Thornton Opera’s “Iphigénie en Tauride” reviewed in LA Times
The USC Thornton Opera Program‘s recent production of Gluck’s “Iphigénie en Tauride” received a positive review in the Los Angeles Times. Writer Mark Swed noted that “The USC production by Ken Cazan brought some of the underlying violence to the surface but without compromising the refined beauty of Gluck’s near-perfect score.” Swed went on to… Continue reading Thornton Opera’s “Iphigénie en Tauride” reviewed in LA Times
Piano student Evan Pensis selected for USC fellowship
USC Thornton junior Evan Pensis (BM ’16, piano performance) was selected for an Undergraduate Fellowship with the USC Center for Excellence and Teaching for the 2015-16 academic year. Pensis studies under Keyboard Studies professor Daniel Pollack. Pensis was recently awarded First Place in the VSA Kennedy Center International Young Soloists Competition and will present a… Continue reading Piano student Evan Pensis selected for USC fellowship
Shou Ping Liu to take summer conducting role with Oregon Bach Festival
USC Thornton doctoral candidate Shou Ping Liu was selected as one of eight student conductors for the Oregon Bach Festival, which is held each summer in Eugene. In this role, Liu will work alongside Artistic Director Matthew Halls and Director Emeritus Helmuth Rilling. At USC Thornton, Liu studies choral conducting with Dr. Jo-Michael Scheibe and… Continue reading Shou Ping Liu to take summer conducting role with Oregon Bach Festival
Jong-In Kim joins Incheon City Chorale as Assistant Conductor
USC Thornton alumnus Jong-In Kim (DMA ’11) has been named Assistant Conductor of Korea’s most prestigious professional choir, the Incheon City Chorale. In this role, he will function as an interim conductor during the choir’s search for a new Artistic Director. Mr. Kim has served as Assistant Conductor with both CALA (Choral Alchemy of Los… Continue reading Jong-In Kim joins Incheon City Chorale as Assistant Conductor
Composition by Thomas Osborne featured on new piano album
A composition by USC Thornton alumnus Thomas Osborne (DMA ’06, composition), “The Ends of the Earth,” was prominently featured on pianist Derek Polischuk’s album, “Terra Incognita,” which was released last month. In a review for City Pulse, Lawrence Cosentino called Osborne’s piece “a grand, terrifying and beautiful new work for piano” that “heaves like ocean… Continue reading Composition by Thomas Osborne featured on new piano album
Francisco Fullana takes top prize at Munetsugu Angel Violin Competition
Francisco Garcia Fullana (GCRT, ’15) recently won the Munetsugu Angel Violin Competition in Nagoya, Japan, a biennial competition open to international candidates under the age of 25. In addition to winning first prize, Fullana also won the audience prize, the Prize of the Central Aichi Orchestra and the Special Prize from Mr. Munetsugu, himself. As… Continue reading Francisco Fullana takes top prize at Munetsugu Angel Violin Competition
Cardinal Winds receive strong review for Clyde Montgomery Concert performance
The Cardinal Winds woodwind sextet performed at the annual Clyde Montgomery Concert in Pasadena on March 29, during which they premiered composer Stephen Cohn’s “Aria for Winds.” Rodney Punt, in a review for LA Opus, reported that the sextet members “had their work cut out” on Cohn’s piece, but “deftly conveyed both the work’s craftsmanship… Continue reading Cardinal Winds receive strong review for Clyde Montgomery Concert performance
DMA student Andrew Harrison a finalist in Army Band competition
USC Thornton DMA saxophone student Andrew Harrison was a top ten finalist in the United States Army Band 2015 National Collegiate Solo Competition. Harrison has won various awards, including the SAI Young Artist Competition and the MTNA State Chamber Music Competition. He is currently on the faculty at the Colburn School in Los Angeles and… Continue reading DMA student Andrew Harrison a finalist in Army Band competition
Student Ryan Tani to pursue conducting opportunities
USC Thornton student Ryan Tani (BA ’15) has been accepted as a Master of Music candidate at the Peabody Conservatory in Maryland in the Orchestral Conducting program. Tani has been a member of many USC ensembles, including the Thornton Chamber Singers, the Early Music Ensemble and the Compline Choir and is co-founder and principal conductor… Continue reading Student Ryan Tani to pursue conducting opportunities
Violist Donald McInnes interviewed by Ovation Press
USC Thornton alumnus, retired faculty member and performer Donald McInnes was recently interviewed by Ovation Press, an internet-based music publisher. In the interview, McInnes spoke about his career as both a concert violist and as a teacher. “I have always been passionate about sharing my experiences performing in a way that helps my students to… Continue reading Violist Donald McInnes interviewed by Ovation Press