Music & Beyond Festival pays tribute to Morten Lauridsen
On July 12, the Music & Beyond Festival of Ottawa, Canada, held a concert celebrating the choral works of USC Thornton Distinguished Professor of Composition, Morten Lauridsen. Lauridsen accompanied singers from 10 regional choirs in performances of his O Magnum Mysterium, Sure on this Shining Night, Lux Aeterna and Dirait-on, under the batons of conductors… Continue reading Music & Beyond Festival pays tribute to Morten Lauridsen
Work by alumnus Jules Pegram featured in Underwood New Music concert
USC Thornton alumnus and Outstanding Graduate Jules Pegram (BM ’13, composition) was one of seven composers selected by the American Composers Orchestra for its annual Underwood New Music Readings concert in New York City. His orchestral piece, Shadows of the Studio, is a “musical tribute to the glory days of Hollywood’s ‘studio system.’” In an… Continue reading Work by alumnus Jules Pegram featured in Underwood New Music concert
CD of works by Donald Crockett produced by Boston Modern Orchestra Project
The Boston Modern Orchestra Project (BMOP) has released a new CD of music by Donald Crockett, chair of the USC Thornton Composition program. “Blue Earth” features several works by Crockett, including a Viola Concerto with soloist Kate Vincent and the orchestral “Blue Earth,” conducted by BMOP Artistic Director Gil Rose. Recording of the CD was made… Continue reading CD of works by Donald Crockett produced by Boston Modern Orchestra Project
Composition students shine with prizes and premieres
In recent weeks, USC Thornton students – from undergraduate to doctoral – have found success with composition awards and premieres. Thomas Kotcheff (MM ’12, composition), currently a doctoral candidate, received a BMI Student Composer Award on May 18 in New York City for his octet, entitled that in shadow or moonlight rises. In addition to… Continue reading Composition students shine with prizes and premieres
Composer Ted Hearne premieres new work with LA Chamber Orchestra
Composer Ted Hearne, who joined the USC Thornton Composition faculty in 2014, premiered a new work with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra on May 17, closing the ensemble’s 2014-2015 season. Hearne’s piece, “respirator,” evoked his struggles with childhood asthma through percussive and experimental sounds created by the orchestra. In a review of “respirator” for the… Continue reading Composer Ted Hearne premieres new work with LA Chamber Orchestra
Composition by Thomas Osborne featured on new piano album
A composition by USC Thornton alumnus Thomas Osborne (DMA ’06, composition), “The Ends of the Earth,” was prominently featured on pianist Derek Polischuk’s album, “Terra Incognita,” which was released last month. In a review for City Pulse, Lawrence Cosentino called Osborne’s piece “a grand, terrifying and beautiful new work for piano” that “heaves like ocean… Continue reading Composition by Thomas Osborne featured on new piano album
Composition by Michael Lee to be featured by Albany Symphony
A composition by USC Thornton DMA student Michael Lee was selected for the Albany Symphony Orchestra’s “Composer to Center Stage Reading Session” during their 2015 American Music Festival. Lee’s work, Amped, was premiered by the USC Thornton Symphony at the New Music for Orchestra concert under the baton of professor Donald Crockett in the fall… Continue reading Composition by Michael Lee to be featured by Albany Symphony
Andrew Norman named Director of LA Phil Composer Fellowship Program
USC Thornton Composition professor Andrew Norman will join the Los Angeles Philharmonic as Director of the innovative Composer Fellowship Program, which offers exceptional high-school-age composers an opportunity to engage with more established composers. Norman is presently overseeing the selection process for the next class of Composer Fellows, who will begin the two-year program in the… Continue reading Andrew Norman named Director of LA Phil Composer Fellowship Program
Composition alum Austin Wintory nominated for two BAFTA awards for video game score
Thornton graduate Austin Wintory (’07, composition) has received two British Academy of Film and Television (BAFTA) award nominations for his work on The Banner Saga video game musical score. Wintory was also honored with the 2015 Outstanding Achievement: Music Production award at the Annual Game Music Awards. Wintory’s previous work on the PlayStation game Journey… Continue reading Composition alum Austin Wintory nominated for two BAFTA awards for video game score
Alum Roger Zare premieres orchestral work with the California State Northridge Symphony
USC Thornton alum Roger Zare (BM ’07) had a piece premiered by the California State Northridge Symphony on March 4. Zare won the 12th annual Northridge Competition Prize for the orchestral version of his piece, Fractal Miniatures. Zare’s piece is a set of 8 movements that reflect his impressions of various fractal patterns. Originally composed… Continue reading Alum Roger Zare premieres orchestral work with the California State Northridge Symphony