a new piece by USC Thornton Composition alum Juan Pablo Contreras.