Austin Wintory composed score for “Eternal Strands”
USC Thornton Composition program alumnus Austin Wintory (‘07) composed the score for the video game “Eternal Strands,” developed by Yellow Brick Games. “Eternal Strands” is a fantasy, action-adventure video game starring a female protagonist with magical abilities who must save the world. “This was about four years of collaboration and joyous experimentation,” Wintory shared in… Continue reading Austin Wintory composed score for “Eternal Strands”
SAKURA Cello Quintet debuts Donald Crockett’s “Carving an Alphabet”
On May 18, the SAKURA Cello Quintet gave the debut performance of Carving an Alphabet, a set of 12 madrigals for five cellos, written by USC Thornton Chair of Composition Donald Crockett for New Music USA. The SAKURA Cello Quintet consists of Thornton alumni Stella Cho (’12, MM ’14, DMA ’22), Michael Kaufman (MM ’12,… Continue reading SAKURA Cello Quintet debuts Donald Crockett’s “Carving an Alphabet”
Quenton Blache released debut studio recording, “To Whom I Pray”
USC Thornton composition and cello performance alumnus Quenton Blache (‘23) released his debut studio recording, “To Whom I Pray,” as a premiere on I CARE IF YOU LISTEN, the award-winning multimedia hub for living music creators powered by American Composers Forum (ACF). Written for string quintet and electronics, the piece is a collaboration between the… Continue reading Quenton Blache released debut studio recording, “To Whom I Pray”
Gibson Mahnke’s “Through this ocean glass” premieres at Hear Now Music Festival
USC Thornton Composition program student Gibson Mahnke’s piece Through this ocean glass premiered at the Hear Now Music Festival on April 13. The festival, which took place at 2200 Arts + Archives in Los Angeles, is one of several concerts spotlighting primarily young composers involved with university music programs. The next concert takes place at… Continue reading Gibson Mahnke’s “Through this ocean glass” premieres at Hear Now Music Festival
Amanda Nova plays with Yo-Yo Ma at fundraiser celebration for LAUSD instrument repair program
USC Thornton Keyboard Studies program student Amanda Nova played with cellist Yo-Yo Ma at a fundraiser event on April 6, celebrating a $1 million gift to “The Last Repair Shop” campaign. Donations to the fundraiser will help safeguard the Los Angeles Unified School District’s (LAUSD) program providing 130,000 free, repaired instruments for students. A Fairfax… Continue reading Amanda Nova plays with Yo-Yo Ma at fundraiser celebration for LAUSD instrument repair program
Tyler Eschendal premiered “ACTIONS” at Lineage Performing Arts Center
USC Thornton Composition program alumnus Tyler Eschendal (MM ’18) premiered his latest work, “ACTIONS,” at the Lineage Performing Arts Center in Pasadena on March 29-30. According to the program note, “ACTIONS” is part of five interconnected movements exploring the musicality of speech and communication. Each movement presents a different verbal or physical action (Arguing, Acting,… Continue reading Tyler Eschendal premiered “ACTIONS” at Lineage Performing Arts Center
Oliviana Marie Wins Collegiate Composition Competition
USC Thornton Composition program student Oliviana Marie received two awards at the inaugural Ruth Wales duPont Collegiate Composition Competition presented by American Pops Orchestra (APO), winning first prize in the Popular Music Division and the Audience Selection Award for her original piece, “Azalea Woods.” The debut APO performance of all six finalists’ compositions in both… Continue reading Oliviana Marie Wins Collegiate Composition Competition
Juan Pablo Contreras named co-chair of New Music USA’s Board of Directors
Juan Pablo Contreras (DMA ’21), a USC Thornton Composition program faculty member and alumnus, was named the new co-chair of New Music USA’s Board of Directors alongside Anne-Marie Spataru, effective July 1, 2025. Contreras and Spataru will guide New Music USA into its next chapter, as the organization’s Board begins recruitment for its next president… Continue reading Juan Pablo Contreras named co-chair of New Music USA’s Board of Directors
Camae Ayewa Receives Acclaim in Minneapolis & Philadelphia
USC Thornton Composition program faculty member Camae Ayewa (Moor Mother) was named on a list of the “Top 10 Classical Music Events of 2024” by the Minneapolis Star Tribune. “In one of the most powerful artistic experiences I’ve had this century, the audaciously courageous composer and poet Camae Ayewa and seven musicians confronted the legacy… Continue reading Camae Ayewa Receives Acclaim in Minneapolis & Philadelphia
Learning Through Collaboration
Thornton Student Ambassadors Madeline Clara Cheng, Alyssa Holland and Oliviana Marie share highlights from their collaborations as USC Thornton students.