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
Musical Theatre students and Sound Off! Music for Bail present events this weekend
This weekend, Musical Theatre students present a student-produced film that explores the legacy of enslavement, while graduate certificate student and Los Angeles Orchestra Fellow Jay Julio Laureta’s ensemble, Sound Off! Music for Bail, presents a virtual concert and fundraiser for a national bail fund. On Friday, Feb. 26 at 5:00 pm (PST), students in USC’s… Continue reading Musical Theatre students and Sound Off! Music for Bail present events this weekend
Gail Samuel appointed President and CEO of Boston Symphony Orchestra
USC Thornton alum and Board of Councilors member Gail Samuel has been appointed as the next Eunice and Julian Cohen President and CEO of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO). She will serve as BSO’s first woman president in the organization’s 140-year history. Currently, Samuel serves as the President of the Hollywood Bowl and Chief Operating… Continue reading Gail Samuel appointed President and CEO of Boston Symphony Orchestra
Alexander Lloyd Blake featured in The New York Times
Choral & Sacred Music alum Alexander Lloyd Blake (DMA ‘19), was recently featured in an article in The New York Times discussing Tonality, the Los Angeles-based choral ensemble he founded. The article highlights seven music organizations like Tonality that have been working toward racial equity in the classical music industry. The article shares what inspired… Continue reading Alexander Lloyd Blake featured in The New York Times