Keyboard Collaborative Arts student HyeJung Shin performs in Austria and Japan
HyeJung Shin, currently a doctoral candidate in the USC Thornton Keyboard Collaborative Arts program under Alan Smith, attended the American Institute of Musical Studies (AIMS) in Graz, Austria this past summer. The annual program is a highly competitive training ground for musicians, with performances, masterclasses, and intensive study. Shin also performed at the International Double… Continue reading Keyboard Collaborative Arts student HyeJung Shin performs in Austria and Japan
Reflecting on Ken Butler’s extraordinary instruments
The USC News website has posted a brief article about artist/musician/inventor Ken Butler’s Visions & Voices presentation, “Hybrid Visions, Anxious Objects,” which was was organized by USC Thornton Composition faculty member Veronika Krausas and USC Roski ceramicist Karen Koblitz. The news story about the September 21 event noted that Butler “plucks, bows, strums and taps… Continue reading Reflecting on Ken Butler’s extraordinary instruments
Student Emily Browne takes principal position with Spokane Symphony
USC Thornton masters student Emily Browne has won the position of Johnston-Fix Principal Chair, Horn, with the Spokane Symphony Orchestra, under music director Eckart Preu. Browne currently studies with Kristy Morrell in the Winds and Percussion program.
Greg Reitan alumni jazz trio reviewed in ArtsJournal
Jazz pianist and USC Thornton alumnus Greg Reitan (’96, composition) was reviewed on the ArtsJournal blog for his new album, Post No Bills, which features fellow alumni Jack Daro (BA ’93, MM ’99) on bass and Dean Koba (MM ’93) on drums. The album has been well-received by critics. Reitan studied composition at USC Thornton… Continue reading Greg Reitan alumni jazz trio reviewed in ArtsJournal
Vijay Venkatesh wins prize in Seattle piano competition
Vijay Venkatesh (BM ’17, piano performance), currently a student in the USC Thornton Keyboard Studies program under Norman Krieger, has won second prize in the Seattle Symphony Piano Competition, earning $5000 and the opportunity to perform in concert with the symphony. Venkatesh will next perform in a chamber music recital with clarinetist Micah Wright at… Continue reading Vijay Venkatesh wins prize in Seattle piano competition
Composition alum Roger Zare wins first prize for orchestral work
USC Thornton Composition alumnus Roger Zare (BM ’07) won first prize at the 3rd Senzoku Contemporary Composition Competition for his orchestral composition, Tectonics. The competition was hosted by the Senzoku Gakuen College of Music in Tokyo, Japan and Zare’s work was performed by the Senzoku New Philharmonic Orchestra.
Morten Lauridsen artist-in-residence at Arcosanti urban laboratory
Morten Lauridsen, Distinguished Professor of Composition at USC Thornton and National Medal of Arts winner, was the artist-in-residence at the Arcosanti urban laboratory in rural Arizona from Sep. 14-19. The residency culminated in a concert celebrating Lauridsen’s choral works, including his beloved “Lux Aeterna,” featuring Orpheus Male Chorus of Phoenix, the NAU Shrine of the… Continue reading Morten Lauridsen artist-in-residence at Arcosanti urban laboratory
Evan Pensis shares sophisticated piano repertoire with prison audiences
Evan Pensis (BM ’16, piano), a fourth-year student in the USC Thornton Keyboard Studies program, has garnered press attention for his performances for prisoners at the Arizona State Prison in Florence, Arizona. The Florence Reminder & Blade Tribune profiled Pensis’ recent recital before an audience of 140 prisoners and guests, which included works by Stravinsky,… Continue reading Evan Pensis shares sophisticated piano repertoire with prison audiences
USC Thornton Explores Conductorless – and Collaborative – Musicianship
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Extraordinary young organist begins studies at USC Thornton
Incoming USC Thornton freshman Organ Studies major Ethan Haman was the subject of a recent feature profile by the Los Altos Town Crier. The 17-year-old began serving as his church’s official organist three years ago and has since gone on to study with master organists in Europe. Haman’s Northern California community bid him farewell with… Continue reading Extraordinary young organist begins studies at USC Thornton