Vijay Venkatesh talks the importance of channeling life experience into his playing on The Playful Musician podcast
Vijay Venkatesh (‘17), an alumnus of the USC Thornton Keyboard Studies Department, was recently a guest on The Playful Musician podcast. During his conversation with host Steve Davidson, he spoke about the importance of channeling life experiences into his performances. “Channeling life experiences into a piece of music is also paramount to releasing its character.… Continue reading Vijay Venkatesh talks the importance of channeling life experience into his playing on The Playful Musician podcast
Jenny Wong codirects the LA Master Chorale in a program of works by Dale Trumbore, Saunder Choi and Zanaida Robles
USC Thornton Department of Choral & Sacred Music alum Jenny Wong (MM ‘13, DMA ‘17) will be co-directing the Los Angeles Master Chorale on Jan. 30. in City Called Heaven. The program, which takes its name from the famous African American spiritual, will explore themes of homecoming and aspiring toward paradise. It will feature works… Continue reading Jenny Wong codirects the LA Master Chorale in a program of works by Dale Trumbore, Saunder Choi and Zanaida Robles
Thornton alumni win Copland House Residencies
Thornton composition alumni Sarah Gibson (MM ‘10, DMA ‘15), Lansing McLoskey (MM ‘92) and Ali Can Puskulcu (MM ‘18) were selected from a pool of 221 composers as winners of the 2021 Copland House Residency Awards. Every year, the Copland House invites eight to ten American composers to reside at Rock Hill, Aaron Copland’s restored,… Continue reading Thornton alumni win Copland House Residencies
Julia Adolphe premieres violin concerto with LA Phil
Composition DMA student Julia Adolphe (MM ‘12) premiered a violin concerto, “Woven Loom, Silver Spindle,” with the LA Philarmonic in December. She collaborated closely with Martin Chalifour, the LA Phil’s principal concertmaster and a faculty member of the USC Thornton Strings program, on this piece during the 2020 lockdown. This is the second commission that… Continue reading Julia Adolphe premieres violin concerto with LA Phil
USC Thornton alumni and students named “composers and performers to watch” by The Washington Post
USC Thornton alumni and students were recently highlighted in The Washington Post’s round-up of 22 composers and performers to watch in 2022. This list includes current DMA student in composition Rohan Chander, as well as two alumni: choral composer Dale Trumbore (MM’11) and cellist and composer Paul Wiancko (‘05). The Washington Post said “this year’s… Continue reading USC Thornton alumni and students named “composers and performers to watch” by The Washington Post
Matthew Mason premieres piano concerto with Glacier Symphony Orchestra
Piano performance alum and composer Matthew Mason (MM ‘02) will premiere a piano concerto, “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini,” with the Glacier Symphony Orchestra on February 19 and 20. Pianist and fellow Thornton alum Roger Wright will perform as soloist. The 22-minute piano concerto is a unique take on Sergei Rachmaninoff’s composition of the… Continue reading Matthew Mason premieres piano concerto with Glacier Symphony Orchestra
Rohan Chander nominated for a Gaudeamus Award
Thornton DMA student in composition Rohan Chander has been nominated for a 2022 Gaudeamus Award. This award is one of the most prestigious for composers, and it often produces international recognition for its winners. The five nominees were selected by a jury that consisted of Irish composer Ann Cleare; Chinese composer, pianist and vocalist Huang… Continue reading Rohan Chander nominated for a Gaudeamus Award
Jenny Wong conducts a composition by Nina Shekhar with the LA Phil New Music Group
USC Thornton composition alum Nina Shekhar’s (MM ’20) work “Dear Abby” will be performed at Walt Disney Concert Hall Jan. 11 as part of a program highlighting women’s voices and storytelling. Thornton Choral & Sacred Music Department alum Jenny Wong (MM ‘13, DMA ’17) conducts the piece, which examines the impact of enforcing narrow gender… Continue reading Jenny Wong conducts a composition by Nina Shekhar with the LA Phil New Music Group
Thornton students and alumnus accepted into Toronto Mendelssohn Choir’s Choral Conductors’ Symposium
Marcus Desir and Ann Chen, USC Thornton master’s students in choral & sacred music, and Sarah Maria Leung (’15), a Thornton choral & sacred music alumnus, were recently accepted into the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir’s Choral Conductors’ Symposium. Each year, the program selects five emerging conductors to come to Toronto to study with Jean-Sébastien Vallée, the… Continue reading Thornton students and alumnus accepted into Toronto Mendelssohn Choir’s Choral Conductors’ Symposium
Thornton musicians bring holiday cheer to concerts across L.A. area
Thornton faculty, alumni and students are bringing the holiday cheer to Los Angeles County this month and next through a multitude of holiday concerts. The USC Thornton Department of Choral and Sacred Music presents its annual Winter Gala, a special livestreamed event, Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. The New Hollywood String Quartet, featuring Thornton Strings… Continue reading Thornton musicians bring holiday cheer to concerts across L.A. area