Two Thornton Alumni recognized for Video Game Scoring
Two USC Thornton alumni ranked in the top five of Film Music Media‘s list of the best video game scores of 2018. Bear McCreary ’02 earned the second spot for his score for God of War while Austin Wintory ’07 came in fourth for The Banner Saga 3.
Ken Cazan discusses Bizet’s ‘Carmen’ at The Met in HD broadcast
Ken Cazan, Resident Stage Director of the USC Thornton Opera program, shared his experiences directing the opera, Carmen as part of a broadcast of The Met in HD: George Bizet’s ‘Carmen’ on February 2 at the Eileen Norris Cinema Theater. Cazan discusses the opera’s themes of destiny, love, freedom and female self-expression and his personal connection with… Continue reading Ken Cazan discusses Bizet’s ‘Carmen’ at The Met in HD broadcast
The Argus Quartet performs at Chico State
The Argus Quartet made its first appearance in Chico, Calif. on February 17th in the Zingg Recital Hall on the Chico State University campus. The quartet, which is comprised of USC Thornton alumni Clara Kim (DMA ’15, violin) and Jason Issokson (MM ’10, violin) along with violist Dana Kelley and cellist Jo Whang, performed a… Continue reading The Argus Quartet performs at Chico State
Sarah Rommel earns glowing review
In January, the Hans India Newspaper gave cellist and USC Thornton alumna Sarah Rommel (GRCT ’14, MM ’16) a glowing review for her performance with the ‘State of the Art’ (SOTA) Resonance Festival presented by British Airways at the Trident in India. In an interview with the newspaper, Rommel discussed her love for travel and… Continue reading Sarah Rommel earns glowing review
Kevin Fitz-Gerald and Andrew Shulman perform at the Broad’s “Beethoven, Bagels & Banter”
Kevin Fitz-Gerald, a USC Thornton Keyboard Studies faculty member, and strings faculty member Andrew Shulman performed as part of the Broad’s monthly “Beethoven, Bagels & Banter” performance series this past Sunday. The trio – comprised of Fitz-Gerald on piano, Shulman on cello and Robert Davidovici on violin – presented works by Haydn and Brahms.
Viola Masterclass with Kim Kashkashian featured on Violinist.com
Kim Kashkashian, GRAMMY Award-winning violist and a professor at the New England Conservatory of Music, was recently featured on Violinist.com for her viola masterclass with USC Thornton String students this past January. The article dives into Kashkashian’s effective rapport with the students and discusses specific technical and instructional devices she used in the masterclass.
Inaugural Angela Meade Vocal Competition Established
Soprano and USC Thornton alumna Angela Meade (MM ’04) established the Angela Meade Vocal Competition at Pacific Lutheran University this January. After an initial review of all applicants, six finalists performed two songs in this public competition finale. Three winners were announced and were awarded up to $1000 and a trip to the east coast… Continue reading Inaugural Angela Meade Vocal Competition Established
LACO premieres new commission by Juan Pablo Contreras
This week, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) will premiere composer and USC Thornton DMA student Juan Pablo Contreras’ new piano quintet, Musas Mexicanas. The two-night debut will take place Thursday, Feb. 13 at Santa Monica’s Moss Theater and Friday, Feb. 15 at The Huntington in San Marino. Commissioned as part of LACO’s In Focus series… Continue reading LACO premieres new commission by Juan Pablo Contreras
Sharon Lavery performs at Carnegie Hall and leads Missouri All-State Symphony
Sharon Lavery, resident conductor of the USC Thornton Orchestra program, conducted the High School Honors Performance Series Band at Carnegie Hall on Sunday, February 10 as part of the 2019 Honors Performance Series. The series brings rising young performers together with renowned conductors to perform at Carnegie Hall and the Sydney Opera House. Lavery also… Continue reading Sharon Lavery performs at Carnegie Hall and leads Missouri All-State Symphony
Michael Christ Powers appointed as Orchestra Director at Westridge School
USC Thornton alumnus Michael Christ Powers (MM ’05) was named Orchestra Director of the Westridge School in Pasadena, Calif. This March, he will take the Westridge Chamber Orchestra to Italy. Additionally, on January 19, Powers was the Star Guest Conductor with the Philharmonic Society’s Orange County Youth Symphony in a subscription concert for families and… Continue reading Michael Christ Powers appointed as Orchestra Director at Westridge School