Alumnus Matthew Howard named principal percussionist for LA Phil
USC Thornton alumnus Matthew Howard (BM ’12) has been named principal percussionist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic (LA Phil). After completing his undergraduate degree at Thornton under director of Percussion Studies Joseph Pereira and James Babor, Howard went on to earn his master’s degree from the New England Conservatory. Most recently, Howard was a percussionist… Continue reading Alumnus Matthew Howard named principal percussionist for LA Phil
PICF ’16: “The New Yorker” reflects on the Piatigorsky International Cello Festival
Alex Ross, music critic for the New Yorker, has published a review of the Piatigorsky International Cello Festival in the magazine’s June 6/13 issue. Surveying the Festival’s programming in the context of both repertory and style, Ross highlighted soloists Yo-Yo Ma, Mischa Maisky, Sol Gabetta, Zuill Bailey, David Geringas, Thomas Demenga, Jean-Guihen Queyras, Colin Carr,… Continue reading PICF ’16: “The New Yorker” reflects on the Piatigorsky International Cello Festival
Oboist Allan Vogel retires from the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
Oboist Allan Vogel, a member of the USC Thornton Winds & Percussion faculty, has retired as principal oboe with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) after 44 years with the ensemble. Called “an aristocrat of his instrument, an oboe virtuoso with few equals,” by the Los Angeles Times, Vogel joined LACO in 1972 and was… Continue reading Oboist Allan Vogel retires from the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
PICF ’16: Festival Media Roundup #3
The festival has offered a remarkable week of music making and has a full schedule through the weekend. The Huffington Post has already published a list of “Ten Essential Picks for the Piatigorsky International Cello Festival.” Where Magazine featured the festival under the “Hot Dates” section of its April issue and included it online as… Continue reading PICF ’16: Festival Media Roundup #3
PICF ’16: Finding the body and soul of the cello
The Los Angeles Times reviewed the many events that occurred over the Festival’s opening weekend, from the three concerto concerts at Walt Disney Concert Hall to an opening night gala at USC’s Bovard Auditorium. Music critic Mark Swed wrote that “…Sunday, the first full day of the festival, a bevy of spectacular cellists used the… Continue reading PICF ’16: Finding the body and soul of the cello
Alumni, students take medals at Fischoff Chamber Music Competition
USC Thornton alumni and students fared well at the 43rd Annual Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition held May 6-8 at the University of Notre Dame. The WindSync wind ensemble, which includes alumni Anni Hochhalter (’09, horn) and Jack Marquardt (’09, clarinet), took the Gold Medal in the Senior Wind Division and will undertake a winner’s… Continue reading Alumni, students take medals at Fischoff Chamber Music Competition
Matthew Mason to premiere composition at San Antonio competition
Matthew Mason, a non-degreed alumnus of the USC Thornton Keyboard Studies program, was commissioned to compose a work for the San Antonio International Piano Competition, which will take place this June. Each of the five competition finalists will perform Mason’s commissioned piano work, the world premiere of which will take place at the quadrennial event.… Continue reading Matthew Mason to premiere composition at San Antonio competition
Jenny Wong named assistant conductor of the Los Angeles Master Chorale
Jenny Wong (MM ’13, choral), a DMA candidate in the USC Thornton Choral & Sacred Music program, has been named assistant conductor of the Los Angeles Master Chorale (LAMC). She has previously served as a conducting fellow for the Oregon Bach Festival, Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, the Distinguished Concerts International New York,… Continue reading Jenny Wong named assistant conductor of the Los Angeles Master Chorale
James Newton Howard to score new Rowling film
James Newton Howard, GRAMMY Award winning film composer and USC Thornton alumnus, has been selected to score the newest film in the Harry Potter franchise, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Howard’s previous credits include eight Academy Award nominations for work on films such as Defiance, Michael Clayton, My Best Friend’s Wedding, and One… Continue reading James Newton Howard to score new Rowling film
Alumnus Richard Bernstein receives Metropolitan Opera Service Award
Each year, the Metropolitan Opera convenes an event to honor those individuals who have reached milestones in their careers with the venerable New York City institution. Operatic bass and USC Thornton alumnus Richard Bernstein (’89, Vocal Arts) has completed his 20th year as a solo artist with company and was recognized at the Met Service… Continue reading Alumnus Richard Bernstein receives Metropolitan Opera Service Award