Juan Pablo Contreras and Sarah Gibson discuss their craft in LACO roundtable
Doctoral candidate Juan Pablo Contreras and alum Sarah Gibson, both accomplished composers, appeared in the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra’s first installment of “Table Talk,” a series of roundtable discussions. Originally recorded in February, before safer at home orders took effect, Contreras and Gibson are joined by José Enrique González Medina and Derrick Spiva Jr. in… Continue reading Juan Pablo Contreras and Sarah Gibson discuss their craft in LACO roundtable
Thornton students talk transition to remote classes with Daily Trojan
In an article published April 13, the Daily Trojan interviewed students from USC Thornton and other USC performing arts schools about the unique challenges they faced in the transition to remote instruction, and how they and their instructors have adapted to the new format. Dominic Anzalone, a sophomore in the Popular Music program, told the… Continue reading Thornton students talk transition to remote classes with Daily Trojan
Thornton artists compose new works for online commissioning project “Alone Together”
USC Thornton student, alumni and faculty artists have joined violinist Jennifer Koh’s collaborative online commissioning project, Alone Together, created as a way to bring composers together to create new music for live streamed performances while social distancing. The project has received acclaim for its ingenuity and proactive approach to elevating the work of composers during… Continue reading Thornton artists compose new works for online commissioning project “Alone Together”
Award-winning documentary scored by Cody Westheimer to make TV debut in honor of Earth Day
“The Story of Plastic,” an award-winning documentary scored by USC Thornton Composition alum Cody Westheimer (BM ’01) alongside Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, will make its U.S. television debut on Discovery Channel in honor of Earth Day. The documentary, directed by Deia Schlosberg, was premiered at the Mill Valley Movie Pageant and won the Viewers… Continue reading Award-winning documentary scored by Cody Westheimer to make TV debut in honor of Earth Day
Daily Trojan highlights Live! From Somewhere performance series
The Daily Trojan, USC’s student-led newspaper, recently highlighted USC Thornton’s new video series, Live! From Somewhere. The series was launched on March 16 in response to recent closures and event cancellations, and as the school’s artists have looked for ways to continue making music while social distancing. Live! From Somewhere presents homemade performances by Thornton… Continue reading Daily Trojan highlights Live! From Somewhere performance series
HOCKET announced as new Piano Spheres Core Artist
USC Thornton alumni duo HOCKET has been named the latest addition to Piano Spheres’ roster of Core Artists, the first to be added to the concert series’ roster in 26 years. Piano Spheres was founded in 1994 by pianist and former USC faculty member Leonard Stein with the goal of showcasing new music for the… Continue reading HOCKET announced as new Piano Spheres Core Artist
Thornton artists feature prominently in LACO’s recently announced 2020-21 season
The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) has announced its 2020-21 season, the “Season of the Violin,” which prominently features a number of USC Thornton artists, many of whom have enjoyed long relationships with the orchestra. Nov. 14 and 15, Keyboard Studies faculty member and LACO’S Conductor Laureate Jeffrey Kahane, who previously served for 20 years… Continue reading Thornton artists feature prominently in LACO’s recently announced 2020-21 season
Nina C. Young featured in New York Times review
USC Thornton Composition faculty member Nina C. Young premiered a new composition as a part of the New York Philharmonic’s Project 19 concert series on Feb. 5. Young’s piece, “Tread Softly,” premiered on the opening night of the series, and was featured by The New York Times. Young, a composer and sound artist who joined… Continue reading Nina C. Young featured in New York Times review
Andrew Prahlow nominated for BAFTA Games Award
Screen Scoring alum Andrew Prahlow’s (GCRT ’11) soundtrack of the video game “Outer Wilds” has been nominated for a 2020 BAFTA Games Award. The nomination follows other recent nods for the game’s music, including a Golden Joystick Award nomination for Best Audio and a Jerry Goldsmith Award nomination for Best Score. Prahlow’s music for the… Continue reading Andrew Prahlow nominated for BAFTA Games Award
Nicholas Bentz wins first prize at Tribeca New Music’s Young Composer Competition
USC Thornton Composition master’s student Nicholas Bentz was announced as the first prize winner of the Tribeca New Music 2020 Young Composer Competition in Division 1, for ages 22-35. Bentz’s winning piece is titled “Glimpse,” a quartet for clarinet, violin, cello, and piano. In addition to a monetary award, “Glimpse” will be performed at the… Continue reading Nicholas Bentz wins first prize at Tribeca New Music’s Young Composer Competition