Annie Gosfield wins American Academy of Arts and Letters Award
Annie Gosfield, USC Thornton alum and composer, has been named a winner of the American Academy of Arts and Letters Music Awards. Gosfield is one of the four composers awarded the Arts and Letters Awards in music. Each honoree will receive $10,000 award as well as an additional $10,000 to record their work. Their original… Continue reading Annie Gosfield wins American Academy of Arts and Letters Award
Rixiang Huang awarded first prize in Chopin International Piano Competition
Pianist Rixiang Huang was awarded first prize in the Piano Masters category of the Chopin International Piano Competition. Held annually in Hartford, Connecticut, the competition was held virtually this year. Huang performed Chopin’s Barcarolle, Rondo in E-flat major, Scherzo No. 3 as well as Bartok’s Piano Sonata and Rachmaninoff’s Études-Tableaux, Op. 39 in the final… Continue reading Rixiang Huang awarded first prize in Chopin International Piano Competition
Alumni featured in Los Angeles Times about pandemic loss and hope
Three USC Thornton alumni were recently featured in a Los Angeles Times article on classical musicians’ stories of pandemic loss and hope. Alexander Blake (DMA ‘19), Melissa Tong (BM ‘00), and Jonathan Karoly (BM ‘97) shared their stories of overcoming struggles during the pandemic and embracing new opportunities. “This time has confirmed that I’m a… Continue reading Alumni featured in Los Angeles Times about pandemic loss and hope
New Opera West releases animated opera short
New Opera West, a nonprofit opera company co-founded by Vocal Arts doctoral student Emily Thebaut and Composition faculty member Mark Weiser, recently released “Pepito.” The animated dog opera written by Nicolas Lell Benavides, a doctoral student in the Composition program, is currently streaming on Vimeo. The work was animated by Esperanza Guevara, Connor Jacobs, and… Continue reading New Opera West releases animated opera short
Michael Tilson Thomas and Los Angeles Philharmonic win at 2021 GRAMMY Awards
The 63rd annual GRAMMY Awards, held virtually on Sunday, March 14, brought wins for faculty and alumni at USC Thornton. Celebrated conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, a Thornton alum and Judge Widney Professor at USC, won for Best Orchestral Performance for the San Francisco Symphony’s “Copland: Symphony No. 3.” And the many alumni and faculty who… Continue reading Michael Tilson Thomas and Los Angeles Philharmonic win at 2021 GRAMMY Awards
Morten Lauridsen named to Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center advisory board
Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Composition and Thornton alumnus Morten Lauridsen has been named as one of the Honorary Advisory Board Members of the Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center and will serve as a core member of the Honorary Board of Directors. Lauridsen is one of four prominent figures named to the new Board.… Continue reading Morten Lauridsen named to Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center advisory board
USC ACDA Student Chapter wins 2021 Outstanding Student Chapter Award
The American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) recognized USC Thornton’s ACDA Student Chapter with the Outstanding ACDA Student Chapter Award for 2021. Each year the award is given to a student chapter that best supports the advancement of choral music through its activities. The USC ACDA Student Chapter is advised by Cristian Grases, chair of the… Continue reading USC ACDA Student Chapter wins 2021 Outstanding Student Chapter Award
Lucinda Carver featured as Bösendorfer artist
Lucinda Carver, Keyboard Studies faculty member and Vice Dean of the Division of Classical Performance and Composition, has been selected as part of Bösendorfer’s “Artists & Friends” feature. Bösendorfer is one of the oldest piano manufacturers in the world. The artists included in the feature are those who play or have played the pianos as… Continue reading Lucinda Carver featured as Bösendorfer artist
Michael Tilson Thomas featured on PBS
Michael Tilson Thomas, a celebrated conductor, USC Thornton alum and current Judge Widney Professor of Music at USC, was recently featured in a video special on PBS about mentoring during the pandemic and working with the next generation of musicians. The special was a part of PBS NewsHour’s arts and culture series “CANVAS.” “All the… Continue reading Michael Tilson Thomas featured on PBS
Gina Luciani featured in Avid campaign
Gina Luciani (MM ‘13), a USC Thornton alum and flutist, was recently featured in a campaign for Avid, a company that supplies the tools and technology for creators and media enterprises to thrive in the digital media era. Luciani was featured in a video spotlight for Avid’s new “I Am Avid” initiative highlighting artists and… Continue reading Gina Luciani featured in Avid campaign