Thomas Newman receives Oscar nomination for “1917” score
USC Thornton Board of Councilors member and award-winning composer Thomas Newman has been nominated for an Oscar in the category of “Music (Original Score)” for his score of the World War I film “1917”. Newman faced a unique challenge scoring “1917,” which was shot to appear as one continuous take, at an unrelenting pace. The… Continue reading Thomas Newman receives Oscar nomination for “1917” score
Laura Karpman composes music for concert celebrating 100 years of women’s suffrage
Laura Karpman, USC Thornton Screen Scoring faculty member and Emmy-winning composer, will debut a new composition on Jan. 18 at the Lyric Opera of Kansas City’s “…When there are nine,” a production celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment. Karpman and her collaborator, librettist Kelley Rourke, composed the song cycle “And Still We Dream”… Continue reading Laura Karpman composes music for concert celebrating 100 years of women’s suffrage
Veronika Krausas’ “Ghost Opera” named among decade’s best operas
Ghost Opera, a full-length dramatic opera by Composition faculty member Veronika Krausas, was recently named among the best operas of the decade by Opera Canada. Writer Stephan Bonfield praises the production as “aesthetically the most beautiful opera I saw this past decade.” The 2019 co-production between Calgary Opera and Old Trout Puppet Workshop featured artfully… Continue reading Veronika Krausas’ “Ghost Opera” named among decade’s best operas
Thornton alumni end 2019 with awards nominations
Composition alumni Michael Abels (BM ’84) and Austin Wintory (BM ’07), and USC Thornton Board of Councilors member Thomas Newman, are all ending 2019 with nominations for the 2020 awards season. All three composers are nominated for the inaugural SCL Awards, granted by the Society of Composers & Lyricists: Abels’ “Us” score is nominated for… Continue reading Thornton alumni end 2019 with awards nominations
Morten Lauridsen and Grant Gershon discuss 25th anniversary of “O Magnem Mysterium” on KUSC
USC Thornton alum Grant Gershon (BM ’85) and Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Composition and Thornton alum Morten Lauridsen recently appeared on KUSC’s Arts Alive to discuss the Los Angeles Master Chorale’s 25th anniversary of Lauridsen’s “O Magnum Mysterium.” The Master Chorale premiered the iconic work, and will perform it on Sunday, Dec. 15 in celebration… Continue reading Morten Lauridsen and Grant Gershon discuss 25th anniversary of “O Magnem Mysterium” on KUSC
Austin Wintory interviews Bear McCreary about composing for video games
As a guest host of The Game Maker’s Notebook podcast from the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences, Composition alum Austin Wintory (BM ’07) recently interviewed fellow Trojan and video game composer, Screen Scoring alum Bear McCreary (BM ’02). Both composers are widely known for their award-winning video game scores, and even worked together on… Continue reading Austin Wintory interviews Bear McCreary about composing for video games
Adeliia Faizullina named winner of 2020 Celebrate Asia Composition Competition
Composition doctoral candidate Adeliia Faizullina was announced as the winner of the Seattle Symphony’s Celebrate Asia Composition Competition, a competition that invites submissions from emerging composers who find inspiration and influences in Asian culture, music and traditions. Her piece, “Tatar Folk Tales,” will be performed by the Seattle Symphony at the Celebrate Asia concert on… Continue reading Adeliia Faizullina named winner of 2020 Celebrate Asia Composition Competition
Austin Wintory details artistic process behind “Journey” score in new video
Composition alum Austin Wintory (BM ’07) discusses the turbulent but rewarding creative process behind his score of the popular video game “Journey” in a recent video from Polygon. Wintory is an accomplished video game composer whose scores often earn their own fanbase. His score for “Journey” is no different. It debuted on the Billboard charts… Continue reading Austin Wintory details artistic process behind “Journey” score in new video
Nina Shekhar receives Debut Fellowship from Young Musicians Foundation
Composition graduate student Nina Shekhar is one of the first recipients of the Debut Fellowship from the Young Musicians Foundation (YMF). The newly established program aims to empower musical artists who are committed to social justice through arts in education by providing professional development and training in areas vital to building successful initiatives for systemic… Continue reading Nina Shekhar receives Debut Fellowship from Young Musicians Foundation
Thomas Mellan opens Jacaranda Music’s new season
USC Thornton Composition student and Organ Studies alum Thomas Mellan (BM ’17, MM ’19) recently opened Jacaranda Music’s 2019-2020 season in Los Angeles as a resident organist. Mellan performed in Jacaranda’s opening concert, “Organic Rush,” on Sept. 21 alongside organist and conductor Mark Allen Hilt. Mellan will also close the season in June with a… Continue reading Thomas Mellan opens Jacaranda Music’s new season