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
Juhi Bansal commissioned by the Oregon Mozart Players
Composition alum Juhi Bansal (BM ‘06, MM ‘08, DMA ‘12) has been commissioned by the Oregon Mozart Players to compose an orchestral work to be premiered in spring 2022. The piece is inspired by the whale songs Bansal heard when she went diving with humpback whales. Bansal is leading a series of salons over the… Continue reading Juhi Bansal commissioned by the Oregon Mozart Players
Erika Poh scores string arrangment for K-pop singer CL
Sophomore Thornton composition student Erika Poh scored a string arrangement for K-Pop singer CL’s song “Siren,” which is featured on her newest album, Alpha. Poh co-arranged the piece with Josh Wei at Snakewood Studios in Singapore, and the score was performed by a quartet of Singapore Symphony Orchestra players. Alpha was released on October 20… Continue reading Erika Poh scores string arrangment for K-pop singer CL
Neil Stipp’s “Symphony Capriccio” premiered in Moldova
Earlier this year, Thornton alum Neil Stipp (MM ‘78) had his “Symphony Capriccio” premiered in the capital city of Moldova by the Symphonic Orchestra of the National Philharmonic. A recording of the premiere concert can be found here and is also available on Phasama Music’s “Chisinau 1 — New Music for Orchestra.” Stipp is a… Continue reading Neil Stipp’s “Symphony Capriccio” premiered in Moldova
Paul Hodgins recognized for coining term ‘choreomusical’ in The Journal of Music Theory
USC Thornton faculty member Paul Hodgins was credited for coining the term “choreomusical” in a recent issue of the Journal of Music Theory. He first used the term in his 1992 doctoral dissertation, which discussed and analyzed the relationship between choreography and music. “Hodgins coined the term choreomusical, which has since been modified by others… Continue reading Paul Hodgins recognized for coining term ‘choreomusical’ in The Journal of Music Theory
USC Thornton Composition faculty members awarded MacDowell Fellowships
USC Thornton Composition faculty members Ted Hearne and Nina C. Young have been awarded fellowships from MacDowell, the nation’s first artist residency program. This fellowship program recognizes artistic excellence across a range of seven disciplines and provides creative individuals with the necessary resources to create “enduring works of the imagination.” Young and Hearne were selected… Continue reading USC Thornton Composition faculty members awarded MacDowell Fellowships