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    Photo of a band of college students performing together.

    Learning Through Collaboration

    January 24, 2025

    Thornton Student Ambassadors Madeline Clara Cheng, Alyssa Holland and Oliviana Marie share highlights from their collaborations as USC Thornton students.


    Composer Austin Wintory conducting an orchestra behind a podium on a sound stage.

    Michael Abels and Austin Wintory commissioned by LACO to create new orchestral works

    December 11, 2024

    USC Thornton alumni Michael Abels (‘84) and Austin Wintory (‘07) were recently commissioned by the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra to compose original orchestral works for the concert hall. LACO received $2 million from the “Joan and Jeff Beal Fund for Living Composers” to commission the composers. Abels is expected to write a concerto for the… Continue reading Michael Abels and Austin Wintory commissioned by LACO to create new orchestral works


    Photo of a woman in a black dress on a red carpet holding an Emmy award.

    Katya Richardson wins New York Emmy for “Keeping the Pinelands” score

    November 6, 2024

    USC Thornton Composition program alumna Katya Richardson (’19) won a New York Emmy Award for composing the score to the PBS special, Keeping the Pinelands. The documentary examines how people are finding new ways to help the forests of the New Jersey Pine Barrens survive. This is the composer’s first Emmy Award. *** Photo credit:… Continue reading Katya Richardson wins New York Emmy for “Keeping the Pinelands” score


    Photograph of seven seated people on an indoor performance stage.

    Robert Alexander’s piece “That Thing” premieres with Stephen F. Austin State University Wind Ensemble

    October 28, 2024

    The Stephen F. Austin (SFA) State University Wind Ensemble premiered USC Thornton Composition alumnus Robert Alexander’s (’18) piece, “That Thing,” on Oct. 15 in the Griffith Fine Arts Building’s Turner Auditorium in Nacogdoches, Texas. The piece was part of the Composing in the Wilderness program, led by adventurer-composer Stephen Lias and offered by the Fairbanks… Continue reading Robert Alexander’s piece “That Thing” premieres with Stephen F. Austin State University Wind Ensemble


    Headshot of Greg Reitan.

    Greg Reitan releases new album, “The Bounding Line”

    October 14, 2024

    Pianist and composer Greg Reitan (‘96) released his new album, The Bounding Line, via Sunnyside Records on Sept. 6. The album features Reitan on piano, Jack Daro (’93, MM ’99) on acoustic bass and Dean Koba (MM ’93) on drums. The ideas for the original compositions on this record emerged during Reitan’s residency at the… Continue reading Greg Reitan releases new album, “The Bounding Line”


    Composer Juan Pablo Contreras standing at a conductor's podium dressed in a concert suit.

    Juan Pablo Contreras’ “La Minerva” receives 2024 Latin Grammy nomination

    September 30, 2024

    Juan Pablo Contreras (DMA ’21), a USC Thornton Composition program faculty member and alumnus, received a Latin Grammy nomination in the Best Classical Contemporary Composition category for his violin concerto, La Minerva. La Minerva was recently performed by Orquesta Latino Mexicana, an ensemble Contreras founded in 2019, and soloist Angélica Olivo. Watch the recording here.… Continue reading Juan Pablo Contreras’ “La Minerva” receives 2024 Latin Grammy nomination


    A group of choral students standing outside a college library in the sunshine wearing black clothes.

    Choral alumni receive new academic appointments

    September 25, 2024

    USC Thornton Choral & Sacred Music program alumni Maura Tuffy (‘19), Duncan Tuomi (MM ’22) and Clara Valenzuela (’20) have received new academic appointments for the 2024-2025 school year. Tuffy was appointed to the adjunct faculty at Fullerton College where she will conduct the Treble Chorale, and teach Beginning Voice and Intro to Musicianship. Tuomi… Continue reading Choral alumni receive new academic appointments


    Composer Katya Richardson holding a potted plant

    Katya Richardson conducts her score from “The Last Repair Shop” in Union Station concert

    September 23, 2024

    USC Thornton Composition program alumna Katya Richardson (’19) conducted her score and Kris Bowers’ themes from The Last Repair Shop in a concert held at Union Station on September 7. Richardson led an ensemble of musicians who also performed on the original documentary soundtrack. Hosted my Metro Art Los Angeles, the community concert included a… Continue reading Katya Richardson conducts her score from “The Last Repair Shop” in Union Station concert


    Composer Juan Pablo Contreras standing at a conductor's podium dressed in a concert suit.

    LA Phil performs Juan Pablo Contreras’ “Mariachitlán” at the Hollywood Bowl

    July 24, 2024

    On July 18, the Los Angeles Philharmonic performed USC Thornton Composition program faculty member Juan Pablo Contreras’ (DMA ’21) Mariachitlán at the Hollywood Bowl. The concert was conducted by Carlos Miguel Prieto. The piece honors Contreras’ birthplace, the Mexican state of Jalisco, where mariachi music originated. Mariachitlán won the 2016 Jalisco Orchestral Composition Contest and… Continue reading LA Phil performs Juan Pablo Contreras’ “Mariachitlán” at the Hollywood Bowl


    Photo of Nina Shekhar standing outside in sunlight.

    New York Philharmonic performs Nina Shekhar’s “Lumina” in China

    July 3, 2024

    On June 28, the New York Philharmonic performed composer Nina Shekhar‘s (MM ’20) “Lumina” at the Guangzhou Opera House in China. Her piece was featured alongside works by Mahler and Brahms. The concert was conducted by music director of the New York Philharmonic, Jaap van Zweden. *** Photo by Shervin Lainez