Alumna Julia Newmann’s “Bones Orchestral Suite” performed live
A work by Composition alumna Julia Newmann (BM ’03) was recently performed by a 55-piece orchestra as part of “The Women Who Score: Soundtracks Live.” A collaboration between Grand Performances and The Alliance for Women Film Composers, the event was a celebration of 21 film, television, and videogame scores by female composers. Newmann, who has… Continue reading Alumna Julia Newmann’s “Bones Orchestral Suite” performed live
Bear McCreary chats with AXS about his career
USC Thornton Composition alumnus Bear McCreary (BM ’02) was interviewed by AXS about his recent projects and his plans for the future. The well-regarded film composer, who received USC Thornton’s 2016 Outstanding Alumnus Award, is currently scoring the final season of “Black Sails” and is looking forward to doing more concert performances in the next… Continue reading Bear McCreary chats with AXS about his career
Strong Thornton presence among performers and composers at Carlsbad Music Festival
USC Thornton alumni will be widely represented at the annual Carlsbad Music Festival in the San Diego area this weekend (August 26-28). Among the festival’s main stage artists is the HOCKET piano duo, which includes current Composition DMA candidate Thomas Kotcheff (MM ’12, Composition) and Composition faculty member Sarah Gibson (MM ’10, DMA ’15, Composition).… Continue reading Strong Thornton presence among performers and composers at Carlsbad Music Festival
Alumnus George Shaw composes ballet
The I.C. Movement Project contemporary ballet company has commissioned USC Thornton Composition alumnus George Shaw to compose a ballet. The work, “Through the Glass Ceiling,” explores issues of gender inequality and will receive its premiere in the Washington D.C area on August 6th. Shaw recently scored the theme and music for the web video series… Continue reading Alumnus George Shaw composes ballet
Film composer James Newton Howard to perform his soundtracks live at Royal Albert Hall
The works of GRAMMY Award-winning film composer and USC Thornton alumnus James Newton Howard will be celebrated in a concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall this November. Howard, who was recently selected to score the newest film in the Harry Potter franchise, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, has previously scored popular films including… Continue reading Film composer James Newton Howard to perform his soundtracks live at Royal Albert Hall
Donald Crockett remembers composer Steven Stucky
Donald Crockett, chair of the USC Thornton Composition department, was quoted in the Boston Globe about his close friendship with composer Steven Stucky, who died in February. Crockett came to know the Pulitzer Prize-winner in the 1980’s when Stucky began serving as composer in residence for the Los Angeles Philharmonic (LA Phil). “His sense of… Continue reading Donald Crockett remembers composer Steven Stucky
Alumnus Saad Haddad receives CAPMT commission
Composer and alumnus Saad Haddad (BM ’14, composition) has received the Distinguished Composer of the Year Award from the California Association of Professional Music Teachers (CAPMT) and has been has commissioned by the organization to compose a new work for flute, viola and harp. The work will be premiered at the CAPMT State Conference in… Continue reading Alumnus Saad Haddad receives CAPMT commission
Cristian Grases premieres new choral work at Carnegie Hall
Cristian Grases, a member of the USC Thornton Choral and Sacred Music faculty, recently premiered his new composition entitled Nocturnos y Adivinanzas (Nocturnes and Riddles) with Distinguished Concerts International New York. The June 12th concert, held at Carnegie Hall, included a chorus of 200 young singers from across the U.S. The six-movement Nocturnos y Adivinanzas… Continue reading Cristian Grases premieres new choral work at Carnegie Hall
American Composers Orchestra to perform work by Sarah Gibson
Sarah Gibson (MM ’10, DMA ’15), a member of the USC Thornton Composition faculty, is one of seven composers whose works will be performed by the American Composers Orchestra (ACO), an ensemble dedicated to reading and performing new contemporary classical music. The ACO’s 25th annual Underwood New Music Readings concert will take place on June… Continue reading American Composers Orchestra to perform work by Sarah Gibson
Houston Symphony premieres concerto by late composer, alumnus James Horner
The work of the late film composer and USC Thornton alumnus James Horner (BM ’74, composition) was honored by the Houston Symphony earlier this month. The Symphony, under conductor Michael Francis, presented the premiere of Horner’s last completed concert work, which was performed by the orchestra and four French horn soloists, two of whom were… Continue reading Houston Symphony premieres concerto by late composer, alumnus James Horner