Thornton-born duo VOILÀ makes music for, and stars in, Netflix’s Tall Girl
Music Industry alum Gus Ross (’18) and non-degreed alum Luke Eisner first started music duo VOILÀ in their USC dorm rooms, and now their song “Stand Tall” is featured in Netflix’s original movie “Tall Girl.” After reading the script the duo was inspired to rework their track “Stand Tall” for the movie, and have “Tall… Continue reading Thornton-born duo VOILÀ makes music for, and stars in, Netflix’s Tall Girl
Andrew Harrison selected as Beverly Hills National Audition winner
USC Thornton alum and saxophonist Andrew Harrison (DMA ’15) was recently selected as a 2019-2020 Beverly Hills National Audition winner. Performers are awarded annually, and subsequently perform monthly in various concert series to celebrate and showcase their selection. After a recent installment of the concert series The Interludes, Harrison received a glowing review in the… Continue reading Andrew Harrison selected as Beverly Hills National Audition winner
USC Thornton faculty and alumni enter GRAMMY Award consideration
A number of Thornton faculty and alumni have entered consideration for GRAMMY award nominations. Jazz Studies faculty member Sara Gazarek’s album Thirsty Ghost is up for consideration in multiple categories including Best Jazz Vocal Album. Alumnus Gernot Wolfgang’s (GCRT ’94) chamber music album, Vienna and the West, was entered in the Best Classical Compendium category.… Continue reading USC Thornton faculty and alumni enter GRAMMY Award consideration
Bing Wang judges nation-wide songwriting competition in Singapore
USC Thornton faculty member and music producer Bing Wang landed a spot on the judging panel for Singapore’s nation-wide Mandopop songwriting festival, SG:SW2017 I Write The Songs. Wang was joined by Singaporean xinyao pioneer Liang Wern Fook and singer-songwriter Wong Hong Mok to judge the 12 performances given at the finale concert on Saturday, Sept… Continue reading Bing Wang judges nation-wide songwriting competition in Singapore
Christian Kolo announced as 2019 Pete Carpenter Fellow
Thornton alumnus Christian Kolo (MM ’19, Screen Scoring) was recently announced as the winner of the 2019 Pete Carpenter Fellowship, a residency for aspiring film, television, and video game composers. Kolo is an award-winning composer, and was awarded the fellowship based on his composition, “Hold On!” The award includes a stipend for four to five… Continue reading Christian Kolo announced as 2019 Pete Carpenter Fellow
Andrae Alexander
Andrae Alexander is a Grammy Award-winning (2022 Album of the Year – Jon Batiste, “We Are”) composer, musician and professor who moved to Los Angeles in 2009 from Maryland. He is also a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and the United States Navy Band of Washington, D.C., which is a Presidential Support Unit.… Continue reading Andrae Alexander
Christopher Young’s Pet Sematary soundtrack released on vinyl
Christopher Young‘s original soundtrack for the 2019 remake of Stephen King’s Pet Sematary was recently released on vinyl by Waxwork Records. Young is a Golden Globe-nominated composer known for his work on Hellraiser, Drag Me To Hell and Trick or Treat, and an adjunct assistant professor for USC Thornton’s Screen Scoring program. The soundtrack is… Continue reading Christopher Young’s Pet Sematary soundtrack released on vinyl
Carly Rose discusses reality TV past and upcoming E.P. on Spectrum News
Music Industry student Carly Rose recently appeared on Spectrum News to talk about her latest single and upcoming debut E.P. Rose released her first single “Birds & Bees” in June and made waves with her indie-pop talent. She plans to release her full E.P. in 2020. “Birds & Bees” isn’t Rose’s first musical breakthrough. Her… Continue reading Carly Rose discusses reality TV past and upcoming E.P. on Spectrum News
Watch Will Kennedy perform in Zildjian LIVE! video series
Will Kennedy, drummer and Popular Music program faculty member, was recently featured in an episode of Zildjian LIVE! performing his song “6 4 U” with band Ghost-Note. Kennedy invited USC Thornton drum students to attend the live taping to see his performance and get a behind the scenes look at the production. The song will… Continue reading Watch Will Kennedy perform in Zildjian LIVE! video series
Patrice Rushen returns to Monterey Jazz Festival with Christian McBride Situation
Patrice Rushen, chair of the USC Thornton Popular Music program, was recently featured in the San Francisco Chronicle ahead of her return to the Monterey Jazz Festival on September 27 with the Christian McBride Situation. Rushen first performed at the festival as a senior in high school in 1972, when she led her combo to… Continue reading Patrice Rushen returns to Monterey Jazz Festival with Christian McBride Situation