Saad Haddad named California Symphony’s Young American Composer-in-Residence
USC Thornton Composition alumnus Saad Haddad (BM ‘14) was named 2023-2026 Young American Composer-in-Residence by the California Symphony. For the next three seasons, Haddad will create, rehearse, premiere and record three major orchestral compositions alongside orchestra and music director, Donato Cabrera. “Saad has such a clear sense of expression and what he wants the music… Continue reading Saad Haddad named California Symphony’s Young American Composer-in-Residence
Billy Childs premieres saxophone concerto with Kansas City Symphony
USC Thornton Composition program alumnus Billy Childs (BM ‘79) premiered his saxophone concerto with the Kansas City Symphony on Feb. 10. The concerto was conducted by Ruth Reinhardt and performed by saxophonist Steven Banks, as well as co-commissioned by nine major American orchestras including Kansas City Symphony. According to Classical Kansas City, Childs drew inspiration… Continue reading Billy Childs premieres saxophone concerto with Kansas City Symphony
Thornton alumni win at African American Film Critics Association Awards
Two USC Thornton alumni have received awards at the 14th Annual African American Film Critics Association Awards (AAFCA), which honors outstanding achievement in film. Screen Scoring alum Ludwig Göransson (GCRT ‘08) won Best Song for “Life Me Up” from the film, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Composition alum Michael Abels (BM ‘84) has been named a… Continue reading Thornton alumni win at African American Film Critics Association Awards
Billy Childs composition to be featured at “Treelogy” concert
GRAMMY Award-winning artist and USC Thornton Composition program alumnus Billy Childs (BM ‘79) will premiere a piece honoring endangered California trees in a three-part concert, Treelogy, on Feb. 23, 2023. Treelogy’s music series will tour California to raise awareness of the state’s trees in response to the unprecedented rise in wildfires. Childs is one of… Continue reading Billy Childs composition to be featured at “Treelogy” concert
Alumni garner nominations for 2023 Society of Composers and Lyricists Awards
Three USC Thornton alumni have been nominated for the 4th Society of Composers and Lyricists Awards. Composition alum Michael Abels (BM ‘84) was nominated for Outstanding Score for a Studio Film with Nope. Composition alum Bear McCreary (BM ‘02) was nominated for Outstanding Score for a Television Production with The Lord of the Rings: Rings… Continue reading Alumni garner nominations for 2023 Society of Composers and Lyricists Awards
Cody Westheimer premiered symphony celebrating Chumash heritage with Santa Barbara Symphony
USC Thornton composition program alum Cody Westheimer (BM ‘01) premiered a symphonic piece with the Santa Barbara Symphony at the Granada Theatre on Nov. 19. Westheimer’s “Wisdom of the Water, Earth, Sky” was led by artistic director Nir Kabaretti and performed by Chumash descendants Marianne Parra and Ernestine Ygnacio-DeSoto. Westheimer, a Santa Barbara local and… Continue reading Cody Westheimer premiered symphony celebrating Chumash heritage with Santa Barbara Symphony
Fall 2022 Semester in Review
Looking back on an amazing fall 2022 semester at USC Thornton.
George Shaw composed Dreamworks’ “Abominable and the Invisible City”
USC Thornton composition program alumnus George Shaw (BM ‘04) composed the score for DreamWorks animated series Abominable and the Invisible City, the follow-up from the 2019 feature film. The score of the animated series, which was released on Oct. 5, incorporates Chinese culture with solo violin, clarinet and saxophone instrumentals. “In order to bring Chinese… Continue reading George Shaw composed Dreamworks’ “Abominable and the Invisible City”
LACO premieres new commission by Juan Pablo Contreras
The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) will present the world premiere of a work by Latin GRAMMY-nominated composer and USC Thornton alumnus Juan Pablo Contreras (DMA ‘21). “Lucha Libre!” will be performed on December 11 at 8 p.m. at Ambassador Auditorium in Pasadena. “Lucha Libre!” is a LACO sound Investment commission that pays tribute to… Continue reading LACO premieres new commission by Juan Pablo Contreras
Oliviana Marie awarded in 2022 Marvin Hamlisch International Music Awards
USC Thornton composition program student Oliviana Marie was both an award-winner and nominee at the Marvin Hamlisch International Music Awards. The announcement was made on Oct 18. Only 5 nominees are selected per division out of the top 25 submissions. Hamlisch was nominated in the emerging jazz composition category, and she won in the emerging… Continue reading Oliviana Marie awarded in 2022 Marvin Hamlisch International Music Awards