A Springtime Celebration of Composer Morten Lauridsen
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Film composer, alum, Bear McCreary featured on NPR
USC Thornton alumnus Bear McCreary (BM ’02) was interviewed recently on NPR’s All Things Considered about his success as a film and television composer. His first major studio film score came this year for J.J. Abrams’ thriller 10 Cloverfield Lane, which opened March 11. McCreary started out scoring for the sci-fi series Battlestar Galactica and… Continue reading Film composer, alum, Bear McCreary featured on NPR
Composition students, faculty win American Academy of Arts & Letters Awards
Two doctoral candidates and a faculty member of the USC Thornton Composition program have received awards from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. DMA candidate Brett Banducci received the $10,000 Andrew Imbrie Award for “a composer of demonstrated artistic merit.” DMA candidate Thomas Kotcheff (MM ’12) and faculty member Jeffrey Parola were each awarded… Continue reading Composition students, faculty win American Academy of Arts & Letters Awards
Andrew Norman premieres work with Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Phil
Andrew Norman, a member of the USC Thornton Composition faculty, premiered a work with the Los Angeles Philharmonic (LA Phil), under conductor Gustavo Dudamel, last week. Norman’s Play: Level 1 is adapted from his 2013 orchestral cycle, Play, which echoes the exuberantly frenetic, startlingly disjointed experience of video game-play, and which was recorded on CD… Continue reading Andrew Norman premieres work with Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Phil
Julia Adolphe’s N.Y. Philharmonic concerto to premiere next season
A new viola concerto by Julia Adolphe, a doctoral candidate in the USC Thornton Composition program, will be premiere as part of the New York Philharmonic’s 175th anniversary season in November of 2016. The work, which was commissioned by the Philharmonic in 2015, will be performed Nov. 17 and Nov. 19 by Cynthia Phelps, USC… Continue reading Julia Adolphe’s N.Y. Philharmonic concerto to premiere next season
Ted Hearne’s oratorio, “The Source,” to be staged in L.A. and S.F. next season
“The Source,” a strikingly contemporary oratorio by Ted Hearne, of the USC Thornton Composition faculty, will receive its west coast premiere in October of 2016 as part of LA Opera’s Off Grand performance initiative. The production, which will be staged at REDCAT, is part of an ongoing collaboration with Beth Morrison Projects to present experimental… Continue reading Ted Hearne’s oratorio, “The Source,” to be staged in L.A. and S.F. next season
Oscar nominations for Thomas Newman and John Williams
Two members of the USC Thornton family have received Academy Award nominations in the category of “Best Music – Original Score.” Composer and Board of Councilors member Thomas Newman received his nomination for the score to “Bridge of Spies.” In the same category, Thornton collaborator and honorary alumnus John Williams was nominated for “Star Wars:… Continue reading Oscar nominations for Thomas Newman and John Williams
Composer alumnus Tristan Koester finds success with commissions
Composer and Thornton alumnus Tristan Xavier Koester (’15) recently premiered a piece entitled “Memory Fragments” with the Varied Trio, a chamber ensemble featuring Thornton alumni Yuri Inoo (MM ’04, DMA ’09, percussion) and Aron Kallay (DMA ’09, piano). His upcoming work includes recording projects with the trio, as well as traditional Chinese guzheng player Sun… Continue reading Composer alumnus Tristan Koester finds success with commissions
Composer Mark Weiser’s opera named year’s top operatic event
“Where Angels Fear to Tread,” an opera by composer and USC Thornton Composition faculty member Mark Weiser, was named the top operatic event for 2015 by the San Francisco Chronicle (paywall). Premiered in February of 2015 by Opera San Jose, the opera is based on the novel by E.M. Forster and features a libretto by… Continue reading Composer Mark Weiser’s opera named year’s top operatic event
Julia Adolphe to receive Lincoln Center Emerging Artist Award
Julia Adolphe, a doctoral candidate in the USC Thornton Composition program, is one of 12 young artists to receive the 2016 Lincoln Center Emerging Artist Award, which allows each of the organizations on the New York City cultural campus to celebrate a rising star in the performing arts. Selected for distinction by the New York… Continue reading Julia Adolphe to receive Lincoln Center Emerging Artist Award