Drew Mikuška wins ASCAP Screen Scoring scholarship
Drew Mikuška (BM ’14, composition), a graduate student in the USC Thornton Screen Scoring program, was recently honored by the American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers (ASCAP) Foundation with the Betty Rose Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded annually to an exceptional Screen Scoring student who will receive intensive mentorship sessions with a prominent screen… Continue reading Drew Mikuška wins ASCAP Screen Scoring scholarship
Trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire to premiere work with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
This February, jazz trumpeter and USC Thornton alumnus Ambrose Akinmusire (MM ‘07, jazz studies) will premiere an original composition with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra’s “Liquid Music” series. Akinmusire’s piece was co-commissioned by the Ecstatic Music Festival and he created the work with rapper Kool A.D. The premiere will include performances by the Mivos Quartet,… Continue reading Trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire to premiere work with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
USC Thornton comes in at #2 in latest “Hollywood Reporter” ranking
The Hollywood Reporter has again named USC Thornton on its list of the top music schools, ranking the school at number two in the world. The article, “Top 25 Music Schools, 2016” makes special mention of Thornton’s cutting-edge Screen Scoring program and its relationship to the Los Angeles music industry. Composer and Screen Scoring faculty… Continue reading USC Thornton comes in at #2 in latest “Hollywood Reporter” ranking
Daedelus creates original score for Chaplin film
USC Thornton Jazz Studies alumnus Alfred Darlington (’00), known professionally as Daedelus, recently presented an original electronic music score to Charlie Chaplin’s 1917 silent film, “Easy Street.” The live performance was part of a film series at Fig@7th known as UnSilent Cinema, in which contemporary musicians perform original accompaniment to silent films.
Alumnus Marcello Dubaz receives Emmy nomination for sound editing
USC Thornton Music Industry alumnus Marcello Dubaz (BS ’12) and his production team received a nomination for Outstanding Sound Editing at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards for their work on the 2016 History Channel production of Roots. Dubaz was a sound effects editor on the miniseries and has also been involved in post-production of The… Continue reading Alumnus Marcello Dubaz receives Emmy nomination for sound editing
“Variety” quotes Patrick Kirst on the evolution of film scoring
Screen Scoring faculty member Patrick Kirst was recently quoted by Variety in an article on shifting trends in film scoring. Noting that the “sonic world” is one of the most compelling approaches available to contemporary film composers, Kirst concluded that “the tradition that comes from a pitch-oriented score has been replaced by a sound-oriented world.… Continue reading “Variety” quotes Patrick Kirst on the evolution of film scoring
Ronald McCurdy co-authors article on changing trends in performing arts education
USC Thornton Jazz Studies faculty member Ronald C. McCurdy co-authored an article in the October edition of The Chronicle of Higher Education entitled “The New Performing-Arts Curriculum.” The article, with contributions from faculty members of Clemson University in South Carolina, examined the need for performance and arts-related degree programs to adapt curricula to accommodate a… Continue reading Ronald McCurdy co-authors article on changing trends in performing arts education
Gamble House to host USC Thornton student concert series
This season, the iconic Gamble House in Pasadena will collaborate with USC Thornton to present a four-part music series entitled “House Music.” The 1908 showpiece of American Arts and Crafts architecture, a National Historic Landmark, is currently deeded to the city of Pasadena and managed by the USC School of Architecture. The first of four… Continue reading Gamble House to host USC Thornton student concert series
Greg Phillinganes brings all-star band to campus to perform with students
On Friday, Oct. 21, noted musical director Greg Phillinganes brought an all-star band to campus for a special Popular Music Forum featuring musicians from the bands of Michael Jackson, The Tonight Show, and more. After running the band through examples of musical genres, from Rihanna’s “Work” to Bob Marley’s “I Shot the Sheriff” and Willie… Continue reading Greg Phillinganes brings all-star band to campus to perform with students
Patrice Rushen featured in Billboard Top 5 single
Patrice Rushen, chair of USC Thornton’s Popular Music program, is featured as keyboardist and vocalist on the new single, “As You Are,” which made Billboard‘s list of “Top 5 Hot Singles.” The track, by vocalist Lori Jenaire and producer/arranger “Ready” Freddie Washington, is a remake of Pharoah Sanders’ 1978 R&B classic and features drummer James… Continue reading Patrice Rushen featured in Billboard Top 5 single