Posts Tagged ‘Classical Performance and Composition’


Portrait of Rod Gilfry

Rod Gilfry stars in Matthew Aucoin opera

May 8, 2018

Baritone Rod Gilfry, a member of the USC Thornton Vocal Arts & Opera faculty, will star in Matthew Aucoin’s opera, Crossing, on May 25th and 26th at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills. Produced in concert by the LA Opera, the work is inspired by poet Walt Whitman’s experiences during… Continue reading Rod Gilfry stars in Matthew Aucoin opera


Video of Somang Jeagal in recital at the Greystone Mansion

May 7, 2018

The Music in the Mansion concert series, which presents chamber music at the historical Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills, recently published a video showcasing a February performance by pianist and 2018 Outstanding Graduate Somang Jeagal (AD ’15, GCRT ’17, MM ’18). The Keyboard Collaborative Arts student and three-time Beverly Hills National Auditions winner was joined… Continue reading Video of Somang Jeagal in recital at the Greystone Mansion


Choral alumna Tatiana Taylor takes faculty position in Oklahoma

May 4, 2018

Tatiana Taylor (DMA ’17), an alumna of the USC Thornton Choral & Sacred Music program, has accepted a faculty position as Director of Choirs with Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, beginning in the fall. She is in good company with Choral & Sacred Music alumnus Christopher Haygood (DMA ’13), Associate Director of Choral Studies at Oklahoma… Continue reading Choral alumna Tatiana Taylor takes faculty position in Oklahoma


Jennifer Marotta featured on trumpet podcast

May 2, 2018

Trumpet player and USC Thornton faculty member Jennifer Marotta was recently featured as a guest on The Other Side of the Bell, a trumpet-focused podcast produced by Bob Reeves Brass of Valencia. Marotta spoke extensively about her history with the instrument, her performance career, and professional affiliations. Marotta and her husband, faculty member Thomas Hooten,… Continue reading Jennifer Marotta featured on trumpet podcast


Troy Quinn leads Florida concerts with Glenn Dicterow

May 1, 2018

Troy Quinn (DMA ’14), a graduate of the USC Thornton Choral & Sacred Music program and a member of the school’s Conducting faculty, will lead two concerts with the Venice Symphony Orchestra of Venice, Florida, on May 4th and 5th, 2018. The concerts, themed “A Tribute to Music in Cinema,” will feature Thornton faculty member… Continue reading Troy Quinn leads Florida concerts with Glenn Dicterow


Vocal Arts alumni to be featured in Long Beach Opera production

April 30, 2018

Three alumni of the USC Thornton Vocal Arts program, mezzo-soprano Kira Dills-Desurra (’10), tenor Gibran Mahmud (MM ’17), and soprano Alexandra Martinez Turano (MM ’16), will be featured in the Long Beach Opera’s production of The Love Potion by composer Frank Martin. Based on the Celtic legends made famous in Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde, the… Continue reading Vocal Arts alumni to be featured in Long Beach Opera production


Pianist Edward Cibener performs with the San Francisco City Chorus

April 25, 2018

Pianist and USC Thornton alumnus Edward Cibener (BM ’83) recently performed as a guest artist with the San Francisco City Chorus for the ensemble’s April 21st performance of Mendelssohn’s Walpurgisnacht, in an arrangement for piano, organ, and chorus. The concert was conducted by Larry Marietta.


Frank Ticheli

Frank Ticheli’s music makes a broad impact

April 23, 2018

USC Thornton alumnus James Zimmerman (BM ’04), principal clarinetist of the Nashville Symphony, recently published a video detailing production of the ensemble’s 2018 recording of a clarinet concerto by composer and faculty member Frank Ticheli. The previously-unrecorded work was included on the ensemble’s album of wind concertos, recorded under music director Giancarlo Guerrero, and released… Continue reading Frank Ticheli’s music makes a broad impact


Festival of Books

Thornton students and ensembles to shine at the 2018 Festival of Books

April 19, 2018

This weekend, an estimated 150,000 book-lovers will descend on the USC campus for the annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, April 21 & 22. The massive event will feature books, film, art, comedy, photography, lots of food, and, of course, plenty of music. A host of USC Thornton student and alumni musicians will take… Continue reading Thornton students and ensembles to shine at the 2018 Festival of Books


Morten Lauridsen to receive honorary degree from Muhlenberg College

April 18, 2018

This spring, composer, USC Thornton faculty member, and National Medal of Arts recipient Morten Lauridsen will receive an honorary doctorate from Pennsylvania’s Muhlenberg College. He has previously earned honorary degrees from Whitman College, Oklahoma State University, Westminster Choir College, and King’s College at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. At the May 18th ceremony in Allentown,… Continue reading Morten Lauridsen to receive honorary degree from Muhlenberg College