Morten Lauridsen nominated for an Opus Klassik Award
Morten Lauridsen, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Composition at USC Thornton, recently received a nomination in the Best Choral Recording category of the 2019 Opus Klassik Awards, Germany’s premier classical awards, for “Light Eternal – The Choral Music of Morten Lauridsen.” The recording, which was conducted by Nicol Matt and performed by the Chamber Choir of… Continue reading Morten Lauridsen nominated for an Opus Klassik Award
Dale Trumbore publishes new book
USC Thornton Composition alumna Dale Trumbore (MM ’11) recently published a new book entitled Staying Composed: Overcoming Anxiety and Self-Doubt Within a Creative Life. With lessons drawn from her professional composing career, Trumbore offers tips for creatives in any field and breaks down obstacles to a creative career. The book also presents strategies to create… Continue reading Dale Trumbore publishes new book
Veronika Krausas earns praise for new opera
Veronika Krausas, a USC Thornton Composition faculty member, debuted her newest opera to rave reviews last month. Ghost Opera, which premiered at the Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity, earned positive press from the Calgary Herald and CBC. The Calgary Herald praised Krausas while describing the show as “visually opulent” and “theatrically mesmerizing.” “Krausas has… Continue reading Veronika Krausas earns praise for new opera
USC musicians to perform at LA Phil’s Noon to Midnight event
On Saturday, June 1 the LA Phil celebrates new music with their third-annual Noon to Midnight event, a twelve-hour marathon featuring many of California’s finest ensembles in pop-up performances around Walt Disney Concert Hall. The day-long lineup features several ensembles that feature USC Thornton musicians, including USC Thornton Percussion Group, HOCKET, Sakura Cello Quintet, Calder… Continue reading USC musicians to perform at LA Phil’s Noon to Midnight event
Veronika Krausas to present new opera in Canada
This Friday, May 24, USC Thornton Composition faculty member Veronika Krausas will present the world premiere of a new opera, Ghost Opera at the Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity. The new work, which is a full-length chamber drama giocoso opera conceived with puppets, is presented by The Old Trout Puppet Workshop and Calgary Opera in… Continue reading Veronika Krausas to present new opera in Canada
USC Thornton students and alumni win Morton Gould Young Composer Awards
USC Thornton Composition students and alumni comprised five of the 21 recipients of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Foundation 2019 Morton Gould Young Composer Awards. The annual award encourages talented young creators of concert music ranging in age from 10 to 30. The winners included undergraduate Adam Karelin, graduate students Nina… Continue reading USC Thornton students and alumni win Morton Gould Young Composer Awards
Frank Ticheli’s “American Elegy” continues to have impact
Soon after the Columbine shooting, USC Thornton Composition faculty member Frank Ticheli was asked to compose a piece for the Columbine High School Band to honor the grieving community and remember lives lost. A year after the tragedy, he premiered “American Elegy” with the Columbine High School Wind Ensemble at the Macky Auditorium on the… Continue reading Frank Ticheli’s “American Elegy” continues to have impact
Andrew Norman named finalist for Pulitzer Prize for Music
USC Thornton Composition faculty member Andrew Norman (’02, MM ’04) was one of three finalists for the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for Music for his orchestral work Sustain. Sustain is a large-scale work for orchestra that was commissioned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic to launch its 100th anniversary season. The LA Phil premiered the piece on… Continue reading Andrew Norman named finalist for Pulitzer Prize for Music
Bill Biersach’s Beatles class profiled in Daily Trojan
USC Thornton faculty member Bill Biersach and his class The Beatles: Their Music and Their Times was profiled in the Daily Trojan. The article discusses how Biersach has evolved the course since he created it over 20 years ago. The class is immensely popular with students, and Biersach refers to it as his “one really… Continue reading Bill Biersach’s Beatles class profiled in Daily Trojan
Billy Childs to headline festival in New Zealand
Billy Childs ’79, a GRAMMY Award-winning artist and USC Thornton alumnus, will headline the 24th annual New Zealand International Jazz and Blues Festival on June 1. He will perform with his quartet alongside Dayna Stephens on saxophone, bassist Alex Boneham and drummer Christian Euman. The five-day, 26-show festival is one of New Zealand’s longest-running music… Continue reading Billy Childs to headline festival in New Zealand