Bear McCreary composes score for Disney+ series, “Percy Jackson and the Olympians”
USC Thornton Composition program alumnus Bear McCreary (’02) composed the score for the Disney+ television series, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, which premiered on Dec. 20. The series follows the demigod Percy Jackson when he must embark on a dangerous quest to return Zeus’ master bolt. The first season of Percy Jackson and the Olympians… Continue reading Bear McCreary composes score for Disney+ series, “Percy Jackson and the Olympians”
Katya Richardson co-composed score for “The Last Repair Shop”
USC Thornton Composition program alumna Katya Richardson (’19) co-composed the score for The Last Repair Shop, a Los Angeles Times and Searchlight Pictures production. The soundtrack was nominated for Best Score in the eighth annual Critics Choice Documentary Awards. Directed by USC School of Cinematic Arts alum Ben Proudfoot and Kris Bowers, the Oscar-nominated short… Continue reading Katya Richardson co-composed score for “The Last Repair Shop”
Ludwig Göransson earns Academy Award nomination while USC Thornton alumni and faculty are featured in nominated films
Alumni and faculty from across the music departments and programs of USC Thornton were well represented in the 2024 Oscar nominations, announced on January 23. Ludwig Göransson (GCRT ’08) earned his third nomination in the Best Original Score category for Oppenheimer while composition alum Katya Richardson (’19) composed the score to Best Documentary Short nominee The Last Repair… Continue reading Ludwig Göransson earns Academy Award nomination while USC Thornton alumni and faculty are featured in nominated films
Nina Shekhar joins composition faculty of Mannes School of Music at The New School
Composer, multimedia artist and USC Thornton alumna Nina Shekhar (MM ’20) has joined the composition faculty of Mannes School of Music at The New School. Shekhar recently earned praise from The New Yorker for her pieces “hush” and “rockabye-bye,” which were part of the California Festival this past November. Shekhar currently serves as Composer-in-Residence of… Continue reading Nina Shekhar joins composition faculty of Mannes School of Music at The New School
Austin Wintory co-composed score for “Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical”
USC Thornton Composition program alumnus Austin Wintory (‘07) co-composed the score for the video game “Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical,” developed by Summerfall Studios. According to Variety, the urban-fantasy game, which was released Aug. 10, is unique for allowing players to choose how a song will develop lyrically, musically and emotionally. Wintory described this feature… Continue reading Austin Wintory co-composed score for “Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical”
San Francisco to honor Michael Tilson Thomas with street name
San Francisco mayor London N. Breed has introduced legislation that would rename the Civic Center block near Davies Symphony Hall after celebrated conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, a Thornton alumnus and Judge Widney Professor at USC. The block between Franklin Street and Van Ness Avenue will be named “MTT Way” in honor of Thomas’s contributions to… Continue reading San Francisco to honor Michael Tilson Thomas with street name
Oliviana Marie wins in 2023 American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers Competition
USC Thornton Composition program student Oliviana Marie won two awards in the 2023 American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers (ASMAC) Student Competition. She earned second place in the Ray and Jon Charles Vocal Arranging category for “Wayfarin Stranger Hard Times” and third place in the Bill Conti Big Band Arranging category for “There Ain’t… Continue reading Oliviana Marie wins in 2023 American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers Competition
Jeffrey Kahane conducts LACO in world premiere of Nina Young’s “Violin Concerto: Traces”
Jeffrey Kahane, a USC Thornton Keyboard Studies faculty member and conductor laureate of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, will conduct the world premiere of “Violin Concerto: Traces,” composed by Thornton Composition faculty member Nina Young. The piece will be performed by violinist Jennifer Koh on Nov. 11 at the Alex Theatre and Nov. 12 at… Continue reading Jeffrey Kahane conducts LACO in world premiere of Nina Young’s “Violin Concerto: Traces”
Gregg Field featured in CBS Sunday Morning segment on Henry Mancini
USC Thornton Board of Councilors Chair Gregg Field was featured in a new CBS Sunday Morning segment on the late composer Henry Mancini. Field discussed the fame of Mancini’s film and television music, such as the ubiquitous “Pink Panther Theme” and “Moon River” from Breakfast at Tiffany’s. The segment included a recording session of his… Continue reading Gregg Field featured in CBS Sunday Morning segment on Henry Mancini
Camae Ayewa releases new album with Irreversible Entanglements
USC Thornton Composition program faculty member Camae Ayewa, also known as Moor Mother, released the album Protect Your Light with jazz group Irreversible Entanglements on September 8 via Impulse! Records. The album draws inspiration from a multitude of jazz improvisational styles as well as the shared personal histories within the band. “This record could be… Continue reading Camae Ayewa releases new album with Irreversible Entanglements