Daniel Newman-Lessler conducts USC Thornton students in “Unforgettable Sunrise” premiere
On September 30, USC Thornton alumnus Daniel Newman-Lessler (MM ’17, BM ’14) will conduct 54 current students in the premiere of Unforgettable Sunrise, a 70 minute symphony by Jacob Rock and Rob Laufer. Rock, a non-verbal teenager with autism, communicated his idea for the symphony through an app on the iPad. To help realize his… Continue reading Daniel Newman-Lessler conducts USC Thornton students in “Unforgettable Sunrise” premiere
Jacob Sustaita
Jacob Sustaita serves as the assistant conductor for Pacific Symphony, a position he has held since the fall of 2020. Sustaita also serves as music director and conductor for Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra (PSYO), the premier training orchestra of Orange County, recognized as one of the most outstanding youth orchestras in the country. Sustaita is… Continue reading Jacob Sustaita
Angel Velez music directs live performance honoring Arturo Sandoval
Thornton alumnus and conductor Angel Velez (MA ‘14) serves as music director and concert producer for “For Love or Country: The Arturo Sandoval Story” Live in Concert With Arturo Sandoval and the University of Miami’s Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra. This performance honoring the accomplishments of the four-time GRAMMY winning Cuban trumpeter and Presidential Medal of… Continue reading Angel Velez music directs live performance honoring Arturo Sandoval
Conductor Troy Quinn Takes Center Stage with the Rhode Island Philharmonic
USC Thornton faculty member Troy Quinn leads the 2021 summer pops series for the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra.
Grant Gershon shares advice for virtual choirs
In a recent KCET article, USC Thornton alum Grant Gershon (BM ‘85), artistic director of the Los Angeles Master Chorale (LAMC), shares advice and lessons learned while conducting choirs virtually during the pandemic. Choir directors like Gershon have transitioned to edited ensemble performances, with choir members recording their parts individually from home. The solution requires… Continue reading Grant Gershon shares advice for virtual choirs
USC Thornton artists featured in KUSC’s “Play On, California!”
In a daily broadcast and online feature titled “Play On, California!” Classical KUSC highlights the work California musicians and arts organizations are doing to continue sharing music and create online experiences for audiences while live concerts remain halted. The feature highlights USC Thornton’s Live! From Somewhere series, and the work of various Thornton alumni and… Continue reading USC Thornton artists featured in KUSC’s “Play On, California!”
Daily Trojan highlights Live! From Somewhere performance series
The Daily Trojan, USC’s student-led newspaper, recently highlighted USC Thornton’s new video series, Live! From Somewhere. The series was launched on March 16 in response to recent closures and event cancellations, and as the school’s artists have looked for ways to continue making music while social distancing. Live! From Somewhere presents homemade performances by Thornton… Continue reading Daily Trojan highlights Live! From Somewhere performance series
Thornton artists feature prominently in LACO’s recently announced 2020-21 season
The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) has announced its 2020-21 season, the “Season of the Violin,” which prominently features a number of USC Thornton artists, many of whom have enjoyed long relationships with the orchestra. Nov. 14 and 15, Keyboard Studies faculty member and LACO’S Conductor Laureate Jeffrey Kahane, who previously served for 20 years… Continue reading Thornton artists feature prominently in LACO’s recently announced 2020-21 season
NEA grants to fund new and continued work by USC Thornton faculty and alumni
The latest round of grants awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts will fuel new and continued work by USC Thornton faculty and alumni. The LA Master Chorale, led by artistic director and USC Thornton Keyboard Studies alum Grant Gershon (BM ’85), was awarded funding for a series of contemporary choral music concerts, as… Continue reading NEA grants to fund new and continued work by USC Thornton faculty and alumni
Sharon Lavery to tour with Vermont Symphony Orchestra
Sharon Lavery, resident conductor of the USC Thornton Orchestra program, is set to tour Vermont this summer with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra (VSO) for the 2019 VSO Summer Festival Tour. Lavery crafted the program for the seven-stop tour, which will be her VSO debut. The program features composers who constructed the American music identity, including… Continue reading Sharon Lavery to tour with Vermont Symphony Orchestra