Posts Tagged ‘Classical Performance and Composition’


Thornton brass musicians join prestigious military ensembles

June 25, 2018

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


Portrait of Rod Gilfry

Rod Gilfry warmly reviewed for “Crossing”

June 4, 2018

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

May 31, 2018

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

Sarah Gibson receives LACO Sound Investment commission

May 31, 2018

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

May 23, 2018

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”

May 17, 2018

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”


Garrett McQueen

Alumnus Garrett McQueen becomes Classical 24 radio host

May 16, 2018

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


Portrait of Mark Weiser

Los Angeles premiere of Mark Weiser opera at Art Share L.A.

May 15, 2018

The Place Where You Started, a chamber opera by USC Thornton Composition faculty member Mark Weiser with a libretto by Amy S. Punt, will be performed in collaboration with the Helix Collective, May 17-19 at Art Share L.A. The multimedia work, Weiser’s fourth opera, explores tensions around race and class. His previous opera, Where Angels… Continue reading Los Angeles premiere of Mark Weiser opera at Art Share L.A.


Jacob Broussard receives Wilma Mankiller Fellowship for Tribal Policy and Governance

May 15, 2018

Jacob Broussard (’18), a recent graduate of the USC Thornton Choral Music program, has received the Wilma Mankiller Fellowship for Tribal Policy and Governance, administered by the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI). Broussard, who previously received the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship to undertake ethnomusicological research, will be working in Washington D.C. at the Embassy… Continue reading Jacob Broussard receives Wilma Mankiller Fellowship for Tribal Policy and Governance


Thornton classical guitarists to compete in Buffalo competition

May 15, 2018

Classical Guitar doctoral candidate Bo Byun and alumnus Jack Cimo (BM ’11) are semi-finalists for the JoAnn Falletta International Guitar Concerto Competition, which will take place in Buffalo, New York, on June 6, 7, and 9. The semi-finals will be streamed live online at wned.org. The competition is produced by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra every… Continue reading Thornton classical guitarists to compete in Buffalo competition