Musical Theatre students and Sound Off! Music for Bail present events this weekend
This weekend, Musical Theatre students present a student-produced film that explores the legacy of enslavement, while graduate certificate student and Los Angeles Orchestra Fellow Jay Julio Laureta’s ensemble, Sound Off! Music for Bail, presents a virtual concert and fundraiser for a national bail fund. On Friday, Feb. 26 at 5:00 pm (PST), students in USC’s… Continue reading Musical Theatre students and Sound Off! Music for Bail present events this weekend
Lila Forde releases EP, In Another Life
Lila Forde, a senior in USC Thornton’s Jazz Studies program, recently released an EP, In Another Life, and was profiled in a Daily Trojan article about the project. In the article, Forde discusses her inspiration for the release, and how she has grown during her time in the Jazz Studies program while working with faculty… Continue reading Lila Forde releases EP, In Another Life
Jensen McRae named to #YouTubeBlack Voices Class of 2021
Singer-songwriter and Popular Music alum Jensen McRae (BM ‘19) has been named as one of the 21 artists in YouTube Music’s #YouTubeBlack Voices Class of 2021. Each artist in the program will receive seed funding to develop their YouTube channels as well as support from YouTube through training, workshops, and networking opportunities. The program is… Continue reading Jensen McRae named to #YouTubeBlack Voices Class of 2021
Jonathan Azu launches Diversity in Music, a new jobs database for entertainment
Jonathan Azu, a faculty member in the Music Industry program and founder of management firm, Culture Collective, has launched Diversity in Music, a new jobs database for BIPOC (black, indigenous, people of color) and female music professionals seeking employment. The Diversity in Music site allows individuals in the entertainment sector who are looking for work… Continue reading Jonathan Azu launches Diversity in Music, a new jobs database for entertainment
Grammy-winning TV and film composer Perry Botkin Jr. dies at 87
Perry Botkin Jr., a GRAMMY Award-winning and Oscar-nominated television and film composer, and alumnus of USC Thornton, died on January 18 at the age of 87. The acclaimed arranger was well-known for his composition of the themes to “Happy Days,” “Mork and Mindy,” and “The Young and the Restless.” Botkin’s musical career began when he… Continue reading Grammy-winning TV and film composer Perry Botkin Jr. dies at 87
Peter Boyer composes music for presidential inauguration
Composer and USC Thornton alum Peter Boyer (GCRT ’96) received the honor of composing a new piece for the festivities surrounding the Jan. 20 inauguration of President Joe Biden. Boyer was featured in the Los Angeles Times in a story about the significance of the commission. Titled “Fanfare for Tomorrow,” the piece was commissioned to… Continue reading Peter Boyer composes music for presidential inauguration
Alan Pasqua talks career and creative partnerships in San Diego Union Tribune
Alan Pasqua, a faculty member in the Jazz Studies program, was recently featured in a San Diego Union-Tribune article about his career, recent album release, and longtime creative partnership with fellow faculty member Peter Erskine. Within the piece, Pasqua speaks about his experiences over the years working with artists like Bob Dylan, Eddie Money and… Continue reading Alan Pasqua talks career and creative partnerships in San Diego Union Tribune
DownBeat magazine interviews Yellowjackets about latest album, Jackets XL
DownBeat magazine recently interviewed the members of the legendary jazz group Yellowjackets, which includes USC Thornton faculty members Russell Ferrante, Willl Kennedy and Bob Mintzer. The group spoke about their latest album, Jackets XL, which DownBeat calls “vibrant” and “robust.” Throughout the interview, the group speaks about the creation of some of the album’s tracks… Continue reading DownBeat magazine interviews Yellowjackets about latest album, Jackets XL
Jensen McRae’s “Wolves” named one of KCRW’s Best of 2020
In KCRW’s roundup of some of the best music of 2020, Popular Music alum Jensen McRae’s (BM ’19) 2020 release, “Wolves,” was named among the top 15 songs most loved by the station’s DJs. “Wolves” is one of a few songs McRae has released ahead of her first full length album, expected to release later… Continue reading Jensen McRae’s “Wolves” named one of KCRW’s Best of 2020
Jermaine Stegall featured on The Star Wars Show
Screen Scoring alum Jermaine Stegall (GCRT ’04) was interviewed in a special segment of “The Star Wars Show” about the composer’s work on “Our Star Wars Stories,” a digital series about the devoted fans of Star Wars. Stegall’s connection to the Star Wars universe began when he attended a composing lab at Skywalker Ranch, which… Continue reading Jermaine Stegall featured on The Star Wars Show