JoAnn Turovsky featured on “The Legacy of John Williams” podcast
Celebrated harpist and USC Thornton Adjunct Professor JoAnn Turovsky was the focus of an L.A. Studio Legends episode of The Legacy of John Williams podcast on July 15. Turovsky can be heard playing the harp solos on the composer’s film scores including Angela’s Ashes, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, Munich and The Book Thief.
Chris Garwood launches online learning platform for violinists
Online classical music education company tonebase, founded by Thornton Classical Guitar program alumnus Chris Garwood (’15), recently launched a learning platform for violinists. The new platform features a curated library of pre-recorded lessons and courses taught by renowned violinists and pedagogues including USC Thornton Jascha Heifetz Chair in Violin Glenn Dicterow, Aleksey Igudesman, Shmuel Ashkenasi,… Continue reading Chris Garwood launches online learning platform for violinists
Ismael Guerrero named 2022-23 Judith and Thomas L. Beckmen LA Phil Resident Fellow
Cellist and Thornton alumnus Ismael Guerrero (M.M. ’22) was named a 2022-23 Judith and Thomas L. Beckmen LA Phil Resident Fellow. The program trains early-career symphonic musicians who represent or serve historically underrepresented groups.
Lenny Hayes debuts at Walt Disney Concert Hall with the Inner City Youth Orchestra
Keyboard Studies doctoral student, graduate teaching assistant and pianist Leonard (Lenny) Hayes was the featured guest artist during a performance with the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles at Walt Disney Concert Hall on July 10. His debut at the storied hall, the performance featured a piano and orchestra arrangement of Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata.”
Daniel Gee named music director of Santa Barbara Youth Symphony
Choral & sacred music alumnus Daniel Gee (MM ’15, DMA ’20) was named music director of the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony. Gee also serves as the director of choral activities and an assistant professor of music at Westmont College in Montecito, California.
Katelyn Vahala named a prize winner at 2022 International Bach Competition
Thornton Keyboard Studies Department doctoral student Katelyn Vahala (’18, MM ’21) was named a Bach prize winner in piano at the 2022 International Johann Sebastian Bach Competition held July 12-23 in Leipzig, Germany. In 2019, Vahala was among the winners of the Rosalyn Tureck International Bach Competition, where she also won the contemporary music award.… Continue reading Katelyn Vahala named a prize winner at 2022 International Bach Competition
Anni Hochhalter releases album with WindSync
French horn performance alumna and international chamber musician Anni Hochhalter (’05) released the album “All Worlds, All Times” with the wind quintet WindSync on the New York label Bright Shiny Things on April 29.
H. Robert Reynolds conducts works by Frank Ticheli and Giovanni Santos at Boston University Tanglewood Institute
On July 31, former principal conductor of the USC Thornton Wind Ensemble H. Robert Reynolds conducts works by USC Thornton Professor of Composition Frank Ticheli and Thornton alumnus Giovanni Santos (MM ’07) at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute.
Garrett McQueen named American Composers Orchestra’s director of artist equity
American Composers Orchestra (ACO) has appointed bassoonist, radio host and USC Thornton alum Garrett McQueen (MM ’12) as its new director of artist equity. According to a press release, McQueen will “play an essential role in the documentation, evaluation and dissemination of ACO’s 40-year history of composer discovery and development, driving composer advancement and programming… Continue reading Garrett McQueen named American Composers Orchestra’s director of artist equity
Billy Childs premieres violin concerto at Grant Park Music Festival
GRAMMY Award-winning artist and Thornton alumnus Billy Childs (’79) premieres his Violin Concerto No. 2 at the Grant Park Music Festival in Chicago on July 15-16. The piece will be performed by the festival’s Project Inclusions String Quartet and features acclaimed violinist Rachel Barton Pine as a soloist. Grant Park Music Festival co-commissioned the composition,… Continue reading Billy Childs premieres violin concerto at Grant Park Music Festival