Vice Dean Chris Sampson remembers legendary guitarist Chuck Berry
USC Thornton Contemporary Music faculty member Chris Sampson was recently quoted in a Los Angeles Wave article honoring the life of legendary guitarist Chuck Berry, who passed away earlier this month. Describing Berry as “a great rock poet” whose lyricism and stage presence brought a new interpretation to R&B music, Sampson explained that Berry’s emergence… Continue reading Vice Dean Chris Sampson remembers legendary guitarist Chuck Berry
Lindsay Wolfington and Music Industry alumni receive Guild of Music Supervisor nominations
A number of USC Thornton Music Industry faculty and alumni were nominated for 2017 Guild of Music Supervisor Awards. Faculty member Lindsay Wolfington and alumna Heather Guibert (’06, music industry) were each nominated for Best Music Supervision in a Television Drama – for The Royals and Rosewood, respectively – while Guibert was also nominated for… Continue reading Lindsay Wolfington and Music Industry alumni receive Guild of Music Supervisor nominations
Peter Erskine quoted in LA Times article about “La La Land”
Peter Erskine, legendary jazz drummer and director of Drumset Studies at USC Thornton, was recently featured in a Los Angeles Times article about his work as a session musician for the award-winning film, La La Land. The film explores a musician’s crisis of conscience about performing music simply to earn a paycheck. “I look at… Continue reading Peter Erskine quoted in LA Times article about “La La Land”
Strong USC Thornton showing in LA Phil’s 2017-18 season
The Los Angeles Philharmonic (LA Phil) recently announced its 2017-18 concert season, which includes featured performances by numerous USC Thornton faculty and alumni. In December, the Calder Quartet, which includes Thornton alumni Benjamin Jacobson (BM’01, MM’07, violin), Andrew Bulbrook (BM ’02, violin), Jonathan Moerschel (BM ’01, MM ’03, viola) and Eric Byers (BM ’03, cello),… Continue reading Strong USC Thornton showing in LA Phil’s 2017-18 season
Frank Potenza to be honored in native Rhode Island
Frank Potenza, a member of USC Thornton’s Studio/Jazz Guitar faculty, will be inducted into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame. The Providence native lived in Rhode Island until the 1980’s and formerly taught at the Rhode Island School of Music. Potenza, who is an active performer, composer and arranger, has released 9 solo albums… Continue reading Frank Potenza to be honored in native Rhode Island
Támar Davis performs at MojaMoja Brunch & Benefit Concert
USC Thornton Music Industry alumna Támar Davis (’02) performed at the 9th annual MojaMoja Brunch & Benefit concert last month, celebrating the life and musical legacy of Prince. Davis, known professionally as Támar, competed on the hit NBC show “The Voice” and was nominated for a GRAMMY Award for the 2006 song “Beautiful, Loved and… Continue reading Támar Davis performs at MojaMoja Brunch & Benefit Concert
Thornton faculty member Dana Gioia defends the NEA in LA Times Op-Ed
California Poet Laureate and USC Thornton Arts Leadership faculty member Dana Gioia outlined the remarkable successes of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and challenged arguments to defund the organization in a recent Los Angeles Times Op-Ed. Gioia, who was twice unanimously confirmed by the Senate to lead the NEA, from 2003 through 2009,… Continue reading Thornton faculty member Dana Gioia defends the NEA in LA Times Op-Ed
Vince Mendoza releases album with WDR Big Band
The WDR Big Band will release an album of music by USC Thornton Jazz composer and alumnus Vince Mendoza, who is currently Composer in Residence and 1st Guest Conductor for the Cologne, Germany, based ensemble. Homecoming, which will be released March 3rd, features 7 original tracks composed especially for the band and recorded live at… Continue reading Vince Mendoza releases album with WDR Big Band
Alumnus Ray Zepeda presents a Milton Babbitt tribute concert
Saxophonist Ray Zepeda (MM ’98, Jazz Studies), founder and artistic director of the Bakersfield New Music Collective, recently organized a tribute concert for the serial composer, Milton Babbitt. The free event, entitled “Re-Imagining Milton Babbitt: A Centennial Celebration for an Exceptional American,” took place at The Mark in downtown Bakersfield and featured seminal pieces by… Continue reading Alumnus Ray Zepeda presents a Milton Babbitt tribute concert
Alumni arrange and score for Paramount’s “XXX: Return of Xander Cage”
USC Thornton Screen Scoring alumni Robert Lydecker (BM ’08, film scoring, GCRT ‘09, SMPTV), Kenny Wood (GCRT ‘09, SMPTV) and Harrison Lee (GCRT ’12, SMPTV) worked on the score for Paramount’s new film XXX: Return of Xander Cage, which was released this past January. Wood and Lee served as arrangers on the project, while Lydecker… Continue reading Alumni arrange and score for Paramount’s “XXX: Return of Xander Cage”