Posts Tagged ‘Classical Performance and Composition’


Logo for USC Thornton School of Music.

Victoria Kirsch

November 1, 2025

Logo for USC Thornton School of Music.

Jonathan Feldman

November 1, 2025

Logo for USC Thornton School of Music.

Ryan McWilliams

November 1, 2025

A tree with Saving the Foothills text overlay.

Cody Westheimer directs and scores climate change documentary, “Saving the Foothills”

October 15, 2025

USC Thornton Composition program alumnus Cody Westheimer (’01) has taken on the roles of director and composer for the climate change documentary, Saving the Foothills. The film captures the determined efforts of community members and organizations as they unite to protect 101 acres of the West Mesa in the San Marcos Foothills from development. Their… Continue reading Cody Westheimer directs and scores climate change documentary, “Saving the Foothills”


early music students perform onstage

USC Thornton Baroque Sinfonia performance celebrates history and emotion, says Daily Trojan

October 13, 2025

On Oct. 6, Alexandria Narinyan of the Daily Trojan delivered an evocative review of the Baroque Sinfonia program. Narinyan’s poetic account described the musical event as “representing the whirlwind of emotions and feelings of being in love,” capturing the passionate spirit of the night. Especially valuable to students were the introductions and descriptions of each… Continue reading USC Thornton Baroque Sinfonia performance celebrates history and emotion, says Daily Trojan


The SAKURA Cello Quintet.

SAKURA Cello Quintet to release debut album, Clair de Lune

September 15, 2025

The SAKURA Cello Quintet—comprised of Stella Cho (’12, MM ’14, DMA ’22), Michael Kaufman (MM ’12, DMA ’15), Yoshika Masuda (GCRT ’12, DMA ’16), Peter Myers (MM ’10, GCRT ’13) and Zachary Mowitz—will release their debut album Clair de Lune on September 19 via Platoon. The album spans five centuries of music, including pieces by… Continue reading SAKURA Cello Quintet to release debut album, Clair de Lune


Logo for USC Thornton School of Music.

Benjamin Brecher

September 15, 2025

Logo for USC Thornton School of Music.

Ashlin Hunter

September 15, 2025

Photo of composer Bear McCreary looking toward the camera in front of a dark background.

Forbes interviews Bear McCreary about “God of War” music

September 10, 2025

Bear McCreary (’02), a USC Thornton Composition program alumnus, was interviewed by Forbes about his music for the video game God of War. Journalist Joshua Lamb traced the game’s musical history from its conception in 2005 to the 2022 sequel, God of War Ragnarök, which McCreary composed. In the article, McCreary discussed his initial draw towards… Continue reading Forbes interviews Bear McCreary about “God of War” music


Dale Trumbore outside

Composer Dale Trumbore awarded Barlow Endowment General Commission

August 20, 2025

Dale Trumbore (MM ’11), a USC Thornton Composition program alumna, was awarded a General Commission from the Barlow Endowment for Music Composition at Brigham Young University. Trumbore was selected from a competitive pool of applicants to craft a new work for Joel Balzun. *** Photo courtesy of Dale Trumbore.