Michael Tilson Thomas featured in The Wall Street Journal
Michael Tilson Thomas, USC Thornton alum (BM ’67, MM ’76) and Judge Widney Professor of Music at USC, was featured in a profile by The Wall Street Journal for his “mentoring, outreach and repertoire.” Hailed for his consistent embrace of inclusivity and collaboration with his work, Thomas was celebrated for his long-standing career, along with… Continue reading Michael Tilson Thomas featured in The Wall Street Journal
Alan Smith’s concert piece highlighed in Opera News
Alan Smith, chair of Keyboard Studies and director of Keyboard Collaborative Arts, was praised in a recent edition of Opera News for his “stunning concert piece Daniel Boone Sings to the Night Sky.” The article raved that American baritone Matthew Worth’s “rich, warm sound was heard to best advantage” in Smith’s piece.
Mark Weiser’s opera “Where Angels Fear to Tread” reviewed by San Francisco Chronicle and San Jose Mercury News
Composition faculty Mark Weiser’s “Where Angels Fear to Tread” was reviewed by the San Francisco Chronicle and was praised for its “potent and well-made” production, in addition to its “moral and emotional intricacies.” Weiser, who has had his music performed internationally by groups such as the Baltimore and Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and the Oakland East… Continue reading Mark Weiser’s opera “Where Angels Fear to Tread” reviewed by San Francisco Chronicle and San Jose Mercury News
Ken Cazan wins Marlowe Award for production of “Dead Man Walking”
USC Thornton faculty Ken Cazan, chair of the Vocal Arts program and resident stage director of USC Thornton Opera, recently was awarded Denver’s Marlowe Award for his production of Dead Man Walking. Featured in the Central City Opera in Central City, CO, Cazan’s work garnered him the Best Director title. Praised by Opera News for… Continue reading Ken Cazan wins Marlowe Award for production of “Dead Man Walking”
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Elizabeth Ogonek named composer-in-residence at Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Composition alumna Elizabeth Ogonek (MM ’12) was named composer-in-residence at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The Minnesota native will begin her three-year term at the start of the 2015/16 orchestral season. A former student of Thornton Composition Chair, Donald Crockett, Ogonek has seen her work commissioned and performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, the Palo Alto… Continue reading Elizabeth Ogonek named composer-in-residence at Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Keri Hui wins first prize in Cœur d’Alene Symphony Young Artist Competition
Senior Keri Hui (BM ’15) was awarded first prize in the Cœur d’Alene Symphony Young Artist Competition in Idaho for her piano performance of Camille Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No.5. In addition to winning the competition, Hui was asked to perform with the orchestra in March. Hui, a student of Thornton faculty Norman Krieger, previously took… Continue reading Keri Hui wins first prize in Cœur d’Alene Symphony Young Artist Competition
Aram Arakelyan accepted into the Fall Island Vocal Arts Seminar
USC Thornton DMA student Aram Arakelyan was accepted into the Fall Island Vocal Arts Seminar this summer in Potsdam, New York. Through a nation-wide audition process, Arakelyan was one of only six singers and three pianists selected for the program. The one-week intensive seminar aims to teach artist-level performers how to pursue the artistry of… Continue reading Aram Arakelyan accepted into the Fall Island Vocal Arts Seminar
Jacquelynne Fontaine starring as Carlotta Giudicelli in the North American tour of Phantom of the Opera
USC Thornton alumna Jacquelynne Fontaine (MM ’08) is starring as Carlotta Giudicelli in the North American tour of Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Phantom of the Opera. Fontaine has appeared in many productions including The King and I, La Boheme and The Sound of Music. The tour began this January in Florida and will stop in… Continue reading Jacquelynne Fontaine starring as Carlotta Giudicelli in the North American tour of Phantom of the Opera
Andrew Norman evokes Frank Gehry’s iconic Santa Monica home in a new work, “Frank’s House”
USC Thornton faculty Andrew Norman was profiled in the Los Angeles Times about “Frank’s House,” a new piece the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra will premiere on Thursday, Feb. 5, in a sold-out concert. The new piece, for four musicians, tries to evoke the iconic Gehry home in Santa Monica that the architect bought in 1978… Continue reading Andrew Norman evokes Frank Gehry’s iconic Santa Monica home in a new work, “Frank’s House”