Laura Leigh Spillane promoted to conductor with the National Children’s Chorus
Third-year choral music doctoral student Laura Leigh Spillane has been promoted to conduct the Concerto Ensemble with the National Children’s Chorus. She was also recently named a part-time faculty member at Saddleback College, where she will serve as director of the Saddleback Chamber Singers.
Martin Chalifour wins SFCV Audience choice award for “Best Instrumental Recital”
Los Angeles Philharmonic principal concertmaster and USC Thornton Strings Department faculty member Martin Chalifour won a SF Classical Voice Audience Choice Award in the Best Instrumental Recital category for A Chalifour Celebration at the LA Phil. This performance was held in February to commemorate Chalifour’s 25th year with the orchestra.
Rohan Chander wins the Gaudeamus Award 2022
Composer and USC Thornton Composition program alum Rohan Chander (MM ‘22) won the Gaudeamus Award, a prestigious, international award for young composers. The announcement was made at the Gaudeamus Festival in Utrecht, The Netherlands on Sept. 11. A composer and performer who performs as BAKUDI SCREAM, Chander was one of the five finalists selected from over 200… Continue reading Rohan Chander wins the Gaudeamus Award 2022
Seth Parker Woods featured in score to Ken Burns film “The U.S. And The Holocaust”
USC Thornton Strings Department faculty member and acclaimed cellist Seth Parker Woods is featured in the score of Ken Burns’ new documentary, “The U.S. and The Holocaust.” Woods performs on the track “Prayer (From Jewish Life, No. 1).” “The U.S. and The Holocaust” is a three-part, six-hour series that examines America’s response to one of… Continue reading Seth Parker Woods featured in score to Ken Burns film “The U.S. And The Holocaust”
David Riccobono named assistant principal timpani/section percussion with the LA Phil
By Katalina Garber Percussionist David Riccobono (MM ‘19) recently began a new position as the assistant principal timpani/section percussion with the LA Philharmonic. In this position, Riccobono plays in both the timpani and percussion sections, which makes him one of the busiest players in the orchestra. This marks the first time that the LA Philharmonic… Continue reading David Riccobono named assistant principal timpani/section percussion with the LA Phil
Darryl Taylor hosts international conference for African American Art Song Alliance 25th Anniversary Celebration
Darryl Taylor (MM ‘91, DMA ‘95), founder of the African American Art Song Alliance (AASA), hosts the AASA’s 25th Anniversary Celebration Conference October 13-16 at the Claire Trevor School of the Arts at the University of California, Irvine. The international conference will focus on African American contributions to classical music in two main areas: social… Continue reading Darryl Taylor hosts international conference for African American Art Song Alliance 25th Anniversary Celebration
Yu-Ting Peng wins Music Academy of the West competition
USC Thornton Keyboard Collaborative Arts program doctoral student Yu-Ting Peng won the Music Academy of the West’s Duo Competition this summer. Her classmate, Matthew Harikian, performed in the competition finals. Both students study with Kevin Fitz-Gerald, a professor in the Thornton Keyboard Studies and Keyboard Collaborative Arts programs.
Alan L. Smith releases song cycle featuring pianist Ryan MacEvoy McCullough
USC Thornton Professor, Chair of the Keyboard Studies Department and Director of Keyboard Collaborative Arts program Alan L. Smith has released the song cycle “Surfing The Thin Places.” Smith composed the music and words in remembrance of his mother, who passed away in April 2018. Commissioned by the Fall Island Vocal Arts Seminar, the song… Continue reading Alan L. Smith releases song cycle featuring pianist Ryan MacEvoy McCullough
JoAnn Turovsky featured on “The Legacy of John Williams” podcast
Celebrated harpist and USC Thornton Adjunct Professor JoAnn Turovsky was the focus of an L.A. Studio Legends episode of The Legacy of John Williams podcast on July 15. Turovsky can be heard playing the harp solos on the composer’s film scores including Angela’s Ashes, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, Munich and The Book Thief.
Chris Garwood launches online learning platform for violinists
Online classical music education company tonebase, founded by Thornton Classical Guitar program alumnus Chris Garwood (’15), recently launched a learning platform for violinists. The new platform features a curated library of pre-recorded lessons and courses taught by renowned violinists and pedagogues including USC Thornton Jascha Heifetz Chair in Violin Glenn Dicterow, Aleksey Igudesman, Shmuel Ashkenasi,… Continue reading Chris Garwood launches online learning platform for violinists