The Yellowjackets release 25th album, Jackets XL
The Yellowjackets, an iconic GRAMMY Award-winning jazz quartet that includes three USC Thornton faculty members – saxophonist Bob Mintzer, keyboardist Russell Ferrante, and drummer Will Kennedy – have released their 25th album entitled Jackets XL. The album pairs the talents of the quartet with the WDR Big Band of Cologne, Germany, which Mintzer has led… Continue reading The Yellowjackets release 25th album, Jackets XL
Billy Childs featured in DownBeat Magazine
USC Thornton alum and GRAMMY Award-winning composer and pianist Billy Childs (BM ‘79) was recently featured in a DownBeat Magazine article about how he embraces music outside of boundaries and genres. The article reflects on the influence the Los Angeles jazz and improvisational music scenes had on Childs’ “borderless concept of music,” particularly in his… Continue reading Billy Childs featured in DownBeat Magazine
Ted Herne’s Farming awarded Pew Center for Arts & Heritage grant
The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage recently announced a $360,000 project grant for Farming, a forthcoming new work by Composition faculty member Ted Hearne produced with The Crossing chamber choir. The concert-length work will premiere in the summer of 2023 with a performance at Kings Oaks Farm, a sustainable farm located in Bucks County,… Continue reading Ted Herne’s Farming awarded Pew Center for Arts & Heritage grant
Peter Shin announced as 2020-2021 Sound Investment composer
Peter Shin (MM ’17), an alum of USC Thornton’s Composition program, was announced this summer as the newest Sound Investment Composer in the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra’s Sound Investment program, a commissioning club enabling supporters to sponsor the work of each season’s featured composer and follow the composer’s creative process from start to finish. Shin’s… Continue reading Peter Shin announced as 2020-2021 Sound Investment composer
Leaha Maria Villarreal’s “The Warmth of Other Suns” to air on Bang on a Can Marathon concert
USC Thornton doctoral student Leaha Maria Villarreal’s “The Warmth of Other Suns,” performed by violinist Andie Tanning, will be featured in the Bang on a Can Marathon concert on Sunday, Oct. 18. The 6-hour virtual concert begins at 12:00 p.m. PDT, with Villarreal’s piece airing during a set of performances beginning at 2:00 p.m. PDT.… Continue reading Leaha Maria Villarreal’s “The Warmth of Other Suns” to air on Bang on a Can Marathon concert
HOCKET interviewed by San Francisco Classical Voice
USC Thornton alumni Sarah Gibson (MM ‘10, DMA ‘15) and Thomas Kotcheff (MM ‘12, DMA ‘19), of piano duo HOCKET, were recently interviewed by San Francisco Classical Voice. The duo discusses the importance of art during this time, their upcoming work, and their celebrated commission series #What2020SoundsLike. “We wanted to bring us all together through… Continue reading HOCKET interviewed by San Francisco Classical Voice
Roger Neill discusses remote screen scoring with Variety
Roger Neill (BM ‘86), an alum of USC Thornton’s Composition program, was recently interviewed for Variety’s Songs for Screens column about his approach to scoring film and television projects remotely. In the interview, Neill discusses how he drew from his network of session musicians to create a virtual orchestra for the score of the HBO… Continue reading Roger Neill discusses remote screen scoring with Variety
Michael Abels and Laura Karpman quoted in Variety
Composition alum Michael Abels (BM ’84) and Screen Scoring faculty member Laura Karpman were recently quoted in a Variety article about the increase in the diversity of the Emmy Awards’ music categories. Abels and Karpman are both award-winning composers and founders of organizations that work to support underrepresented composers in film and television. Abels, who… Continue reading Michael Abels and Laura Karpman quoted in Variety
Grant Gershon shares advice for virtual choirs
In a recent KCET article, USC Thornton alum Grant Gershon (BM ‘85), artistic director of the Los Angeles Master Chorale (LAMC), shares advice and lessons learned while conducting choirs virtually during the pandemic. Choir directors like Gershon have transitioned to edited ensemble performances, with choir members recording their parts individually from home. The solution requires… Continue reading Grant Gershon shares advice for virtual choirs
Billy Childs discusses upcoming album in JazzTimes interview
USC Thornton alum and GRAMMY Award-nominated artist Billy Childs (BM ’79) is set to release a new album on Aug. 28, and reflects on its influences in a recent JazzTimes interview. Childs reminisces on the artists and projects that have inspired his music, such as his time playing at World Stage, a historic art and… Continue reading Billy Childs discusses upcoming album in JazzTimes interview