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
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
Three Thornton doctoral candidates among this year’s USC International Artist Fellows
USC recently announced the 2019-2020 class of International Artist Fellows, including three USC Thornton DMA candidates: Classical Guitar student Bokyung Byun, Keyboard Studies student Wesley Chu, and Composition student Guang Yang. Since 2013, the International Artist Fellowship has provided scholarships and other resources to enable talented artsits from around the world to study at USC’s… Continue reading Three Thornton doctoral candidates among this year’s USC International Artist Fellows
Patrice Rushen returns to Monterey Jazz Festival with Christian McBride Situation
Patrice Rushen, chair of the USC Thornton Popular Music program, was recently featured in the San Francisco Chronicle ahead of her return to the Monterey Jazz Festival on September 27 with the Christian McBride Situation. Rushen first performed at the festival as a senior in high school in 1972, when she led her combo to… Continue reading Patrice Rushen returns to Monterey Jazz Festival with Christian McBride Situation
Sarah Gibson to join faculty at UCSB Department of Music
Thornton alumna Sarah Gibson (MM ’10, DMA ’15) will join the faculty at the UC Santa Barbara Department of Music and College of Creative Studies as Teaching Professor in Composition this fall. Gibson will be teaching courses in composition, music theory, orchestration and other performance-related courses. “Her background and support of new musical compositions, along… Continue reading Sarah Gibson to join faculty at UCSB Department of Music
Michael Lee commissioned by Ensemble Ari
Ensemble Ari will premiere USC Thornton alumnus Michael Lee’s (DMA ’17) “Ghost Break Dance” at the Friends of Chamber Music concert series at the University of the Pacific on September 22. The work was commissioned by the Bay Area ensemble. Additionally, a composition written by Lee while he was at USC, “Unmasked for Classical Guitar,”… Continue reading Michael Lee commissioned by Ensemble Ari
Billy Childs to join Berklee as visiting scholar
USC Thornton alumnus and celebrated jazz musician Billy Childs ’79 will serve as a visiting scholar at Berklee College of Music for the 2019-20 academic year. During his stint in Boston, Childs, a five-time GRAMMY award recipient, will teach jazz composition classes, coach a student ensemble and offer master classes.
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