Posts Tagged ‘Classical Performance and Composition’


Irene Apanovitch to present at Canadian choral conference

September 11, 2017

USC Thornton Choral Music DMA candidate Irene Apanovitch has been invited to present at the June 2018 Podium Conference for Choral Directors in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. Her session, “How do singers relate? Uncovering the link between choral singing and empathy,” will explore the impact of emotional empathy on the choral rehearsal process.


Jules Pegram participates in Cabrillo Festival Composers Workshop

September 8, 2017

USC Thornton Composition alumnus Jules Pegram (BM ’13) was one of three artists selected for the Composers Workshop at the 2017 Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music in Santa Cruz. Pegram worked with conductors Cristian Măcelaru, Thomas Sleeper, and Leonard Slatkin, along with mentor-composer Michael Gandolfi and other Cabrillo composers-in-residence. His work, L.A. GLOWS, inspired by… Continue reading Jules Pegram participates in Cabrillo Festival Composers Workshop


Ted Hearne’s latest album reviewed in The New Yorker

September 5, 2017

The New Yorker recently reviewed a new album by composer and USC Thornton faculty member Ted Hearne, whom reviewer Russell Platt called “one of the brightest compositional talents of the millennial generation.” Sound from the Bench features four “fierce and timely” choral works recorded by the Philadelphia-based choir, the Crossing, and directed by Donald Nally.… Continue reading Ted Hearne’s latest album reviewed in The New Yorker


Ken Cazan praised for production of Britten’s “The Burning Fiery Furnace”

August 31, 2017

USC Thornton Vocal Arts & Opera chair Ken Cazan’s recent production of Benjamin Britten’s The Burning Fiery Furnace at the Central City Opera in Boulder, Colorado, received high praise. “Cazan’s imaginative staging combined with Britten’s music makes the message universal,” the review stated. Cazan’s stage direction delivered a modern take on Britten’s opera “where the… Continue reading Ken Cazan praised for production of Britten’s “The Burning Fiery Furnace”


Applications are now open for the LA Phil’s Hack Music LA

August 29, 2017

Applications are now open for Hack Music LA, a two-day event (October 7 & 8) that will bring together 75 of the country’s most creative makers to develop tools and experiences to expand music for all. The innovative, music-inspired hackathon is hosted by the LA Phil in partnership with the USC Thornton School of Music… Continue reading Applications are now open for the LA Phil’s Hack Music LA


Jenny Wong pictured outdoors smiling to the camera

Choral doctoral candidates take on leadership roles

August 28, 2017

Jenny Wong (MM ’13, choral), a DMA candidate in the USC Thornton Choral & Sacred Music program, has been promoted to the role of Associate Conductor for the Los Angeles Master Chorale. She has previously served as Assistant Conductor with the ensemble, in addition to her duties as Interim Director of Music at All Saints… Continue reading Choral doctoral candidates take on leadership roles


Clarinetist Ryan Toher to be NY Philharmonic Global Academy Fellow

August 25, 2017

USC Thornton clarinetist Ryan Toher, a second-year master’s student of Yehuda Gilad, has been selected to participate in the New York Philharmonic Global Academy Fellowship Program this January. One of several full-scholarship musicians selected by the Music Academy of the West, Toher will travel to New York City for an intensive ten days of training… Continue reading Clarinetist Ryan Toher to be NY Philharmonic Global Academy Fellow


Jennifer Marotta

August 22, 2017

Jennifer Marotta is an adjunct assistant professor of trumpet performance at the USC Thornton School of Music. An active freelance musician based in Los Angeles, she regularly performs with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Los Angeles Opera, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, L.A. Master Chorale, and the St. Louis Symphony. Marotta… Continue reading Jennifer Marotta


Cristian Grases elected to IFCM Executive Council

August 21, 2017

USC Thornton Choral & Sacred Music faculty member Cristian Grases was recently elected to the Executive Council of the International Federation for Choral Music (IFCM). Grases was appointed in July while attending the World Symposium on Choral Music in Barcelona and will serve as one of four Vice Presidents for the group. The IFCM is… Continue reading Cristian Grases elected to IFCM Executive Council


Alumna Michelle Tseng joins the LA Phil

August 18, 2017

Violinist Michelle Tseng (’13, GCRT ’17), an alumna of the USC Thornton Strings program, recently joined the Los Angeles Philharmonic (LA Phil) as a Second Violinist. She has performed as a soloist with the Torrance, Downey, Peninsula, South Coast, USC, and Rio Hondo Symphonies and served as concertmaster under conductors David Robertson, Alan Gilbert, and… Continue reading Alumna Michelle Tseng joins the LA Phil