The Los Angeles Times draws musical parallels between Los Angeles and Berlin
The musical vitality of Los Angeles takes center stage in a recent Los Angeles Times article by music critic Mark Swed, which juxtaposes the city’s artistic dynamism with that of the more established metropolis of Berlin. Surveying the German capital’s three major opera companies and the venerable Berlin Philharmonic, Swed drew parallels to several Los… Continue reading The Los Angeles Times draws musical parallels between Los Angeles and Berlin
L.C. Harnsberger Olvera Street opera performed
Golondrina, a chamber opera by composer and alumnus L.C. Harnsberger‘s (BM, ’89, Composition), was performed last month by the Southern California-based Vineyard Touring Opera Company. The opera, which premiered in 2015, tells the true story behind Los Angeles’ Olvera Street landmark and efforts to save its iconic plaza during the construction of Union Station. With… Continue reading L.C. Harnsberger Olvera Street opera performed
Frank Ticheli presents band workshops in Italy
Composer and USC Thornton faculty member Frank Ticheli is traveling throughout Italy this summer, where he will present several concerts and workshops. Known for his works for concert band, Ticheli will lead programs for Italian band directors in the cities of Fermo, Serra di Conti and Morbegno before presenting at the International Band Festival of… Continue reading Frank Ticheli presents band workshops in Italy
L.A. Master Chorale celebrates Morten Lauridsen
This week, the Los Angeles Master Chorale (LAMC) celebrates the 20th anniversary of USC Distinguished Professor Morten Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna with a series of concerts and events at Walt Disney Concert Hall (June 17-22). Alumnus Grant Gershon (’85, piano), USC Thornton Board of Councilors member and artistic director of the Los Angeles Master Chorale, was… Continue reading L.A. Master Chorale celebrates Morten Lauridsen
Violinist Anne Akiko Meyers performs Morten Lauridsen arrangement
International violinist Anne Akiko Meyers recently performed a violin arrangement of O Magnum Mysterium, a popular choral work by composer and USC Thornton faculty member Morten Lauridsen (’66, MA’68, DMA’74). Arranged especially for her, Meyers presented the work in recitals in New York City and Washington, D.C., last month. During her tour, Meyers visited the… Continue reading Violinist Anne Akiko Meyers performs Morten Lauridsen arrangement
Composition alumnus Saad Haddad travels the globe
Though the 2016-17 season is winding down, composer and USC Thornton alumnus Saad Haddad (’14, composition) continues to travel the globe to share his music. Recently awarded the Charles Ives Fellowship from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, as well as the Grand Prize at the S&R Foundation Washington Awards, Haddad spent five weeks… Continue reading Composition alumnus Saad Haddad travels the globe
Hear Now Music Festival features over 15 Thornton musicians
The seventh annual Hear Now Music Festival took place at the end of April, showcasing many of the most compelling artistic voices in Southern California new music, including a broad slate of USC Thornton students, faculty, and alumni. Pianist and alumnus Gernot Wolfgang (GCRT ’94, film scoring) serves as Associate Artistic Director of the festival,… Continue reading Hear Now Music Festival features over 15 Thornton musicians
Composer Ted Hearne mixes music and politics
Composer and USC Thornton faculty member Ted Hearne recently released a new album, Sound from the Bench. The politically-charged album features the Philadelphia-based Crossing Choir, conducted by Donald Nally, performing four of Hearne’s works with guitarists Taylor Levine and James Moore and drummer Ron Wiltrout. Sound from the Bench explores subjects including the Iraq War,… Continue reading Composer Ted Hearne mixes music and politics
“Rhythms + Visions” to light up the School of Cinematic Arts this Friday
This Friday, April 28th, USC’s School of Cinematic Arts will come to life with a spectacular evening festival of musical performances, interactive animation, projections, inflatables, and virtual reality experiences. The Visions & Voices-produced event, Rhythms + Visions / Expanded + Live 3, will feature work by innovative artists Refik Anadol, Miwa Matreyek, and Patterson +… Continue reading “Rhythms + Visions” to light up the School of Cinematic Arts this Friday
Donald Crockett, Thornton alumni featured at Caramoor
USC Thornton Composition chair Donald Crockett (MM ’76) recently visited the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts in Katonah, New York, where the Argus Quartet is preparing his commissioned string quartet for its July premiere. Thornton alumni and faculty feature prominently throughout the Center’s spring and summer seasons. The Los Angeles-based Argus Quartet, which… Continue reading Donald Crockett, Thornton alumni featured at Caramoor