Composer alum Karim Elmahmoudi undertakes Minnesota residency
Karim Elmahmoudi (’07), an alumnus of the USC Thornton Composition program, has completed a guest composer residency with the Wayzata Symphony Orchestra in Wayzata, Minnesota. Following a weeklong visit in September, during which Elmahmoudi met with Wayzata students and audiences to discuss his creative process, the Wayzata Symphony presented his work, Orbit: A Symphonic Fantasy,… Continue reading Composer alum Karim Elmahmoudi undertakes Minnesota residency
Composition alumnus Roger Zare awarded Copland residency
USC Thornton Composition alumnus Roger Zare (BM ’07) was selected for a 2015-16 Copland House Residency Award. The residency, which takes place at composer Aaron Copland’s historical home and studio in Westchester County, New York, invites emerging and mid-career composers to live and work at the residence for three to eight weeks. Zare recently won… Continue reading Composition alumnus Roger Zare awarded Copland residency
Donald Crockett’s album “Blue Earth” reviewed in Gramophone
“Blue Earth,” a recent album of original works by Donald Crockett, chair of the USC Thornton Composition program, was reviewed in the September 2015 issue of Gramophone. Reviewer Donald Rosenberg noted that the album’s three works, which were recorded by the Boston Modern Orchestra Project under conductor Gil Rose, “show the American composer fully engaged… Continue reading Donald Crockett’s album “Blue Earth” reviewed in Gramophone
Reflecting on Ken Butler’s extraordinary instruments
The USC News website has posted a brief article about artist/musician/inventor Ken Butler’s Visions & Voices presentation, “Hybrid Visions, Anxious Objects,” which was was organized by USC Thornton Composition faculty member Veronika Krausas and USC Roski ceramicist Karen Koblitz. The news story about the September 21 event noted that Butler “plucks, bows, strums and taps… Continue reading Reflecting on Ken Butler’s extraordinary instruments
Greg Reitan alumni jazz trio reviewed in ArtsJournal
Jazz pianist and USC Thornton alumnus Greg Reitan (’96, composition) was reviewed on the ArtsJournal blog for his new album, Post No Bills, which features fellow alumni Jack Daro (BA ’93, MM ’99) on bass and Dean Koba (MM ’93) on drums. The album has been well-received by critics. Reitan studied composition at USC Thornton… Continue reading Greg Reitan alumni jazz trio reviewed in ArtsJournal
Composition alum Roger Zare wins first prize for orchestral work
USC Thornton Composition alumnus Roger Zare (BM ’07) won first prize at the 3rd Senzoku Contemporary Composition Competition for his orchestral composition, Tectonics. The competition was hosted by the Senzoku Gakuen College of Music in Tokyo, Japan and Zare’s work was performed by the Senzoku New Philharmonic Orchestra.
Morten Lauridsen artist-in-residence at Arcosanti urban laboratory
Morten Lauridsen, Distinguished Professor of Composition at USC Thornton and National Medal of Arts winner, was the artist-in-residence at the Arcosanti urban laboratory in rural Arizona from Sep. 14-19. The residency culminated in a concert celebrating Lauridsen’s choral works, including his beloved “Lux Aeterna,” featuring Orpheus Male Chorus of Phoenix, the NAU Shrine of the… Continue reading Morten Lauridsen artist-in-residence at Arcosanti urban laboratory
Michael Lee receives commission from New York Virtuoso Singers
Composer and USC Thornton Composition doctoral candidate Michael Lee has received a commission from the New York Virtuoso Singers to compose a work, which will be premiered in New York City this fall. The ensemble is regarded as the nation’s “leading exponent of contemporary choral music.” Lee’s works music have previously been performed by the… Continue reading Michael Lee receives commission from New York Virtuoso Singers
HOCKET new music ensemble makes waves at Carlsbad Music Festival
The new music duo, HOCKET, which includes current USC Thornton D.M.A. Composition student, Thomas Kotcheff (M.M. ’12, composition) and Composition faculty member Sarah Gibson (M.M. ’10, composition; D.M.A. ’15, composition), recently performed in a series of concerts at the Carlsbad Music Festival. The duo performed compositions by David Lang, Alex Weiser, Aaron Holloway-Nahum, and Tristan… Continue reading HOCKET new music ensemble makes waves at Carlsbad Music Festival
Alumni and faculty receive EMMY nominations for outstanding film scoring
USC Thornton alumni and faculty have been honored with EMMY Award nominations. Duncan Thum (BA ’06, Guitar, GCRT ’13, SMPTV) has been nominated for Outstanding Music Composition For A Series (Original Dramatic Score) for the documentary series “Chef’s Table.” Several other alumni, including composers Tyler Sabbag (BS ’05, Jazz Studies) and Steve Gernes (GCRT ’13,… Continue reading Alumni and faculty receive EMMY nominations for outstanding film scoring