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
Ted Hearne releases new album “Hazy Heart Pump”
Composition faculty member Ted Hearne has released a new album, “Hazy Heart Pump,” from New Focus Recordings. The album of chamber works includes unique collaborations between Hearne and other performers, such as a piece with renowned poet Saul Williams in which Hearne composed music around Williams’ reading of a spoken word poem. The album also… Continue reading Ted Hearne releases new album “Hazy Heart Pump”
Frank Ticheli and Morten Lauridsen featured on PBS show
A new SoCal PBS show called American Voices featuring three Southern California composers, including Composition faculty member Frank Ticheli, will premiere on Nov. 1 at 8:30 p.m. American Voices will focus on Ticheli, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Composition Morten Lauridsen, and Eric Whitacre and their journeys of being American choral composers who are prominent in… Continue reading Frank Ticheli and Morten Lauridsen featured on PBS show
Alexander Miller stages multi-media performance about lost LA landmarks
USC Thornton alumnus Alexander Miller (DMA ’10) will perform a multi-media project To…Oblivion: Historic Landmarks Around Los Angeles for the first time in its entirety on Friday, October 25 at Boston Court Pasadena. Using electric guitar and audio and visual effects, Miller’s performance will explore six LA landmarks that have been irreparably altered or destroyed.… Continue reading Alexander Miller stages multi-media performance about lost LA landmarks
Austin Wintory scores new game “John Wick Hex”
Composition alum Austin Wintory (’07) has composed the music of “John Wick Hex,” a new video game based on the popular John Wick movie series. Wintory is best known for his GRAMMY-nominated score for the game “Journey” and his score for “Assassin’s Creed Syndicate.” Lionsgate and game developer Bithell Games made the announcement of Wintory’s… Continue reading Austin Wintory scores new game “John Wick Hex”
USC Thornton faculty and alumni enter GRAMMY Award consideration
A number of Thornton faculty and alumni have entered consideration for GRAMMY award nominations. Jazz Studies faculty member Sara Gazarek’s album Thirsty Ghost is up for consideration in multiple categories including Best Jazz Vocal Album. Alumnus Gernot Wolfgang’s (GCRT ’94) chamber music album, Vienna and the West, was entered in the Best Classical Compendium category.… Continue reading USC Thornton faculty and alumni enter GRAMMY Award consideration