Posts Tagged ‘Classical Division’


Student Jacob Broussard wins Mays Undergraduate Fellowship

April 27, 2016

USC Thornton Choral & Sacred Music undergraduate Jacob Broussard (BA ’18, choral music) is the recipient of a Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship. The program is the centerpiece of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation’s effort to increase diversity in the faculties of colleges and universities by assisting promising undergraduates in their academic endeavors. The fellowship identifies… Continue reading Student Jacob Broussard wins Mays Undergraduate Fellowship


Houston Symphony premieres concerto by late composer, alumnus James Horner

April 25, 2016

The work of the late film composer and USC Thornton alumnus James Horner (BM ’74, composition) was honored by the Houston Symphony earlier this month. The Symphony, under conductor Michael Francis, presented the premiere of Horner’s last completed concert work, which was performed by the orchestra and four French horn soloists, two of whom were… Continue reading Houston Symphony premieres concerto by late composer, alumnus James Horner


Martin Chalifour

Violinist, faculty member Martin Chalifour receives strong reviews for LA Phil performance

April 21, 2016

Violinist and USC Thornton Strings faculty member Martin Chalifour performed as the Concertmaster for the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s March 31st “From Bach to Schubert” performance and received warm reviews from the Los Angeles Times. Chalifour was featured alongside violinist Nathan Cole during the Bach Concerto for Two Violins and a brief Sinfonia in D and… Continue reading Violinist, faculty member Martin Chalifour receives strong reviews for LA Phil performance


Remembering Brian Asawa

April 20, 2016

Brian Asawa, a celebrated countertenor and non-degreed alumnus, died on April 18. He was 49. Asawa’s international career was studded with “firsts” — he was the first countertenor to be named Grand Prize Winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, win Seattle Opera’s Artist of the Year Award, earn the Adler Fellowship at the… Continue reading Remembering Brian Asawa


Adam del Monte and Mak Grgić – Duo Deloro – receive strong tour review

April 14, 2016

USC Thornton Studio/Jazz Guitar faculty member Adam del Monte and Classical Guitar DMA candidate Mak Grgić are receiving strong reviews for the tour of their collaboration, Duo Deloro. Their performances include works from composers, such as Granados, Albeniz, Ginastera, as well as Argentinian tangos. In March, the duo was reviewed after a performance in Dallas… Continue reading Adam del Monte and Mak Grgić – Duo Deloro – receive strong tour review


Cristian Grases leads the Miami Children’s Chorus

April 13, 2016

USC Thornton Choral & Sacred Music faculty member Cristian Grases recently led the members of the Miami Children’s Chorus in a sing-along entitled “Sing Miami: Music of the Americas.” The April 9th community event was created to inspire a love of choral music for Miami-area children while celebrating the diverse backgrounds of people in the… Continue reading Cristian Grases leads the Miami Children’s Chorus


Christopher Gravis named Director of Choral Activities at CSULA

April 11, 2016

Christopher Gravis, a doctoral candidate in the USC Thornton Choral & Sacred Music program, has been named the Director of Choral Activities at California State University Los Angeles (CSULA). Gravis has gained an international reputation as a leading conductor of choral and orchestral works, recently debuting with the San Diego Symphony and leading week-long residencies… Continue reading Christopher Gravis named Director of Choral Activities at CSULA


Festival of Books

USC Thornton students and ensembles perform at the 2016 Festival of Books

April 7, 2016

This weekend, an estimated 150,000 book-lovers will descend on the USC campus for the annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, April 9 & 10. In addition to the hundreds of readings, signings, and literary festivities, the USC Stage at Hanh Plaza will present an exciting lineup of musicians and ensembles, including a number of… Continue reading USC Thornton students and ensembles perform at the 2016 Festival of Books


James Babor featured as a soloist with the LA Phil in London

April 6, 2016

Los Angeles Philharmonic (LA Phil) percussionist James Babor, also a member of the USC Thornton Winds & Percussion faculty, was recently featured as a soloist with the LA Phil during the orchestra’s 2016 international tour. On March 23rd at the Barbican performance venue in London, conductor Gustavo Dudamel led the orchestra in Oliver Messaien’s monumental,… Continue reading James Babor featured as a soloist with the LA Phil in London


Pianist Daniel Pollack profiled for his Lalo Schifrin collaboration

April 4, 2016

The Huffington Post recently profiled pianist Daniel Pollack of the USC Thornton Keyboard Studies faculty in reference to his February premiere of an original work by composer Lalo Schifrin. The piece, The Malambo Con Brio, is the culmination of a personal and professional collaboration between Pollack and Schifrin that began in 1980. Written specifically for… Continue reading Pianist Daniel Pollack profiled for his Lalo Schifrin collaboration