Victor Labenske commissioned by MTNA
USC Thornton alumnus Victor Labenske was commissioned by the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) to write a chamber work for intermediate level players. The work, “A Walk Through the Valley,” published by Alfred Music, will be premiered at the MTNA National Conference in Spokane, Wash. on March 17, 2019.
USC Thornton faculty and alumnus collaborate for world premiere with LACO
On March 23 and 24, Jeffrey Kahane, Professor of Keyboard Studies at USC Thornton, will return to Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra to conduct the world premiere of GRAMMY Award-winning composer and Thornton alumnus James Newton Howard’s cello concerto, When we were One. The performance, which features USC Thornton Strings faculty member Andrew Shulman on cello… Continue reading USC Thornton faculty and alumnus collaborate for world premiere with LACO
Thomas Hooten releases album celebrating John Williams
Thomas Hooten, a USC Thornton faculty member and the Principal Trumpet of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, has released the album, Hooten Plays Williams. Comprised of two pieces by the award-winning composer John Williams, Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra and Born on the Fourth of July, the album was funded through a successful Kickstarter campaign that… Continue reading Thomas Hooten releases album celebrating John Williams
Rod Gilfry earns positive press
The San Fransisco Classical Voice praised USC Thornton Vocal Arts faculty member Rod Gilfry as one of the most successful and sought-after baritones in the Los Angeles area. The article applauds his various portrayals of opera heroes and villains. It also interviews Gilfry on his appearance in the West Coast premiere of David Lang’s the… Continue reading Rod Gilfry earns positive press
Two Thornton Alumni recognized for Video Game Scoring
Two USC Thornton alumni ranked in the top five of Film Music Media‘s list of the best video game scores of 2018. Bear McCreary ’02 earned the second spot for his score for God of War while Austin Wintory ’07 came in fourth for The Banner Saga 3.
Ken Cazan discusses Bizet’s ‘Carmen’ at The Met in HD broadcast
Ken Cazan, Resident Stage Director of the USC Thornton Opera program, shared his experiences directing the opera, Carmen as part of a broadcast of The Met in HD: George Bizet’s ‘Carmen’ on February 2 at the Eileen Norris Cinema Theater. Cazan discusses the opera’s themes of destiny, love, freedom and female self-expression and his personal connection with… Continue reading Ken Cazan discusses Bizet’s ‘Carmen’ at The Met in HD broadcast
The Argus Quartet performs at Chico State
The Argus Quartet made its first appearance in Chico, Calif. on February 17th in the Zingg Recital Hall on the Chico State University campus. The quartet, which is comprised of USC Thornton alumni Clara Kim (DMA ’15, violin) and Jason Issokson (MM ’10, violin) along with violist Dana Kelley and cellist Jo Whang, performed a… Continue reading The Argus Quartet performs at Chico State
Sarah Rommel earns glowing review
In January, the Hans India Newspaper gave cellist and USC Thornton alumna Sarah Rommel (GRCT ’14, MM ’16) a glowing review for her performance with the ‘State of the Art’ (SOTA) Resonance Festival presented by British Airways at the Trident in India. In an interview with the newspaper, Rommel discussed her love for travel and… Continue reading Sarah Rommel earns glowing review
Kevin Fitz-Gerald and Andrew Shulman perform at the Broad’s “Beethoven, Bagels & Banter”
Kevin Fitz-Gerald, a USC Thornton Keyboard Studies faculty member, and strings faculty member Andrew Shulman performed as part of the Broad’s monthly “Beethoven, Bagels & Banter” performance series this past Sunday. The trio – comprised of Fitz-Gerald on piano, Shulman on cello and Robert Davidovici on violin – presented works by Haydn and Brahms.
Viola Masterclass with Kim Kashkashian featured on Violinist.com
Kim Kashkashian, GRAMMY Award-winning violist and a professor at the New England Conservatory of Music, was recently featured on Violinist.com for her viola masterclass with USC Thornton String students this past January. The article dives into Kashkashian’s effective rapport with the students and discusses specific technical and instructional devices she used in the masterclass.