“Mariachitlán” by Juan Pablo Contreras to be performed at Disney Hall with LACO
Juan Pablo Contreras, a DMA Student in Composition, will bring his internationally celebrated work, “Mariachitlán,” to both Walt Disney Concert Hall and Carnegie Hall this summer.
Dan Caputo
Dan Caputo (b. 1991) is a Los Angeles-based composer and producer of instrumental and electronic music whose work has been described as “sprawling [and] dreamlike,” “sumptuously depict[ing]” its subject matter (San Francisco Classical Voice). Weaving a range of stylistic influences into his psychologically-bent music, Dan aims to construct immersive sonic experiences colored by curious and thought-provoking… Continue reading Dan Caputo
Scott Rieker Named Semi-Finalist in American Prize for Composition
Dr. Scott Rieker’s (DMA, ‘19), Director of Choral Music & Music Education, was named a semi-finalist in the American Prize for Composition, in the Choral Music division for his setting of five poems by former US Poet Laurate, Ted Kooser, entitled “Ted Kooser Suite.”
Jacob Vogel
Director of the USC Trojan Marching Band, Vogel’s artistic vision has been instrumental to the success of his collaborative efforts with the Thornton School of Music’s Popular Music Program, the Kaufman School of Dance, X Ambassador’s Sam Harris, Fitz and the Tantrums, composers Ramin Djawadi and Alan Silvestri, as well as Angelina Jolie and Mark Hamill.
Detroit Symphony Orchestra to present world premiere by Veronika Krausas
On Saturday, May. 8, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra will present the world premiere of Caryatids by Veronika Krausas. The professor of Composition’s new work won the DSO’s tenth annual Elaine Lebenbom Memorial Award for Female Composers. The concert also includes the Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto featuring Midori, Judge Widney Professor of Music at USC. The digital… Continue reading Detroit Symphony Orchestra to present world premiere by Veronika Krausas
Violinists Etienne Gara and YuEun Kim featured on Volkwagen website
USC Thornton alumni Etienne Gara and YuEun Kim (GCRT ‘15, AD ‘17) have been featured on the Volkswagen website for their project, MusiKaravan. Over the last year, the two violinists have been traveling to farms and wineries in a restored 1971 red Volkswagen Westfalia, bringing music outdoors to essential workers. “We don’t always call in… Continue reading Violinists Etienne Gara and YuEun Kim featured on Volkwagen website
Catherine Karoly
Catherine Karoly joined the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 1996 as second flutist and was promoted to Associate Principal Flute in 2009 by Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen. She has performed as a soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and New World Symphony and has frequently appeared in chamber music concerts at the Marlboro, La Jolla Summerfest,… Continue reading Catherine Karoly
Zelter Quartet wins Gold Prize at Chesapeake Chamber Music Competition
The Zelter Quartet has won the Gold Prize at the 2021 Chesapeake International Chamber Music Competition. The annual competition in Easton, Maryland was held virtually this year. The Los Angeles-based quartet includes violist Nao Kubota (MM ’19), a Graduate Certificate student; cellist Allan Hon, a Doctoral student; and violinists Kyle Gilner (BM’16) and Gallia Kastner.
Michael Abels interviewed by Jon Burlingame in Variety
USC Thornton Composition alumnus Michael Abels (BM ‘84) was interviewed in Variety about composers of color in the film industry by Thornton faculty member and music writer Jon Burlingame. Abels, one of the co-founders of the Composers Diversity Collective, spoke about the changes he has seen in Hollywood over the past years as race and… Continue reading Michael Abels interviewed by Jon Burlingame in Variety
Cristian Grases appointed to Artistic Committee of World Symposium on Choral Music
Cristian Grases, chair of the Choral & Sacred Music program at USC Thornton, has been appointed to the Artistic Committee preparing the next World Symposium on Choral Music (WSCM). The event is scheduled to take place in Doha, Qatar in 2023, bringing the WSCM to the Middle East for the very first time, and is… Continue reading Cristian Grases appointed to Artistic Committee of World Symposium on Choral Music