Strings students shine in competition
Students of the USC Thornton Strings department have shown excellent performance in recent competitions across the United States. Cellist Gabriel Martins, a student of Ralph Kirshbaum, won the concerto competition at the Aspen Music Festival and School last summer, performing Saint-Saëns’ Cello Concerto No. 1. Martins was also selected to perform the Hidemith Cello Concerto… Continue reading Strings students shine in competition
Daniel Pollack returns from an ambitious performance and teaching tour
Pianist and Keyboard Studies faculty member Daniel Pollack has returned to USC Thornton following a busy spring sabbatical and international recital tour, performing in Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, and Berlin. Pollack presented opening concerts at the Alion Baltic Festival in Tallinn, Estonia, and the Euro Music Festival and Academy in Halle, Germany, performing works by Chopin,… Continue reading Daniel Pollack returns from an ambitious performance and teaching tour
Bear McCreary chats with AXS about his career
USC Thornton Composition alumnus Bear McCreary (BM ’02) was interviewed by AXS about his recent projects and his plans for the future. The well-regarded film composer, who received USC Thornton’s 2016 Outstanding Alumnus Award, is currently scoring the final season of “Black Sails” and is looking forward to doing more concert performances in the next… Continue reading Bear McCreary chats with AXS about his career
Thornton takes center stage in new USC NCAA spot
Last week, the University of Southern California debuted its new 2016 institutional TV spot to national audiences during the NCAA football game between the USC Trojans and the University of Alabama. The 30-second spot, which will air throughout the athletic season, highlights the arts USC and features a number of USC Thornton student musicians. close… Continue reading Thornton takes center stage in new USC NCAA spot
William Kanengiser talks to “Classical Guitar” about recital preparation
Classical guitarist and USC Thornton faculty member William Kanengiser was recently interviewed by Classical Guitar magazine on the importance of achieving emotional expression rather than perfection when preparing a new piece of music. Guitarists Martha Masters and Stephen Robinson were also interviewed for the August 5th article in which the artists discussed their practice techniques… Continue reading William Kanengiser talks to “Classical Guitar” about recital preparation
Keyboard Studies major gets an early start at USC Thornton
This fall, 16-year-old Shelby Wong begins her studies as a USC Thornton Keyboard Studies major a year ahead of schedule, as a participant in USC’s highly-competitive Resident Honors Program. The Irvine native served as the concertmaster and first chair for the Orange County School of the Arts Symphony Orchestra, as well as the principal second… Continue reading Keyboard Studies major gets an early start at USC Thornton
Ainadamar
USC Thornton Opera, together with the USC Thornton Symphony and flamenco guitarist and faculty member Adam del Monte, presents Osvaldo Golijov’s Ainadamar. With a Spanish-language libretto by David Henry Hwang, Ainadamar (Arabic for “Fountain of Tears”) imagines the final hours of Spanish poet and playwright Federico García Lorca through the eyes of Catalan actress Margarita Xirgu.… Continue reading Ainadamar
LA Phil celebrates Martin Chalifour’s 20 years at the Hollywood Bowl
Martin Chalifour, principal concertmaster of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and USC Thornton Strings faculty member, celebrates his 20th season performing at the Hollywood Bowl with a concert on September 6th. Chalifour joins the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra for a program of favorites by Johann Strauss Jr., Richard Strauss, and composer-violinist Fritz Kreisler, under conductor Miguel Harth-Bedoya.… Continue reading LA Phil celebrates Martin Chalifour’s 20 years at the Hollywood Bowl
Rod Gilfry sings Don Alfonso in back-to-back European productions
Baritone Rod Gilfry, a member of USC Thornton’s Vocal Arts & Opera faculty, recently performed the role of Don Alfonso in back-to-back runs of Mozart’s Così fan tutte in the UK and France. The co-production, directed by Christophe Honoré and conducted by Louis Langrée and Jérémie Rhorer, was first presented at the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence in… Continue reading Rod Gilfry sings Don Alfonso in back-to-back European productions
Percussion alumni take positions with the LA Phil and beyond
USC Thornton’s Percussion program has proved to be a door-opener for alumni and current students alike. Alumnus Matthew Howard (BM ’12) will begin his new position as principal percussionist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic when the ensemble opens its 2016-17 season on September 27. Howard joins Thornton faculty members James Babor (percussion) and Joseph Pereira… Continue reading Percussion alumni take positions with the LA Phil and beyond