
“Difficult Grace” by Seth Parker Woods named a Critic’s Pick by The New York Times
“Difficult Grace,” by USC Thornton strings department faculty member Seth Parker Woods, has been named a Critic’s Pick by The New York Times. An evening-long multimedia program at the 92nd Street Y’s Kaufmann Concert Hall, the performance featured Woods performing a series of works with the choreographer and dancer Roderick George. “Woods was already a cellist of… Continue reading “Difficult Grace” by Seth Parker Woods named a Critic’s Pick by The New York Times

Kyra Stahr to present at California All-State Music Education Conference
Thornton Department of Choral & Sacred Music master’s student Kyra Stahr (MM ‘23) has been selected to present in two sessions at the California All-State Music Education Conference February 15-19, 2023 in Fresno, California. The sessions are titled “Programming with Purpose: Repertoire to Support the Developing Secondary Choral Program” and “Bridging the Gap: Creating an… Continue reading Kyra Stahr to present at California All-State Music Education Conference

Seth Parker Woods announces world premiere of multimedia concert tour “Difficult Grace”
USC Thornton strings department faculty member and cellist Seth Parker Woods has announced the world premiere of his multimedia concert, “Difficult Grace,” which features film, spoken text, visual artwork and original choreography by Roderick George. According to Broadway World, the performance will premiere at 92NY’s Kaufmann Concert Hall in New York City on Nov. 19… Continue reading Seth Parker Woods announces world premiere of multimedia concert tour “Difficult Grace”

Antoinette Perry releases CD “Moments Musicaux”
USC Thornton Keyboard Studies faculty member Antoinette Perry released “Moments Musicaux” on Navona Records in July. The album of solo piano music, which was recorded live in USC Thornton’s Newman Recital Hall, features a blend of German, Austrian, Russian and American music.

Rina Seo premiers composition at Carnegie Hall
USC Thornton Choral & Sacred Music program alumna Rina Seo (DMA ‘19) performed her Carnegie Hall debut as a composer, conductor and pianist in collaboration with the Elite Chorus on Oct. 8. She conducted her choral composition “Now” and the English premiere of “Death Will Be Vanquished.”

Argus Quartet to perform score of Broadway musical “Insomnia”
The Argus Quartet will accompany Jeanna de Waal and Cree Carrico’s performance of “Insomnia”, a new musical work composed by Blake Allen at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall on Nov. 8. The Argus Quartet, founded by USC Thornton alumna Clara Kim (DMA ‘15) includes violinist Giancarlo Latta, violist Maren Rothfritz and cellist Mariel Roberts.

Patrick O’Malley premieres concerto with Ft. Wayne Philharmonic
USC Thornton Composition program alumnus Patrick O’Malley (MM ’15, DMA ’19) will premiere a concerto piece at the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Embassy Theater in Ft. Wayne, IN at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 29. O’Malley’s “Viola Concerto” will be conducted by Andrew Constantine and performed by violist Brett Deubner. The Ft. Wayne Philharmonic commissioned the piece… Continue reading Patrick O’Malley premieres concerto with Ft. Wayne Philharmonic

Reyna Gordon leads scientific study of genetic link to musicality traits
USC Thornton Vocal Arts department alumna Reyna Gordon (BM ‘01) has led the first large-scale study that discovered how the ability to move in synchrony with the beat of music is coded in human genomes. Assembled by an international multidisciplinary team of experts and in collaboration with personal genetics company 23andMe, the study assessed beat… Continue reading Reyna Gordon leads scientific study of genetic link to musicality traits

Cameron Akioka wins silver medal at the Seattle International Piano Competition
USC Thornton Keyboard Studies graduate student Cameron Akioka won the silver medal, the James Miles Memorial Presidential Prize and attendee-vote Audience Favorite Award at the Seattle International Piano Competition. The announcement was made on Oct. 9. 43 pianists from North America, Europe and Asia submitted entries for the Collegiate Artists category. Akioka, who studies with… Continue reading Cameron Akioka wins silver medal at the Seattle International Piano Competition

Kelly Sulick releases new album
USC Thornton Winds & Percussion alumna Kelly Sulick (MM ‘06) recently released an album of 20th- and 21st-century American works for flute and piano titled “Duo.” The album, recorded with pianist John Mayhood and released by Centaur Records, features works by Aaron Copland, John Harbison, Jennifer Higdon and Halsey Stevens, and it also includes the… Continue reading Kelly Sulick releases new album