Posts Tagged ‘Contemporary Music Division’


Photo of Emily Rosenfield

Emily Rosenfield tours with Hamilton (And Peggy) Company

December 10, 2021

Session guitarist and USC Thornton Studio Guitar alum Emily Rosenfield (’16) is the first female guitarist to tour with the Hamilton (And Peggy) Company. She is also part of Hamilton‘s first-ever majority female band. The company’s music director, Lily Ling, called Rosenfield “amazing” in the November issue of International Musician. Rosenfield has previously played on… Continue reading Emily Rosenfield tours with Hamilton (And Peggy) Company


Bruce Forman with guitar

Bruce Forman featured on cover of Jazz Guitar Today

December 3, 2021

Guitarist Bruce Forman, a faculty member in the Thornton Studio Guitar program, was the focus of a cover story in the latest issue of Jazz Guitar Today. In the feature, Forman speaks about his new album, Reunion!, the way that storytelling influences his music and how he developed the skill to hold a conversation and… Continue reading Bruce Forman featured on cover of Jazz Guitar Today


Digital illustration of Peter Erskine and Vince Mendoza

Peter Erskine and Vince Mendoza honored at 2021 Jazz Tribute Awards Concert

December 1, 2021

USC Thornton Jazz Studies Department faculty members Peter Erskine and Vince Mendoza will be honored at the Los Angeles Jazz Society’s 2021 Jazz Tribute Awards Concert on December 4 at The Montalban Theatre in Hollywood. Erskine will be recognized as the Tribute Honoree and Mendoza will receive the Composer/Arranger Award. This annual concert celebrates jazz… Continue reading Peter Erskine and Vince Mendoza honored at 2021 Jazz Tribute Awards Concert


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USC Thornton ranked among top 20 music schools for composing for film and TV by The Hollywood Reporter

November 23, 2021

This month, the USC Thornton School of Music topped the list of the 20 best music schools for composing for film and TV by The Hollywood Reporter. The rankings noted Thornton’s commitment to inclusivity — women comprise 50% of students currently enrolled in the screen scoring program, making it one of the most gender-diverse programs… Continue reading USC Thornton ranked among top 20 music schools for composing for film and TV by The Hollywood Reporter


Photo from Amazon Studios’ "My Name is Pauli Murray."

Jongnic Bontemps nominated for Critics Choice Documentary Award

November 11, 2021

Screen Scoring alum Jongnic Bontemps (GCRT ’12) has been nominated for Best Score at the 2021 Critics Choice Association’s Documentary Awards for his work on Amazon Studios’ My Name is Pauli Murray. The winners will be announced at a gala on November 14 in Brooklyn. Bontemps is a critically-acclaimed film composer known for fusing a… Continue reading Jongnic Bontemps nominated for Critics Choice Documentary Award


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Thornton Popular Music alumni earn international airplay for “Maggie Dave – Old You”

October 31, 2021

“Old You,” a single released by pop duo Maggie Dave featuring several Thornton Popular Music alums, aired on Netherlands’ NPO Radio 2 with DJ Giel Beelen. Alumni performing on the track include Tehillah Alphonso (‘20) arranging and performing backing vocals, John C. Schroeder (‘10) and Mallory Hauser (‘19) on guitar, and Ian Wurfl (‘16) on… Continue reading Thornton Popular Music alumni earn international airplay for “Maggie Dave – Old You”


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Olivia Morreale interviewed on American Songwriter’s “Bringin’ it Backwards” Podcast

October 4, 2021

USC Thornton alum Olivia Morreale (BM ‘18) was interviewed on American Songwriters’ podcast series “Bringin’ it Backwards.” In the episode, Morreale discussed her musical upbringing and how she started songwriting and collaborating with fellow alum Eli Koskoff (BM ’19, Jazz Studies) on her new EP, Space Dreams. The EP features four tracks and draws from… Continue reading Olivia Morreale interviewed on American Songwriter’s “Bringin’ it Backwards” Podcast


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Ashley Fulton

September 9, 2021

Ashley Fulton is a student ambassador and Music Production major in the Contemporary Music Division at the USC Thornton School of Music.


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Sydney Ahmed

September 9, 2021

Major: Music Industry Minor: Legal Studies Graduation year: 2023 Hometown: Leawood, Kansas USC Organizations: Trojan Marching Band (Drumline), Gamma Phi Beta, Phi Alpha Delta, 840 West, USC Society of Women in Law Hashtag to describe yourself: #askmeaboutmydogs Favorite place on campus: The lawns around Thornton. Describe your favorite USC Thornton experience so far. My most… Continue reading Sydney Ahmed


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USC Thornton faculty and alumni nominated for 2021 Emmy Awards

July 13, 2021

USC Thornton faculty and alumni were nominated for the 73rd Emmy Awards, announced on Tuesday, July 13th. Alum Michael Abels (BM ‘84) received double nominations for his work on HBO’s Allen v. Farrow, including Outstanding Music Composition For A Documentary Series Or Special (Original Dramatic Score), and Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music), as did… Continue reading USC Thornton faculty and alumni nominated for 2021 Emmy Awards