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
Pacific Symphony performance with Peter Boyer to be broadcast on PBS
Ellis Island: The Dream of America, a multimedia orchestral work by composer and USC Thornton alumnus Peter Boyer (GCRT ’96, SMPTV) was the centerpiece of the Pacific Symphony’s recent American Composers Festival from April 6-8. Conducted by music director and USC Thornton faculty member Carl St.Clair, the GRAMMY-nominated piece incorporates narration and projected imagery to… Continue reading Pacific Symphony performance with Peter Boyer to be broadcast on PBS
Composition grad student Peter Shin awarded Fulbright
Peter Shin, a master’s student in the USC Thornton Composition program, was recently awarded a Fulbright Scholarship that will allow him to travel to South Korea to study local musical forms. In the process, he plans to create new orchestral compositions that will draw on his Korean research. This summer, Shin will join professor emeritus… Continue reading Composition grad student Peter Shin awarded Fulbright
Compositions students, alumni shine in ASCAP Foundation awards
USC Thornton Composition students and alumni comprised six of the nineteen recipients of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Foundation 2017 Morton Gould Young Composer Awards, which were announced March 30. The winners include Composition doctoral candidate Julia Adolphe (MM ’12), graduate student Tommy Dougherty, and Composition alumni Saad Haddad (BM ’14),… Continue reading Compositions students, alumni shine in ASCAP Foundation awards
Thomas Kotcheff and the Argus Quartet team for music video
Thomas Kotcheff (MM ’12, composition), a doctoral candidate in the USC Thornton Composition program, recently collaborated with the Argus Quartet to create a music video of his work, scratch cradle. The quartet, which includes alumni violinists Jason Issokson (MM’10) and Clara Kim (DMA ’15), along with violist Dana Kelley and cellist Joann Whang, originally commissioned… Continue reading Thomas Kotcheff and the Argus Quartet team for music video
Julia Adolphe premieres new work with LACO
Julia Adolphe (MM ’12, composition), a doctoral candidate in the USC Thornton Composition program, premiered a new work with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) last week as part of the ensemble’s Sound Investment commission series. The 13-minute piece, Shiver and Bloom, which the Los Angeles Times described “beautifully scored,” was conducted by LACO music… Continue reading Julia Adolphe premieres new work with LACO