Martin Chalifour to perform Saint-Saëns’ Violin Concerto at the Hollywood Bowl
Violinist Martin Chalifour, Principal Concertmaster of the Los Angeles Philharmonic (LA Phil) and a member of the USC Thornton Strings faculty, will perform Saint-Saëns’ Violin Concerto No. 1, under the baton of Paolo Bortolameolli, at the Hollywood Bowl on August 2nd. Chalifour has spent much of the summer as a Valade Teaching Fellow and Valade… Continue reading Martin Chalifour to perform Saint-Saëns’ Violin Concerto at the Hollywood Bowl
Guitarist Mak Grgić to tour with k.d. lang
Classical guitarist Mak Grgić (MM ’12, DMA ’16), a graduate certificate candidate at USC Thornton and an alumnus of the school’s Arts Leadership program, will open for k.d. lang during the artist’s Fall tour across the American South. Beginning September 7th, Grgić will perform on lang’s Ingénue Redux Tour in nine cities, closing the tour… Continue reading Guitarist Mak Grgić to tour with k.d. lang
Bokyung Byun wins prestigious JoAnn Falletta International Guitar Concerto Competition
Classical Guitarist and USC Thornton doctoral candidate Bokyung Byun has won first place and Musician’s Choice in the JoAnn Falletta International Guitar Concerto Competition, one of the world’s top events for guitarists. The biennial competition, hosted by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra of New York state, featured eight semi-finalists in performance with the orchestra under music… Continue reading Bokyung Byun wins prestigious JoAnn Falletta International Guitar Concerto Competition
Students, faculty, and alumni featured in Mozart summer festivals
USC Thornton students, faculty, and alumni will be featured in Mozart festivals on both coasts this summer. Beginning June 1st, the Mainly Mozart Festival takes over venues across San Diego County for its 30th anniversary season. On June 7th, Martin Chalifour, Thornton faculty member and concertmaster of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, teams with classical guitarist… Continue reading Students, faculty, and alumni featured in Mozart summer festivals
Thornton classical guitarists to compete in Buffalo competition
Classical Guitar doctoral candidate Bo Byun and alumnus Jack Cimo (BM ’11) are semi-finalists for the JoAnn Falletta International Guitar Concerto Competition, which will take place in Buffalo, New York, on June 6, 7, and 9. The semi-finals will be streamed live online at wned.org. The competition is produced by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra every… Continue reading Thornton classical guitarists to compete in Buffalo competition
Mak Grgić releases new album
Mak Grgić (MM ’12, DMA ’16), an Artist Diploma candidate in the USC Thornton Classical Guitar program, has released an album, MAKrotonal, which uses specially re-fretted instruments to reexamine standard repertoire and to present newly commissioned works. Excerpts can be heard on Grgić’s website. Grgić serves as director of a number of music festivals worldwide… Continue reading Mak Grgić releases new album
Albert Diaz appointed Associate Chair of Music at Walla Walla University
USC Thornton Classical Guitar alumnus Albert R. Diaz (BA ’10, MM ’12) has been appointed Associate Chair of the Music Department at Walla Walla University in Washington state. Diaz was a founding member of the Helios Guitar Quartet, which formed at USC in 2011. Currently a doctoral candidate in musicology at U.C. Los Angeles, Diaz’s… Continue reading Albert Diaz appointed Associate Chair of Music at Walla Walla University
A relaxing summer vacation with Mak Grgić
USC Thornton alumnus Mak Grgić (MM ’12, DMA ’16) is a very busy man. The Slovenian-born classical guitarist (recently profiled here) is artistic director of both the Zagreb Music Festival and the Biljke i Svirke Interactive Music Festival, director of the Elemental Guitar Program at Elemental Music, an adjunct faculty member at Mount Saint Mary’s… Continue reading A relaxing summer vacation with Mak Grgić
Classical Guitar alum Evan Hirschelman releases new book
USC Thornton Classical Guitar alumnus Evan Hirschelman (MM ’06) has released a new instructional book with publisher Hal Leonard, entitled “Classical Guitar Chops: Essential Licks & Exercises to Maximize Your Technique.” With a foreword written by Thornton faculty member Scott Tennant, the book features music by Bach, Albéniz, Paganini, Giuliani, and Sor. Hirschelman previously released… Continue reading Classical Guitar alum Evan Hirschelman releases new book
Applications are now open for the LA Phil’s Hack Music LA
Applications are now open for Hack Music LA, a two-day event (October 7 & 8) that will bring together 75 of the country’s most creative makers to develop tools and experiences to expand music for all. The innovative, music-inspired hackathon is hosted by the LA Phil in partnership with the USC Thornton School of Music… Continue reading Applications are now open for the LA Phil’s Hack Music LA