PICF ’16: Festival Media Roundup #2
The coverage in the last week has been both broad and positive of the Piatigorsky International Cello Festival. Arts Beat LA featured a lengthy preview of the festival. Los Angeles Magazine included two articles on their website: “You Should Be Listening to Cello Music in L.A., and Here’s Why” and “L.A. Will be Filled with… Continue reading PICF ’16: Festival Media Roundup #2
PICF ’16: Finding the body and soul of the cello
The Los Angeles Times reviewed the many events that occurred over the Festival’s opening weekend, from the three concerto concerts at Walt Disney Concert Hall to an opening night gala at USC’s Bovard Auditorium. Music critic Mark Swed wrote that “…Sunday, the first full day of the festival, a bevy of spectacular cellists used the… Continue reading PICF ’16: Finding the body and soul of the cello
Alumni, students take medals at Fischoff Chamber Music Competition
USC Thornton alumni and students fared well at the 43rd Annual Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition held May 6-8 at the University of Notre Dame. The WindSync wind ensemble, which includes alumni Anni Hochhalter (’09, horn) and Jack Marquardt (’09, clarinet), took the Gold Medal in the Senior Wind Division and will undertake a winner’s… Continue reading Alumni, students take medals at Fischoff Chamber Music Competition
Matthew Mason to premiere composition at San Antonio competition
Matthew Mason, a non-degreed alumnus of the USC Thornton Keyboard Studies program, was commissioned to compose a work for the San Antonio International Piano Competition, which will take place this June. Each of the five competition finalists will perform Mason’s commissioned piano work, the world premiere of which will take place at the quadrennial event.… Continue reading Matthew Mason to premiere composition at San Antonio competition
Jenny Wong named assistant conductor of the Los Angeles Master Chorale
Jenny Wong (MM ’13, choral), a DMA candidate in the USC Thornton Choral & Sacred Music program, has been named assistant conductor of the Los Angeles Master Chorale (LAMC). She has previously served as a conducting fellow for the Oregon Bach Festival, Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, the Distinguished Concerts International New York,… Continue reading Jenny Wong named assistant conductor of the Los Angeles Master Chorale
James Newton Howard to score new Rowling film
James Newton Howard, GRAMMY Award winning film composer and USC Thornton alumnus, has been selected to score the newest film in the Harry Potter franchise, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Howard’s previous credits include eight Academy Award nominations for work on films such as Defiance, Michael Clayton, My Best Friend’s Wedding, and One… Continue reading James Newton Howard to score new Rowling film
Alumnus Richard Bernstein receives Metropolitan Opera Service Award
Each year, the Metropolitan Opera convenes an event to honor those individuals who have reached milestones in their careers with the venerable New York City institution. Operatic bass and USC Thornton alumnus Richard Bernstein (’89, Vocal Arts) has completed his 20th year as a solo artist with company and was recognized at the Met Service… Continue reading Alumnus Richard Bernstein receives Metropolitan Opera Service Award
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to award Ralph Kirshbaum with honorary degree
Cellist Ralph Kirshbaum, chair of the USC Thornton Strings department and Gregor Piatigorsky Chair in Violoncello, will receive an Honorary Degree from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS), in recognition of his contributions to the arts. In its announcement of the award, the Conservatoire noted that Kirshbaum “is indisputably one of the most significant artists… Continue reading Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to award Ralph Kirshbaum with honorary degree
University of Pittsburgh to build museum honoring Marilyn Horne
The University of Pittsburgh’s Board of Trustees has approved the creation of a museum and exhibit center honoring opera legend and USC Thornton alumna Marilyn Horne. The mezzo-soprano was a recipient of the 1992 National Medal of Arts and the 1995 Kennedy Center Honors. She has also won four GRAMMY Awards for Best Opera Recording.… Continue reading University of Pittsburgh to build museum honoring Marilyn Horne
Keenan Reesor takes teaching position with Southern Virginia University
Pianist and USC Thornton Musicology PhD candidate Keenan Reesor (MM ’10, piano performance) has accepted a tenure track position as Assistant Professor of Music at Southern Virginia University, where he will begin teaching music history and piano in the fall. Reesor is a laureate of the Wideman and Virginia Waring International Piano Competitions and a… Continue reading Keenan Reesor takes teaching position with Southern Virginia University