Rod Gilfry receives warm reviews for “Eurydice”
USC Thornton Vocal Arts faculty member Rod Gilfry has been met with warm reviews for his performance as Eurydice’s father in LA Opera’s “Eurydice,” a new opera composed by Matthew Aucoin with playwright Sarah Ruhl. The Los Angeles Times calls Gilfry’s performance an “exceptional accomplishment” and describes his character as “the voice from the beyond… Continue reading Rod Gilfry receives warm reviews for “Eurydice”
Nina C. Young to premiere new work with New York Philharmonic
USC Thornton Composition faculty member Nina C. Young will premiere a new work with the New York Philharmonic on Feb. 5, with three additional performances through Feb. 11. Young’s piece, “Tread Softly,” was commissioned as part of the Philharmonic’s Project 19 initiative to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment with… Continue reading Nina C. Young to premiere new work with New York Philharmonic
Ben Hong performs tribute to Kobe Bryant at Lakers game
On Friday, Jan. 31, cellist and USC Thornton Strings faculty member Ben Hong performed at Staples Center in tribute to Kobe Bryant and the lives lost on Jan. 26. The tribute was part of a program to celebrate Bryant’s life preceding the Lakers’ first game since the legendary NBA player’s sudden death. Hong performed a… Continue reading Ben Hong performs tribute to Kobe Bryant at Lakers game
Daniel Weidlein produces debut album by vocal artist Julie Craig
USC Thornton Jazz Studies alum Daniel Weidlein (BM ’12) recently produced, arranged and orchestrated the debut album by vocal artist Julie Craig, From Here, released on Jan. 10. On the album, Craig, who is known for her roles in Broadway shows such as “Les Miserables” and “West Side Story,” performs classics and original music, backed… Continue reading Daniel Weidlein produces debut album by vocal artist Julie Craig
NEA grants to fund new and continued work by USC Thornton faculty and alumni
The latest round of grants awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts will fuel new and continued work by USC Thornton faculty and alumni. The LA Master Chorale, led by artistic director and USC Thornton Keyboard Studies alum Grant Gershon (BM ’85), was awarded funding for a series of contemporary choral music concerts, as… Continue reading NEA grants to fund new and continued work by USC Thornton faculty and alumni
Celka Ojakangas selected as resident composer for Mizzou International Composers Festival
Composition alum and current DMA candidate Celka Ojakangas (MM ’18) has been selected to appear as one of eight resident composers at the 2020 Mizzou International Composers Festival (MICF). Ojakangas was selected from among a record 346 entrants from 24 countries. As a resident composer, Ojakangas will give presentations about her work, take composition lessons… Continue reading Celka Ojakangas selected as resident composer for Mizzou International Composers Festival
Lynn Helding receives Lifetime Achievement Award for research in vocal pedagogy
USC Thornton Vocal Arts and Opera faculty member Lynn Helding has been recognized as a legendary figure in the field of voice pedagogy by the Contemporary Commercial Music (CCM) Vocal Pedagogy Institute at Shenandoah University, and has received the 2020 CCM Institute Lifetime Achievement Award. As this year’s recipient, she will be in residence at… Continue reading Lynn Helding receives Lifetime Achievement Award for research in vocal pedagogy
$1M gift ensures continued collaboration between USC Thornton, Kaufman School of Dance
The USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance has received an anonymous $1 million gift, which will be used specifically to support continued artistic collaboration with USC Thornton. The two schools already share a history of collaborative programming, such as the annual Choreographers & Composers concert, which pairs Thornton composer with Kaufman dancers to produce new… Continue reading $1M gift ensures continued collaboration between USC Thornton, Kaufman School of Dance
Ted Hearne to premiere new opera in partnership with Beth Morrison Projects
Beth Morrison Projects, Trinity Church Wall Street, and PROTOTYPE Festival have announced a multi-year partnership that will produce the premieres of five new operas over the next three seasons, including the 2022 premiere of “Slaying of Innocence,” a new opera composed by Ted Hearne, acclaimed composer, performer and USC Thornton Composition faculty member. The work… Continue reading Ted Hearne to premiere new opera in partnership with Beth Morrison Projects
Thomas Newman receives Oscar nomination for “1917” score
USC Thornton Board of Councilors member and award-winning composer Thomas Newman has been nominated for an Oscar in the category of “Music (Original Score)” for his score of the World War I film “1917”. Newman faced a unique challenge scoring “1917,” which was shot to appear as one continuous take, at an unrelenting pace. The… Continue reading Thomas Newman receives Oscar nomination for “1917” score