Composition students, faculty win American Academy of Arts & Letters Awards
Two doctoral candidates and a faculty member of the USC Thornton Composition program have received awards from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. DMA candidate Brett Banducci received the $10,000 Andrew Imbrie Award for “a composer of demonstrated artistic merit.” DMA candidate Thomas Kotcheff (MM ’12) and faculty member Jeffrey Parola were each awarded… Continue reading Composition students, faculty win American Academy of Arts & Letters Awards
Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra profiled in the L.A. Times
The Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra, a conductorless ensemble founded by clarinetist and USC Thornton Arts Leadership student Benjamin Mitchell with alumnus Michael Kaufman (DMA ’14, MM ’12, cello), was profiled in the Los Angeles Times in advance of its February 28th performance at Glendale City Church. The ensemble will conclude its season on April 9th and… Continue reading Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra profiled in the L.A. Times
Norman Krieger saves the day as last-minute replacement with San Antonio Symphony
Norman Krieger, professor of Keyboard Studies at USC Thornton, recently stepped in for two performances of Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1 with the San Antonio Symphony and maestro Sebastian Lang-Lessing, March 4th and 5th. The previously scheduled pianist, Peter Serkin, was forced to cancel due to illness. A veteran touring performer, Krieger took a last-minute… Continue reading Norman Krieger saves the day as last-minute replacement with San Antonio Symphony
Guitarist and film scoring student Tim Callobre profiled in OZY
USC Thornton Scoring for Motion Pictures & Television (SMPTV) graduate student Tim Callobre (BA ’15, Music) was recently profiled in OZY magazine, which detailed his prodigious experience as a classical guitarist and his growing body of work in film scoring. Callobre has previously received a composition fellowship with the Los Angeles Philharmonic (LAPhil) and has… Continue reading Guitarist and film scoring student Tim Callobre profiled in OZY
Yelena Dyachek wins Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions
Soprano Yelena Dyachek, a Graduate Certificate candidate in the USC Thornton Vocal Arts & Opera program, was selected as a winner at the Grand Finals of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in New York City this past weekend. The Grand Finals are widely considered to be among nation’s most prestigious vocal competitions, regularly launching… Continue reading Yelena Dyachek wins Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions
USC Thornton to host the 2016 Essentials of Orchestra Management program
For the second year in a row, USC Thornton will partner with the League of American Orchestras to host the Essentials of Orchestra Management, an immersive seminar for emerging orchestra administrators. The ten-day residential program, featuring workshops, lectures, concert-excursions, and community events, will take place on the USC campus from July 12-21, 2016. The faculty… Continue reading USC Thornton to host the 2016 Essentials of Orchestra Management program
Violinist Zhe Song joins the Spokane Symphony
USC Thornton alumna Zhe Song (GCRT ’15) has joined the Spokane Symphony in Spokane, Washington as a second violin. A native of Tianjin, China, Song has trained as a violinist since the age of three. She began her training at the Affiliated School of the Tianjin Conservatory of Music before completing both her Bachelor’s and… Continue reading Violinist Zhe Song joins the Spokane Symphony
Cynthia Munzer presents vocal workshop with Music Center
Vocal Arts & Opera faculty member Cynthia Munzer recently presented a day-long vocal master class at the Los Angeles Music Center as part of the Center’s Spotlight Academy, an annual free day of performing arts workshops for students, parents and teachers. The Academy invites arts leaders, such as Broadway star Karen Morrow, jazz icon Arturo… Continue reading Cynthia Munzer presents vocal workshop with Music Center
Daily Trojan explores Music@RushHour series with Mak Grgić
The Daily Trojan, USC’s student-run newspaper, profiled USC Thornton’s weekly Music@RushHour concert series in their February 25th issue. The regular Wednesday concerts, which are coordinated by Classical Guitar doctoral candidate Mak Grgić (pictured), aim to provide a relaxing and engaging respite to USC students, faculty, and staff, who might otherwise by struggling through rush hour… Continue reading Daily Trojan explores Music@RushHour series with Mak Grgić
Andrew Norman premieres work with Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Phil
Andrew Norman, a member of the USC Thornton Composition faculty, premiered a work with the Los Angeles Philharmonic (LA Phil), under conductor Gustavo Dudamel, last week. Norman’s Play: Level 1 is adapted from his 2013 orchestral cycle, Play, which echoes the exuberantly frenetic, startlingly disjointed experience of video game-play, and which was recorded on CD… Continue reading Andrew Norman premieres work with Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Phil