Ashlin Hunter
Forbes interviews Bear McCreary about “God of War” music
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
Composer Dale Trumbore awarded Barlow Endowment General Commission
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.
Clara Kim presents opening concert in Hawai’i Public Radio classical music series
On Aug. 9, violinist and USC Thornton alumna Clara Kim (DMA ’15) presented the opening concert in Hawai’i Public Radio’s (HPR) classical music series, “Live from the Atherton.” Leading up to her performance, Kim was interviewed by HPR’s DW Gibson on the importance of collaboration in music. “It’s amazing to work on pieces by Bach… Continue reading Clara Kim presents opening concert in Hawai’i Public Radio classical music series
Katya Richardson scored “Match in a Haystack” documentary
USC Thornton Composition program alumna Katya Richardson (’19) composed the original score for the documentary Match in a Haystack, which premiered on July 24. Directed by Joe Hill and produced by Misty Copeland, the film follows a group of Ukrainian dancers preparing to perform for the first time since the Russian invasion. Screenings of Match… Continue reading Katya Richardson scored “Match in a Haystack” documentary
Kai Kubota-Enright announced as grand prize winner of Graham Sommer Competition
Kai Kubota-Enright, a master’s student in the USC Thornton Composition program, is the grand prize winner of the third edition of the Graham Sommer Competition for Young Composers. She was awarded $18,000 for her new work for chamber ensemble, ”spatial communication of dripstone.” The Concert and Prize Gala was held on May 18, 2025, at McGill University… Continue reading Kai Kubota-Enright announced as grand prize winner of Graham Sommer Competition
Doug Tornquist joined Chicago Symphony Orchestra as principal tubist for Ravinia Festival
On July 12, USC Thornton Winds & Percussion faculty member Doug Tornquist (’83, DMA ’96) served as principal tubist for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at the 2025 Ravinia Festival. Conducted by Marin Alsop, the concert program featured George Gershwin’s Concerto in F and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6. Tornquist has been a part of Southern California’s… Continue reading Doug Tornquist joined Chicago Symphony Orchestra as principal tubist for Ravinia Festival
LA Phil to perform Daniel Slatkin’s “Voyager 130” at the Hollywood Bowl
On July 24, the Los Angeles Philharmonic will perform USC Thornton alumnus Daniel Slatkin’s (’16) “Voyager 130” at the Hollywood Bowl. The piece was inspired by the Golden Record on NASA’s Voyager spacecraft that carries Earth’s music to the edge of interstellar space. Conducted by Leonard Slatkin, the concert features violinist and USC Thornton Strings… Continue reading LA Phil to perform Daniel Slatkin’s “Voyager 130” at the Hollywood Bowl
Saunder Choi premiered “To Imagine Creation” at The Kennedy Center
USC Thornton Composition program alum Saunder Choi (MM ’16) presented the world premiere of his piece, “To Imagine Creation,” at The Kennedy Center on June 15. The piece was commissioned by the Choral Arts Society of Washington for their 60th anniversary concert. It features text written by poet Brian Sonia-Wallace. Choi is a Los Angeles-based… Continue reading Saunder Choi premiered “To Imagine Creation” at The Kennedy Center
Seth Parker Woods to serve as artistic director of “Rencontres Franco-Américaines” chamber music festival
Seth Parker Woods, cellist and Robert Mann Chair in Strings and Chamber Music at USC Thornton, will serve as the USA artistic director of the “Rencontres Franco Américaines” chamber music festival—an annual gathering of French and American classical music artists taking place August 15-20. The 2025 festival will feature the Ivory Trio, comprised of pianist… Continue reading Seth Parker Woods to serve as artistic director of “Rencontres Franco-Américaines” chamber music festival