Trojan Family Magazine spotlights musicians – and the specialists who keep them healthy
The spring issue of USC’s Trojan Family Magazine includes a feature article exploring the special relationship between musicians and the medical specialists who help to keep them in top performing condition. The piece profiled two USC Thornton students – Popular Music junior Javen Smith and Vocal Arts alumnus Justin Fatu Su’esu’e (MM ’16) – and… Continue reading Trojan Family Magazine spotlights musicians – and the specialists who keep them healthy
Alumnus Saad Haddad receives CAPMT commission
Composer and alumnus Saad Haddad (BM ’14, composition) has received the Distinguished Composer of the Year Award from the California Association of Professional Music Teachers (CAPMT) and has been has commissioned by the organization to compose a new work for flute, viola and harp. The work will be premiered at the CAPMT State Conference in… Continue reading Alumnus Saad Haddad receives CAPMT commission
Choral alumnus Robert Istad receives CSUF’s top faculty award
Robert Istad (DMA ’06), an alumnus of the USC Thornton Choral & Sacred Music program, has received the 2016 Outstanding Professor Award for his work at the California State University, Fullerton (CSUF). In addition to his teaching responsibilities in the School of Music, Istad oversees several ensembles, including the CSUF University Singers, Concert Choir, Women’s… Continue reading Choral alumnus Robert Istad receives CSUF’s top faculty award
Organ student Weicheng Zhao takes AGO competition prizes
Weicheng Zhao (MM ’14), a doctoral candidate in the USC Thornton Organ Studies department, recently won both 3rd Place and the Audience Prize at the American Guild of Organists (AGO) National Young Artists Competition in Organ Performance (NYACOP). Zhao studies with Thornton faculty members Ladd Thomas and Cherry Rhodes. The NYACOP competition, which took place… Continue reading Organ student Weicheng Zhao takes AGO competition prizes
Pianist Norman Krieger to leave USC after 19 years
The USC Thornton Division of Classical Performance and Composition and the Keyboard Studies department congratulate Norman Krieger on his appointment to the faculty of the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. An acclaimed and engaging pianist, Krieger joined the USC Thornton faculty in 1997 and many of his students have won top international prizes and… Continue reading Pianist Norman Krieger to leave USC after 19 years
Thornton alumni receive orchestral and academic appointments
Four talented USC Thornton alumni have recently been selected for distinguished orchestral and academic positions throughout the region. Joe Morris (’12, clarinet) won principal clarinet in the Pacific Symphony, where he will performer under the direction of Carl St.Clair, who also serves as Artistic Leader and Principal Conductor of the USC Thornton Orchestras. The Las… Continue reading Thornton alumni receive orchestral and academic appointments
Cristian Grases premieres new choral work at Carnegie Hall
Cristian Grases, a member of the USC Thornton Choral and Sacred Music faculty, recently premiered his new composition entitled Nocturnos y Adivinanzas (Nocturnes and Riddles) with Distinguished Concerts International New York. The June 12th concert, held at Carnegie Hall, included a chorus of 200 young singers from across the U.S. The six-movement Nocturnos y Adivinanzas… Continue reading Cristian Grases premieres new choral work at Carnegie Hall
Keyboard faculty teach, conduct and perform across the U.S. this summer
Lucinda Carver, vice dean of the USC Thornton Division of Classical Performance and Composition, will conduct two programs at the Music in the Mountains festival in Northern California this month. On June 26, she will lead an all-Mozart program, followed on June 28 by a program featuring Holst, Vaughn Williams, and Dvořák. This month, Carver… Continue reading Keyboard faculty teach, conduct and perform across the U.S. this summer
GCRT candidate Sung Chang wins second price at San Antonio piano competition
Sung Chang, a GCRT candidate in the USC Thornton Keyboard Studies program, won the Silver Medal at the San Antonio International Piano Competition (SAIPC) on June 11. A student of faculty member Jeffrey Kahane, Chang performed Haydn’s Sonata in E Major, Hob. XVI:31, Ravel’s La valse, Debussy’s Prelude, Book 1, No. 6, and Granados’ Valses… Continue reading GCRT candidate Sung Chang wins second price at San Antonio piano competition
American Composers Orchestra to perform work by Sarah Gibson
Sarah Gibson (MM ’10, DMA ’15), a member of the USC Thornton Composition faculty, is one of seven composers whose works will be performed by the American Composers Orchestra (ACO), an ensemble dedicated to reading and performing new contemporary classical music. The ACO’s 25th annual Underwood New Music Readings concert will take place on June… Continue reading American Composers Orchestra to perform work by Sarah Gibson