Posts Tagged ‘Composition’


Photo of composer Billy Childs sitting in front of a piano.

Billy Childs premieres saxophone concerto with Kansas City Symphony

March 16, 2023

USC Thornton Composition program alumnus Billy Childs (BM ‘79) premiered his saxophone concerto with the Kansas City Symphony on Feb. 10. The concerto was conducted by Ruth Reinhardt and performed by saxophonist Steven Banks, as well as co-commissioned by nine major American orchestras including Kansas City Symphony. According to Classical Kansas City, Childs drew inspiration… Continue reading Billy Childs premieres saxophone concerto with Kansas City Symphony


Music students smile holding their instruments in front of a colorful background.

Young Artist Projects: Redesigning the Classical World

March 9, 2023

Stay tuned in the coming days for a series of profiles of Thornton students who combine creativity and passion to create their Young Artist Projects.


Photo of pianist performing in a rehearsal with an orchestra.

Moment of Possibilities

February 22, 2023

The USC Thornton Symphony’s annual “New Music for Orchestra” concert features original work from Thornton’s acclaimed Composition program.


Photo collage of musicians and composers in performance attire in front of a green watercolor background.

Reclamation through Resistance, Rebirth through Reconciliation

February 17, 2023

USC Thornton celebrates Black History Month with a playlist on Spotify.


Portrait of Michael Abels

Thornton alumni win at African American Film Critics Association Awards

February 16, 2023

Two USC Thornton alumni have received awards at the 14th Annual African American Film Critics Association Awards (AAFCA), which honors outstanding achievement in film. Screen Scoring alum Ludwig Göransson (GCRT ‘08) won Best Song for “Life Me Up” from the film, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Composition alum Michael Abels (BM ‘84) has been named a… Continue reading Thornton alumni win at African American Film Critics Association Awards


Formal portrait of Billy Childs dressed in black

Billy Childs composition to be featured at “Treelogy” concert

February 14, 2023

GRAMMY Award-winning artist and USC Thornton Composition program alumnus Billy Childs (BM ‘79) will premiere a piece honoring endangered California trees in a three-part concert, Treelogy, on Feb. 23, 2023. Treelogy’s music series will tour California to raise awareness of the state’s trees in response to the unprecedented rise in wildfires. Childs is one of… Continue reading Billy Childs composition to be featured at “Treelogy” concert


Photo of piano keys

Alumni garner nominations for 2023 Society of Composers and Lyricists Awards

February 9, 2023

Three USC Thornton alumni have been nominated for the 4th Society of Composers and Lyricists Awards. Composition alum Michael Abels (BM ‘84) was nominated for Outstanding Score for a Studio Film with Nope. Composition alum Bear McCreary (BM ‘02) was nominated for Outstanding Score for a Television Production with The Lord of the Rings: Rings… Continue reading Alumni garner nominations for 2023 Society of Composers and Lyricists Awards


Photo of Frank Ticheli conducting a symphony orchestra

Swan Song

February 8, 2023

USC Thornton professor of composition Frank Ticheli celebrates an astounding career at Thornton with a concert of his music at Bovard Auditorium.


Colorful illustration of a Grammy Award.

USC Thornton faculty & alumni celebrated at 65th annual Grammy Awards

February 6, 2023

Celebrating the winners, nominees, and performers of the 65th annual Grammy Awards.


Photo collage of an illustrated purple flower and a symphony orchestra.

Spring 2023 Live Events Preview

January 26, 2023

The spring 2023 semester holds a tremendous array of live programs on campus and in Los Angeles.