Composer, exchange student Tuomas Kettunen shares collaborative work
Finnish composer Tuomas Kettunen, a master’s student at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, recently concluded a semester as an exchange student at USC Thornton, where he studied with Donald Crockett and took classes in orchestration, game scoring, and music technology. Kettunen shared the fruits of his work from the Writer-Composer class, led by Lisa Sylvester,… Continue reading Composer, exchange student Tuomas Kettunen shares collaborative work
Troy Quinn named music director of Venice Symphony
Troy Quinn (DMA ’14), a member of the USC Thornton Conducting faculty and a graduate of the school’s Choral & Sacred Music program, has been selected as music director of the Venice Symphony Orchestra in Venice, Florida. Quinn, who conducted May concerts with the orchestra featuring Thornton faculty member and former concertmaster of the New… Continue reading Troy Quinn named music director of Venice Symphony
Jeffrey Kahane premieres Sirota septet at the Sarasota Music Festival
Pianist Jeffrey Kahane, a member of the USC Thornton Keyboard Studies faculty, recently concluded his second year as music director of the Sarasota Music Festival with the world premiere of Robert Sirota’s Luminous Bodies septet, in collaboration with the yMusic ensemble. The work’s title refers to the composers that influenced Sirota, including Gershwin, Copland, Bernstein,… Continue reading Jeffrey Kahane premieres Sirota septet at the Sarasota Music Festival
Thornton brass musicians join prestigious military ensembles
Two USC Thornton musicians have recently joined bands in the nation’s capital. Jake Kraft (BM ’14) took a trombone position with the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” while trumpeter and masters candidate Seth Johnson joined the United States Navy Concert Band and Ceremonial Band. Johnson described the position with the Navy’s premiere ensemble as… Continue reading Thornton brass musicians join prestigious military ensembles
Rod Gilfry warmly reviewed for “Crossing”
Baritone Rod Gilfry, a member of the USC Thornton Vocal Arts & Opera faculty, recently starred in a concert presentation of Matthew Aucoin’s opera, Crossing, at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills. Produced by the LA Opera, the work was inspired by poet Walt Whitman’s experiences during the Civil War… Continue reading Rod Gilfry warmly reviewed for “Crossing”
Students, faculty, and alumni featured in Mozart summer festivals
USC Thornton students, faculty, and alumni will be featured in Mozart festivals on both coasts this summer. Beginning June 1st, the Mainly Mozart Festival takes over venues across San Diego County for its 30th anniversary season. On June 7th, Martin Chalifour, Thornton faculty member and concertmaster of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, teams with classical guitarist… Continue reading Students, faculty, and alumni featured in Mozart summer festivals
Sarah Gibson receives LACO Sound Investment commission
Sarah Gibson (MM ’10, DMA ’15), a USC Thornton alumna and a member of the school’s Composition faculty, has been selected as Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra’s Sound Investment composer for the 2018-19 season. Previous recipients of Sound Investment commissions include Ted Hearne, Matthew Aucoin, Ellen Reid, and Andrew Norman, now LACO’s creative advisor & composer-in-residence.… Continue reading Sarah Gibson receives LACO Sound Investment commission
Alumnus J.G. Miller premieres new U.S. Cyber Command march
USC Thornton alumnus, Staff Sergeant J.G. Miller (DMA ’13, Horn), was recently invited to compose a new march for the U.S. Cyber Command, which was premiered on May 4th by the United States Army Field Band in a ceremony at Fort Meade, Maryland. The march can be here in this video at 58:00. Miller is… Continue reading Alumnus J.G. Miller premieres new U.S. Cyber Command march
Two Thornton Vocal Arts alumna lead Tulsa “Turandot”
Sopranos Jessica Rose Cambio (MM ’06) and Alexandra Loutsion (MM ’08), both graduates of the USC Thornton Vocal Arts & Opera program, recently starred in the Tulsa Opera’s production of Turandot, which ran from April 27th-29th. Loutsion and Cambio portrayed Turandot and Liù, respectively, under the baton of conductor James Lowe. Cambio debuted the role… Continue reading Two Thornton Vocal Arts alumna lead Tulsa “Turandot”
Alumnus Garrett McQueen becomes Classical 24 radio host
Garrett McQueen (MM ’12, Bassoon), an alumnus of the USC Thornton Winds & Percussion program, recently joined the hosting team of Classical 24, a nationally-syndicated radio program produced by American Public Media and Public Radio International. McQueen, who formerly hosted “The Afternoon Concert” on Knoxville’s WUOT-FM, is also an accomplished musician, performing with the St.… Continue reading Alumnus Garrett McQueen becomes Classical 24 radio host