The Yellowjackets release 25th album, Jackets XL
The Yellowjackets, an iconic GRAMMY Award-winning jazz quartet that includes three USC Thornton faculty members – saxophonist Bob Mintzer, keyboardist Russell Ferrante, and drummer Will Kennedy – have released their 25th album entitled Jackets XL. The album pairs the talents of the quartet with the WDR Big Band of Cologne, Germany, which Mintzer has led… Continue reading The Yellowjackets release 25th album, Jackets XL
James Babor to lead clinic at Percussive Arts Society Convention
James Babor, USC Thornton faculty and member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, will lead a clinic on snare drum technique at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 3:30 pm. PASIC is one of the largest drum and percussion events in the world, featuring concerts, clinics, panels and presentations given… Continue reading James Babor to lead clinic at Percussive Arts Society Convention
Billy Childs featured in DownBeat Magazine
USC Thornton alum and GRAMMY Award-winning composer and pianist Billy Childs (BM ‘79) was recently featured in a DownBeat Magazine article about how he embraces music outside of boundaries and genres. The article reflects on the influence the Los Angeles jazz and improvisational music scenes had on Childs’ “borderless concept of music,” particularly in his… Continue reading Billy Childs featured in DownBeat Magazine
Julia Tai named Music Director of Missoula Symphony Orchestra and Chorale
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
Ted Herne’s Farming awarded Pew Center for Arts & Heritage grant
The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage recently announced a $360,000 project grant for Farming, a forthcoming new work by Composition faculty member Ted Hearne produced with The Crossing chamber choir. The concert-length work will premiere in the summer of 2023 with a performance at Kings Oaks Farm, a sustainable farm located in Bucks County,… Continue reading Ted Herne’s Farming awarded Pew Center for Arts & Heritage grant
Peter Shin announced as 2020-2021 Sound Investment composer
Peter Shin (MM ’17), an alum of USC Thornton’s Composition program, was announced this summer as the newest Sound Investment Composer in the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra’s Sound Investment program, a commissioning club enabling supporters to sponsor the work of each season’s featured composer and follow the composer’s creative process from start to finish. Shin’s… Continue reading Peter Shin announced as 2020-2021 Sound Investment composer
Steven Vanhauwaert releases two new albums
Pianist Steven Vanhauwaert (MM ‘06, GCRT ‘08), an alum of the USC Thornton Keyboard Studies program, recently released two new albums, Paris <> Los Angeles: Milhaud, Mozart, Zeisl and Ferruccio Busoni: l’Énigme. Both albums are released by the independent French label Editions Hortus, with which Vanhauwaert has previously released multiple albums. Paris <> Los Angeles:… Continue reading Steven Vanhauwaert releases two new albums
Jenny Wong named Associate Artistic Director of Los Angeles Master Chorale
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
Alumna Elvia Puccinelli launches first international society for keyboard collaborative arts
USC Thornton alumna Elvia Puccinelli (MM ’91, DMA ’00) led the launch of the first international society for keyboard collaborative arts, the International Keyboard Collaborative Arts Society, as part of the fifth annual CollabFest conference on Oct. 15-17. Puccinelli, associate professor of music and coordinator of collaborative piano at the University of North Texas College of… Continue reading Alumna Elvia Puccinelli launches first international society for keyboard collaborative arts
Vivian Stover awarded 2020 Eileen Southern Travel Grant
Vivian Stover, an undergraduate student in the Vocal Arts & Opera program, was awarded the Eileen Southern Travel Grant by the American Musicology Society (AMS) in September. The grant is awarded annually to undergraduate and graduate students underrepresented in the field of musicology, and provides funds to support travel and lodging expenses for awardees to… Continue reading Vivian Stover awarded 2020 Eileen Southern Travel Grant