Michael Abels lauded for score of Jordan Peele’s ‘Us’
Composer and USC Thornton alumnus Michael Abels ’84 was recently profiled on NPR for his score of Jordan Peele’s new horror movie, Us. NPR praises Abel for balancing terror with empathy, and Peele claims it is Abels’ heart that makes him a great horror scorer. Abels and Peele first collaborated on the Oscar-winning 2017 film Get… Continue reading Michael Abels lauded for score of Jordan Peele’s ‘Us’
Sarah Gibson wins Left Coast Composition Contest
USC Thornton Composition faculty member Sarah Gibson has just been announced as the winner of the 2019 Left Coast Competition Contest for her composition I prefer living in color. As part of the grand prize, the Left Coast Chamber Ensemble will perform the piece during their 2019-20 season. Gibson wrote I prefer living in color… Continue reading Sarah Gibson wins Left Coast Composition Contest
Saad Haddad chosen as New Young Concert Artist Composer-in-Residence
Last month, Young Concert Artists (YCA) announced USC Thornton Composition alumnus Saad Haddad ’14 as the 2019-2021 Young Concert Artist Composer-in-Residence. As the 12th composer to receive this honor, Haddad will receive management services, publicity and two Young Concert Artist commissions that will premiere at New York’s Merkin Concert Hall and the Kennedy Center in… Continue reading Saad Haddad chosen as New Young Concert Artist Composer-in-Residence
LA Master Chorale performs Dale Trumbore’s composition
The Los Angeles Master Chorale performed USC Thornton alumna Dale Trumbore’s (MM ‘11) composition “How to Go On” on March 17 at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Trumbore was also recently profiled in National Sawdust, where she discusses how she can easily switch from composing to writing in other mediums. “I’ve actually found that my… Continue reading LA Master Chorale performs Dale Trumbore’s composition
Composers, Librettists and Performers collaborate for New Opera Works performance
This Friday at noon Newman Recital Hall, New Opera Works (NOW), a new student organization at USC Thornton, will present the first performance of three opera shorts. Running 10 minutes, each short is composed by Thornton Composition majors and performed by Thornton Vocal Arts students and alumni. NOW, founded by current DMA Vocal Arts student… Continue reading Composers, Librettists and Performers collaborate for New Opera Works performance
USC Thornton faculty and alumnus collaborate for world premiere with LACO
On March 23 and 24, Jeffrey Kahane, Professor of Keyboard Studies at USC Thornton, will return to Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra to conduct the world premiere of GRAMMY Award-winning composer and Thornton alumnus James Newton Howard’s cello concerto, When we were One. The performance, which features USC Thornton Strings faculty member Andrew Shulman on cello… Continue reading USC Thornton faculty and alumnus collaborate for world premiere with LACO
LACO premieres new commission by Juan Pablo Contreras
This week, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) will premiere composer and USC Thornton DMA student Juan Pablo Contreras’ new piano quintet, Musas Mexicanas. The two-night debut will take place Thursday, Feb. 13 at Santa Monica’s Moss Theater and Friday, Feb. 15 at The Huntington in San Marino. Commissioned as part of LACO’s In Focus series… Continue reading LACO premieres new commission by Juan Pablo Contreras
Jules Pegram wins ASCAP/CBDNA Fennell Prize
Earlier this year, Jules Pegram ‘13 received the ninth bi-annual American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) Frederick Fennell Prize award for his piece “Concerto for Alto Saxophone & Wind Ensemble.” The competition, named for Frederick Fennell, ASCAP member and past President of CBDNA, was established to… Continue reading Jules Pegram wins ASCAP/CBDNA Fennell Prize
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