Vincent Ho appointed music advisor for the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra
USC Thornton Composition alumnus Vincent Ho (DMA ’05) has been named music advisor for the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. As the advisor, he will consult with members of the orchestra’s planning team to discuss the new music repertoire. Paul Dornian, President and CEO of the of the orchestra, noted that “Vincent is a very well-known Canadian… Continue reading Vincent Ho appointed music advisor for the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra
Alumni Micah Wright and Jason Lo to compete at MTNA
USC Thornton alumni Micah Wright (DMA ’15, clarinet) and Jason Lo (MM ’12, DMA ’16, piano) recently won the Music Teachers National Association Young Artist Woodwind State Competition. This month, they will perform in the Regional Competition in Honolulu, Hawaii. Outside of the competition, Wright currently performs with Trio Brillante and the Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra.… Continue reading Alumni Micah Wright and Jason Lo to compete at MTNA
David Allen Moore featured on “Contrabass Conversations” podcast
Bassist and USC Thornton Strings faculty member David Allen Moore was recently featured on the Contrabass Conversations podcast, hosted by musician Jason Heath. Moore was a guest on the podcast in 2009 and returned to the series by popular demand. Heath led Moore in a conversation about the creative process of practicing, reveling in successes,… Continue reading David Allen Moore featured on “Contrabass Conversations” podcast
Grant Gershon to be honored at 84th USC Alumni Awards
On April 22, 2017, the USC Alumni Association will honor seven distinguished alumni, including conductor and USC Thornton Board of Councilors member Grant Gershon (’85, piano), at the 84th annual Alumni Awards. Gershon is Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Master Chorale, Resident Conductor of the Los Angeles Opera, and has emerged as one of… Continue reading Grant Gershon to be honored at 84th USC Alumni Awards
Midori Goto leads string quartet outreach tour to Nepal
Throughout the latter half of December, Midori Goto, Jascha Heifetz Chair in Violin at USC Thornton, will be bringing the gift of music to the people of Nepal. Touring the country as part of the International Community Engagement Program (ICEP), an offshoot of Midori’s nonprofit MUSIC SHARING organization, the violinist will lead a string quartet… Continue reading Midori Goto leads string quartet outreach tour to Nepal
Student Shou Ping Liu selected for conducting master class in Denmark
Shou Ping Liu, a doctoral candidate in the USC Thornton Choral & Sacred Music program has been selected to participate in the Nordic Master Class in Instrumental Conducting in Sønderborg, Denmark, this January. Liu will be the only participant from an American school. At the conclusion of the masterclass, which will be led by professor… Continue reading Student Shou Ping Liu selected for conducting master class in Denmark
Drew Mikuška wins ASCAP Screen Scoring scholarship
Drew Mikuška (BM ’14, composition), a graduate student in the USC Thornton Screen Scoring program, was recently honored by the American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers (ASCAP) Foundation with the Betty Rose Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded annually to an exceptional Screen Scoring student who will receive intensive mentorship sessions with a prominent screen… Continue reading Drew Mikuška wins ASCAP Screen Scoring scholarship
Calder Quartet takes on notorious Morton Feldman work
The Calder Quartet, which includes USC Thornton alumni Benjamin Jacobson (BM’01, MM’07, violin), Andrew Bulbrook (BM ’02, violin), Jonathan Moerschel (BM ’01, MM ’03, viola) and Eric Byers (BM ’03, cello), recently performed Morton Feldman’s notorious String Quartet No. 2 at the Met Cloisters museum in New York City. The piece is five hours in… Continue reading Calder Quartet takes on notorious Morton Feldman work
Bill Biersach receives award for SH[eye]N band
Faculty member Bill Biersach of the USC Thornton Composition department has received a Silver Medal from the Global Music Awards for his improvisational jam band, SH[eye]N. The band, which includes Biersach on Chapman Stick and Ralph Loynachan on percussion, won distinction for “virtuosic improvisation, album and creativity/originality” for its recent album, “Opus 10: Big Percolator.”
Nick Strimple receives German-American Friendship Award
The legacy of Choral & Sacred Music faculty member Nick Strimple was recently celebrated in a special 70th birthday concert at the Adat Ari El Synagogue. Over a dozen USC Thornton student and alumni musicians, as well as the Los Angeles Zimriyah Chorale and the Beverly Hills High School Minnesingers, performed Strimple’s choral works, including… Continue reading Nick Strimple receives German-American Friendship Award