The Kinetic Winds to be featured in Mammoth Lakes concert
The Kinetic Winds quintet, which includes five USC Thornton students, will be the featured ensemble at the Eastern Sierra Symphony’s fall concert in Mammoth Lakes on Saturday, November 4th. Led by bassoonist and GCRT candidate Amber Wyman (MM ’16), the quintet includes clarinetist and master’s student Sergio Coelho (GCRT ’16), oboist and DMA candidate Chris… Continue reading The Kinetic Winds to be featured in Mammoth Lakes concert
Marek Szpakiewicz appointed Director of String Studies at Azusa Pacific
Cellist and USC Thornton alumnus Marek Szpakiewicz (MM ’01, DMA ’08) has been appointed Director of String Studies at Azusa Pacific University’s School of Music. Szpakiewicz has been teaching cello and chamber music at APU since 2005 and has served as Director of Chamber Music since 2014. His students have won top prizes at numerous… Continue reading Marek Szpakiewicz appointed Director of String Studies at Azusa Pacific
Keyboard Studies DMA candidates contribute to CAPMT conference and journal
USC Thornton Keyboard Studies DMA candidates Michael Krikorian, Daniel Linder, Eva Schaumkell and Alexander Zhu were recently selected to present a research poster at the California Association of Professional Music Teachers (CAPMT) state conference in Fresno. The students, all of whom are MTNA USC Collegiate Chapter members, presented on the subject of “Demystifying 20th and… Continue reading Keyboard Studies DMA candidates contribute to CAPMT conference and journal
Argus Quartet wins prestigious Concert Artists Guild Victor Elmaleh Competition
The Argus Quartet recently won first prize in the annual Concert Artists Guild’s Victor Elmaleh Competition. The quartet includes USC Thornton alumni Clara Kim (DM ’15, violin) and Jason Issokan (MM ’10, violin), along with violist Dana Kelley and cellist Jo Whang. Along with co-winner, pianist Dominic Cheli, the quartet will receive a cash prize… Continue reading Argus Quartet wins prestigious Concert Artists Guild Victor Elmaleh Competition
More acclaim for Rod Gilfry’s portrayal of Walt Whitman
Baritone Rod Gilfry, a member of the USC Thornton Vocal Arts & Opera, has earned rave reviews for his portrayal of Walt Whitman in composer Matthew Aucoin’s opera, Crossing, at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM). Currently in its second iteration as part of the 2017 Next Wave Festival, the opera premiered at Boston’s Citi… Continue reading More acclaim for Rod Gilfry’s portrayal of Walt Whitman
Thornton alumni create the Los Angeles Film Conductor’s Intensive
USC Thornton alumni David Newman (MM ’82, Violin) and Angel Velez (MA ’14, Music Education) have teamed to create the Los Angeles Film Conductor’s Intensive (LAFCI), a conductor training program designed for media composers. LAFCI hosts regular workshops and seminars to train artists in the nuances of conducting for film, television, and video game recording… Continue reading Thornton alumni create the Los Angeles Film Conductor’s Intensive
Thornton welcomes Trojan families for Trojan Family Weekend
Through this Sunday, October 15th, USC Thornton welcomes Trojan parents and families to our campus for the annual Trojan Family Weekend. Catch a football game, see the B-52’s live, or sit in on a class – You can find the full list of exciting events, including concerts, a football game, mixers, lectures, and open houses… Continue reading Thornton welcomes Trojan families for Trojan Family Weekend
Troy Quinn
Emmy-nominated conductor Troy Quinn has quickly established himself as one of his generation’s most versatile young artists. Lauded for his energetic and riveting conducting, charismatic stage presence and genre-defying programs, Quinn is in his ninth season as music director of the Owensboro Symphony in Kentucky. He is also in his eighth season as music director… Continue reading Troy Quinn
Jim Self releases new CD that includes a one-of-a-kind instrument, the fluba
USC Thornton Winds & Percussion faculty member Jim Self, a tuba player widely-known for his performances on over 1500 film soundtracks, has released a new album with guitarist John Chiodini. Floating in Winter includes several tracks featuring the fluba, a one-of-a-kind instrument that combines the tuba with qualities of the trumpet-like flugelhorn. The F-pitched fluba… Continue reading Jim Self releases new CD that includes a one-of-a-kind instrument, the fluba
Thornton soloists featured in season’s first Concerto Chamber Orchestra concert
On Sunday, October 8th, the USC student-led Concerto Chamber Orchestra will present it’s first concert of the season, featuring undergraduate soloists Max Opferkuch (clarinet) and Shelby Wong (piano). The program will be as follows: Crusell – Clarinet Concerto No. 3, Op. 11 in Bb Major I. Allegro risoluto Max Opferkuch, clarinet Schumann – Piano Concerto… Continue reading Thornton soloists featured in season’s first Concerto Chamber Orchestra concert