Camae Ayewa receives local acclaim in Minneapolis and Philadelphia
USC Thornton Composition program faculty member Camae Ayewa (Moor Mother) was named on a list of the “Top 10 Classical Music Events of 2024” by the Minneapolis Star Tribune. “In one of the most powerful artistic experiences I’ve had this century, the audaciously courageous composer and poet Camae Ayewa and seven musicians confronted the legacy… Continue reading Camae Ayewa receives local acclaim in Minneapolis and Philadelphia
Learning Through Collaboration
Thornton Student Ambassadors Madeline Clara Cheng, Alyssa Holland and Oliviana Marie share highlights from their collaborations as USC Thornton students.
Michael Abels and Austin Wintory commissioned by LACO to create new orchestral works
USC Thornton alumni Michael Abels (‘84) and Austin Wintory (‘07) were recently commissioned by the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra to compose original orchestral works for the concert hall. LACO received $2 million from the “Joan and Jeff Beal Fund for Living Composers” to commission the composers. Abels is expected to write a concerto for the… Continue reading Michael Abels and Austin Wintory commissioned by LACO to create new orchestral works
Katya Richardson wins New York Emmy for “Keeping the Pinelands” score
USC Thornton Composition program alumna Katya Richardson (’19) won a New York Emmy Award for composing the score to the PBS special, Keeping the Pinelands. The documentary examines how people are finding new ways to help the forests of the New Jersey Pine Barrens survive. This is the composer’s first Emmy Award. *** Photo credit:… Continue reading Katya Richardson wins New York Emmy for “Keeping the Pinelands” score
Robert Alexander’s piece “That Thing” premieres with Stephen F. Austin State University Wind Ensemble
The Stephen F. Austin (SFA) State University Wind Ensemble premiered USC Thornton Composition alumnus Robert Alexander’s (’18) piece, “That Thing,” on Oct. 15 in the Griffith Fine Arts Building’s Turner Auditorium in Nacogdoches, Texas. The piece was part of the Composing in the Wilderness program, led by adventurer-composer Stephen Lias and offered by the Fairbanks… Continue reading Robert Alexander’s piece “That Thing” premieres with Stephen F. Austin State University Wind Ensemble
Greg Reitan releases new album, “The Bounding Line”
Pianist and composer Greg Reitan (‘96) released his new album, The Bounding Line, via Sunnyside Records on Sept. 6. The album features Reitan on piano, Jack Daro (’93, MM ’99) on acoustic bass and Dean Koba (MM ’93) on drums. The ideas for the original compositions on this record emerged during Reitan’s residency at the… Continue reading Greg Reitan releases new album, “The Bounding Line”
Juan Pablo Contreras’ “La Minerva” receives 2024 Latin Grammy nomination
Juan Pablo Contreras (DMA ’21), a USC Thornton Composition program faculty member and alumnus, received a Latin Grammy nomination in the Best Classical Contemporary Composition category for his violin concerto, La Minerva. La Minerva was recently performed by Orquesta Latino Mexicana, an ensemble Contreras founded in 2019, and soloist Angélica Olivo. Watch the recording here.… Continue reading Juan Pablo Contreras’ “La Minerva” receives 2024 Latin Grammy nomination
Choral alumni receive new academic appointments
USC Thornton Choral & Sacred Music program alumni Maura Tuffy (‘19), Duncan Tuomi (MM ’22) and Clara Valenzuela (’20) have received new academic appointments for the 2024-2025 school year. Tuffy was appointed to the adjunct faculty at Fullerton College where she will conduct the Treble Chorale, and teach Beginning Voice and Intro to Musicianship. Tuomi… Continue reading Choral alumni receive new academic appointments
Katya Richardson conducts her score from “The Last Repair Shop” in Union Station concert
USC Thornton Composition program alumna Katya Richardson (’19) conducted her score and Kris Bowers’ themes from The Last Repair Shop in a concert held at Union Station on September 7. Richardson led an ensemble of musicians who also performed on the original documentary soundtrack. Hosted my Metro Art Los Angeles, the community concert included a… Continue reading Katya Richardson conducts her score from “The Last Repair Shop” in Union Station concert
LA Phil performs Juan Pablo Contreras’ “Mariachitlán” at the Hollywood Bowl
On July 18, the Los Angeles Philharmonic performed USC Thornton Composition program faculty member Juan Pablo Contreras’ (DMA ’21) Mariachitlán at the Hollywood Bowl. The concert was conducted by Carlos Miguel Prieto. The piece honors Contreras’ birthplace, the Mexican state of Jalisco, where mariachi music originated. Mariachitlán won the 2016 Jalisco Orchestral Composition Contest and… Continue reading LA Phil performs Juan Pablo Contreras’ “Mariachitlán” at the Hollywood Bowl