Composer alumnus Tristan Koester finds success with commissions
Composer and Thornton alumnus Tristan Xavier Koester (’15) recently premiered a piece entitled “Memory Fragments” with the Varied Trio, a chamber ensemble featuring Thornton alumni Yuri Inoo (MM ’04, DMA ’09, percussion) and Aron Kallay (DMA ’09, piano). His upcoming work includes recording projects with the trio, as well as traditional Chinese guzheng player Sun… Continue reading Composer alumnus Tristan Koester finds success with commissions
Composer Mark Weiser’s opera named year’s top operatic event
“Where Angels Fear to Tread,” an opera by composer and USC Thornton Composition faculty member Mark Weiser, was named the top operatic event for 2015 by the San Francisco Chronicle (paywall). Premiered in February of 2015 by Opera San Jose, the opera is based on the novel by E.M. Forster and features a libretto by… Continue reading Composer Mark Weiser’s opera named year’s top operatic event
Julia Adolphe to receive Lincoln Center Emerging Artist Award
Julia Adolphe, a doctoral candidate in the USC Thornton Composition program, is one of 12 young artists to receive the 2016 Lincoln Center Emerging Artist Award, which allows each of the organizations on the New York City cultural campus to celebrate a rising star in the performing arts. Selected for distinction by the New York… Continue reading Julia Adolphe to receive Lincoln Center Emerging Artist Award
Alumnus Olivier Ochanine wins international conducting competiton
Conductor Olivier Ochanine (MM ’07, conducting), USC Thornton alumnus and music director of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, has received first prize at the 2015 Antal Doráti International Conducting Competition in Budapest. The prestigious competition, created in honor of the Hungarian-born conductor and composer who became an American citizen in 1947, was held in collaboration with… Continue reading Alumnus Olivier Ochanine wins international conducting competiton
Royce Saltzman receives Lifetime Achievement Award at World Choral Expo
USC Thornton alumnus Royce Saltzman (DMA ’63), a highly esteemed leader in the field of choral music, received the International Federation for Choral Music’s ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ at the World Choral Expo in Macau, China, in November. Saltzman was instrumental in founding IFCM and served as the group’s President for eight years. Saltzman is also… Continue reading Royce Saltzman receives Lifetime Achievement Award at World Choral Expo
Alan L. Smith to join Stephanie Blythe at Carnegie Hall
Alan L. Smith, chair of Keyboard Studies and director of the Keyboard Collaborative Arts program at USC Thornton, will accompany internationally-renowned mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe, at her January 23rd “Sing America” concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The performance will give audience members the opportunity to sing-along with Blythe to classic American songs, including… Continue reading Alan L. Smith to join Stephanie Blythe at Carnegie Hall
Chamber Singers awarded 2015 American Prize
The USC Thornton Chamber Singers, led by Jo-Michael Scheibe, have been awarded the 2015 American Prize in Choral Music in the University/College Division. The American Prize series celebrates artistic excellence in a number of creative disciplines. Formed as the Madrigal Singers in 1939, the Chamber Singers have been hailed as a model of excellence since… Continue reading Chamber Singers awarded 2015 American Prize
Julia Adolphe & USC Thornton’s New Music for Orchestra Program
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_654i2XWK8
MusicalAmerica names Yehuda Gilad one of its Professionals of the Year
Clarinetist and conductor Yehuda Gilad, a member of the USC Thornton Winds and Percussion faculty, has been named one of MusicalAmerica’s Professionals of the Year. In a brief website profile, MusicalAmerica lauded Gilad’s teaching reputation as “second to none” and acknowledged the accomplishments of his former students, many of whom now occupy important positions with… Continue reading MusicalAmerica names Yehuda Gilad one of its Professionals of the Year
The L.A. Times and L.A. Phil celebrate clarinetist Michele Zukovsky
Michele Zukovsky, a member of the USC Thornton Winds and Percussion faculty, will retire from her position as principal clarinetist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic after 54 years with the orchestra. The Los Angeles Times celebrated Zukovsky’s incredible career with a special profile, affectionately noting that she joined the orchestra at 18 – apparently, she… Continue reading The L.A. Times and L.A. Phil celebrate clarinetist Michele Zukovsky