Alumnus Olivier Ochanine wins international conducting competiton
Conductor Olivier Ochanine (MM ’07, conducting), USC Thornton alumnus and music director of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, has received first prize at the 2015 Antal Doráti International Conducting Competition in Budapest. The prestigious competition, created in honor of the Hungarian-born conductor and composer who became an American citizen in 1947, was held in collaboration with… Continue reading Alumnus Olivier Ochanine wins international conducting competiton
Royce Saltzman receives Lifetime Achievement Award at World Choral Expo
USC Thornton alumnus Royce Saltzman (DMA ’63), a highly esteemed leader in the field of choral music, received the International Federation for Choral Music’s ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ at the World Choral Expo in Macau, China, in November. Saltzman was instrumental in founding IFCM and served as the group’s President for eight years. Saltzman is also… Continue reading Royce Saltzman receives Lifetime Achievement Award at World Choral Expo
Alan L. Smith to join Stephanie Blythe at Carnegie Hall
Alan L. Smith, chair of Keyboard Studies and director of the Keyboard Collaborative Arts program at USC Thornton, will accompany internationally-renowned mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe, at her January 23rd “Sing America” concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The performance will give audience members the opportunity to sing-along with Blythe to classic American songs, including… Continue reading Alan L. Smith to join Stephanie Blythe at Carnegie Hall
Chamber Singers awarded 2015 American Prize
The USC Thornton Chamber Singers, led by Jo-Michael Scheibe, have been awarded the 2015 American Prize in Choral Music in the University/College Division. The American Prize series celebrates artistic excellence in a number of creative disciplines. Formed as the Madrigal Singers in 1939, the Chamber Singers have been hailed as a model of excellence since… Continue reading Chamber Singers awarded 2015 American Prize
Julia Adolphe & USC Thornton’s New Music for Orchestra Program
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_654i2XWK8
MusicalAmerica names Yehuda Gilad one of its Professionals of the Year
Clarinetist and conductor Yehuda Gilad, a member of the USC Thornton Winds and Percussion faculty, has been named one of MusicalAmerica’s Professionals of the Year. In a brief website profile, MusicalAmerica lauded Gilad’s teaching reputation as “second to none” and acknowledged the accomplishments of his former students, many of whom now occupy important positions with… Continue reading MusicalAmerica names Yehuda Gilad one of its Professionals of the Year
The L.A. Times and L.A. Phil celebrate clarinetist Michele Zukovsky
Michele Zukovsky, a member of the USC Thornton Winds and Percussion faculty, will retire from her position as principal clarinetist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic after 54 years with the orchestra. The Los Angeles Times celebrated Zukovsky’s incredible career with a special profile, affectionately noting that she joined the orchestra at 18 – apparently, she… Continue reading The L.A. Times and L.A. Phil celebrate clarinetist Michele Zukovsky
Rave reviews for Andrew Norman’s “Split” with Jeffrey Kahane and the N.Y. Philharmonic
“Can the young American composer Andrew Norman keep this up?,” is the question posed by the New York Times in its fervent review of Norman’s new work, “Split,” which he premiered with pianist Jeffrey Kahane, maestro James Gaffigan, and the New York Philharmonic on December 10. Norman, whose previous orchestral work, “Play,” is currently nominated for… Continue reading Rave reviews for Andrew Norman’s “Split” with Jeffrey Kahane and the N.Y. Philharmonic
Percussionist Joseph Pereira featured on PBS’s ”Craft in America”
Joseph Pereira, director of USC Thornton’s percussion studio and principal timpani for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, was recently featured on the “Music” episode of PBS’s “Craft in America,” which explored the complex relationship between the design and manufacture of musical instruments and their use in performance. Pereira’s segment was the result of a full day… Continue reading Percussionist Joseph Pereira featured on PBS’s ”Craft in America”
Clarinet alumni take orchestral positions
Two clarinet alumni of USC Thornton Winds and Percussion faculty member Yehuda Gilad have secured positions with American orchestras. Brad Whitfield (MM ’11) recently won the Assistant Principal Clarinet chair with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, under maestro Christopher Confessore. Sergei Vassiliev (GCRT ’09), who recently became Principal Clarinet for the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, was the… Continue reading Clarinet alumni take orchestral positions