Andrew Norman evokes Frank Gehry’s iconic Santa Monica home in a new work, “Frank’s House”
USC Thornton faculty Andrew Norman was profiled in the Los Angeles Times about “Frank’s House,” a new piece the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra will premiere on Thursday, Feb. 5, in a sold-out concert. The new piece, for four musicians, tries to evoke the iconic Gehry home in Santa Monica that the architect bought in 1978… Continue reading Andrew Norman evokes Frank Gehry’s iconic Santa Monica home in a new work, “Frank’s House”
Mark Weiser wins ASCAP’s Rudolf Nissim Prize
USC Thornton faculty Mark Weiser was named the recipient of the 35th annual ASCAP Foundation Rudolf Nissim Prize. The prize was awarded for his Symphony No. 2 (Sinfonia Magalhães), a 30-minute work of orchestra. The Prize is presented annually to an ASCAP concert composer for a work requiring a conductor that has not been performed… Continue reading Mark Weiser wins ASCAP’s Rudolf Nissim Prize
Ted Hearne
A composer, performer, singer, and bandleader, Ted Hearne draws on a wide breadth of musical and artistic influences to create intense, personal, and multi-dimensional works. The Los Angeles Times wrote: “No single artist embodies the post-genre Brooklyn scene, but Hearne may be its most zealous auteur.” In the past season, Hearne has written new works… Continue reading Ted Hearne
The Los Angeles Times commends Grant Gershon and Morten Lauridsen in review of Music Center gala
The Los Angeles Times mentioned Thornton alum Grant Gershon (BM ’85), artistic director of the Los Angeles Master Chorale and resident Conductor of LA Opera, and USC Distinguished Professor Morten Lauridsen in a review of the Music Center’s 50th Anniversary Spectacular at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on Dec. 6. The Times mentioned one bright spot… Continue reading The Los Angeles Times commends Grant Gershon and Morten Lauridsen in review of Music Center gala
Composition alum David Werfelmann named assistant professor of music at Webster University
David Werfelmann (DMA ’14, Composition) has been appointed assistant professor of music at Webster University, where he will teach music theory and composition in addition to leading the BA in Music program beginning in August, 2015. Werfelmann is an award-winning composer whose work has been performed by the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the IU Jacobs School… Continue reading Composition alum David Werfelmann named assistant professor of music at Webster University
Happy Birthday, Hurricane Mama! USC Thornton faculty and alumni celebrate the LA Phil’s famed organ this weekend
Beginning on Thursday and running through the weekend, the Los Angeles Philharmonic celebrates the anniversary of the Walt Disney Concert Hall’s famous organ, Hurricane Mama, with a series of concerts. As Mark Swed wrote in the Los Angeles Times, “But no other organ looks like French fries, a thrilling trademark of the Frank Gehry hall’s… Continue reading Happy Birthday, Hurricane Mama! USC Thornton faculty and alumni celebrate the LA Phil’s famed organ this weekend
Calder Quartet to perform with Bear McCreary (BM ’02), Melanie Henley Heyn (BM, ’04)
The Broad Stage’s ensemble-in-residence, the Calder Quartet – originally formed at USC Thornton by alumni Benjamin Jacobson (BM ’01, MM ’07), Andrew Bulbrook (BM, ’02), Jonathan Moerschel (BM ’01, MM ’03), and Eric Byers (BM, ’03) – will be joined by fellow alumni Emmy Award-winning composer Bear McCreary (BM ’02) and soprano Melanie Henley Heyn (BM, ’04) for two… Continue reading Calder Quartet to perform with Bear McCreary (BM ’02), Melanie Henley Heyn (BM, ’04)
Ted Hearne featured in The Wall Street Journal
Ted Hearne, assistant professor of composition at USC Thornton, was featured in an article by The Wall Street Journal for his work, The Source. The composition is based on text by the activist group WikiLeaks and former United States Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning, famous for releasing the largest set of classified documents ever leaked… Continue reading Ted Hearne featured in The Wall Street Journal
Strings Department and Composition Department alumni awarded commission by Chamber Music America
The Argus Quartet — which consists of current and former USC Thornton students Clara Kim (DMA, ’15), Jason Issokson (MM, ’10), and Diana Wade (GCRT, ’13) — was awarded a commission by Chamber Music America, a national network for ensemble musicians. Awarded as a part of the organization’s Classical Commissioning program, the grant provides support for American classical… Continue reading Strings Department and Composition Department alumni awarded commission by Chamber Music America
Ross Garren (BM, ’08) to attend Sundance Institute Music and Sound Design Lab
Ross Garren (BM, ’08) was recently chosen to attend the Sundance Institute Music and Sound Design Lab at Skywalker Sound. Garren, who was named Outstanding Graduate in Composition during his time at USC Thornton, is part of a select group of composers chosen to attend. The program will take place at the Skywalker Ranch in Northern… Continue reading Ross Garren (BM, ’08) to attend Sundance Institute Music and Sound Design Lab