Posts Tagged ‘Contemporary Music Division’


Portrait of Chanda Dancy

Chanda Dancy to compose score for upcoming film “Devotion”

November 18, 2022

USC Thornton Screen Scoring program alumna Chanda Dancy (GRCT ‘04) will compose the score for upcoming film “Devotion.” The film is based on a book of the same name by Adam Makos about the first black aviator pilot in the Navy during the Korean War. Dancy is an accomplished film and TV composer known for… Continue reading Chanda Dancy to compose score for upcoming film “Devotion”


Photo of Seth Parker Woods performing with an illustration of a GRAMMY Award.

Multiple USC Thornton Grads and Faculty Nominated for 2023 GRAMMY Awards

November 15, 2022

Alumni and faculty from the Jazz Studies program lead a lengthy list of USC Thornton nominees.


Photo portrait of Jensen McRae

Jensen McRae discusses inspiration and collaboration

November 9, 2022

Oct. 19, MTV published a profile of USC Thornton popular music program alumna Jensen McRae. The site mentioned Jensen’s recent sold-out opening performances in New York’s Rockwood Music Hall for singer Amos Lee, as well as the literary roots and collaborative perspective of Jensen’s music. “If I’m having writer’s block in one area, focusing on… Continue reading Jensen McRae discusses inspiration and collaboration


Photo of a trumpet player in purple stage light.

The Process: Ethan Chilton

October 27, 2022

Jazz Studies alum took advantage of opportunities at USC Thornton to compose for jazz and orchestral musicians.  


Photo of Richard Smith playing a red electric guitar.

Richard Smith releases new single co-written with alumnus Adam Hawley

October 25, 2022

USC Thornton Studio Guitar and Popular Music professor Richard Smith has released a new single called “Groove Assets” on Sept. 1. According to The Urban Music Scene, the single was produced and co-written by USC Thornton alumnus Adam Hawley (BA ‘06, MA ‘08, DMA ‘10). “Groove Assets” is their third collaboration together. “There is no… Continue reading Richard Smith releases new single co-written with alumnus Adam Hawley


Photo of composer Bear McCreary

Bear McCreary composes score for “Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power”

October 17, 2022

USC Thornton Composition program alumnus Bear McCreary (BM ‘02) composed the score for Amazon Prime Video series “Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.” In an interview about the score, McCreary said: “I was really excited at the possibility of exploring familiar sounds that we associate with the Peter Jackson films and Howard Shore’s… Continue reading Bear McCreary composes score for “Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power”


Photo of Loren Medina, 2021

Loren Medina talks about working with today’s Latinx music stars

October 12, 2022

USC Thornton Music Industry program adjunct instructor and Latina publicist Loren Medina was interviewed by POPSUGAR about how she founded her firm Guerrera PR, Marketing & Management and came to work with some of today’s rising Latinx music stars. In the interview, Medina touched on the importance of maintaining her authenticity despite the industry’s pressures,… Continue reading Loren Medina talks about working with today’s Latinx music stars


Photo of Gerald Clayton

Gerald Clayton speaks about fostering the next generation of jazz

October 10, 2022

Six-time GRAMMY Award-nominated pianist, composer and USC Thornton alumnus Gerald Clayton (’07) was recently interviewed by Document Journal alongside Emmy Award winner Kris Bowers about the 65th annual Monterey Jazz Festival and all things jazz. Clayton is the director of this year’s Next Generation Jazz Orchestra so he shared what it’s been like working with… Continue reading Gerald Clayton speaks about fostering the next generation of jazz


Photo of jazz group saje, wearing yellow uniforms holding flowers.

säje releases first single from their debut album

September 19, 2022

GRAMMY-nominated female vocal supergroup säje, which includes USC Thornton Jazz Studies faculty member Sara Gazarek, released the first single from their upcoming debut album on September 12. The single is a cover of “As This Moment Slips Away” by The Bad Plus bassist Reid Anderson, and it features three-time GRAMMY-winning drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, saxophonist… Continue reading säje releases first single from their debut album


Photo collage of smiling students with their instruments.

A Summer to Remember

September 15, 2022

Thornton Student Ambassadors look back on a summer of unforgettable opportunities and important lessons.