Popular Music chair Patrice Rushen speaks at Amherst College
USC Thornton Popular Music chair Patrice Rushen was recently invited to Amherst College in Massachusetts to speak about the importance of popular music in higher education. As part of the “New Perspectives in American Music” lecture series, Rushen detailed how Thornton’s Popular Music program has filled an under-served niche in musical curriculum. The discussion was… Continue reading Popular Music chair Patrice Rushen speaks at Amherst College
Pop alumna Maddie Ross profiled in “Billboard”
USC Thornton Popular Music alumna Maddie Ross (’14) is the focus of a feature profile in Billboard, which explores her innovative and entrepreneurial approach to music-making. Placing her recent single, “You’re Still My Sugar,” among “the best rock songs released this year,” the article survey’s Ross’s creative process, her podcast, coming out as queer, and… Continue reading Pop alumna Maddie Ross profiled in “Billboard”
Pacific Symphony performance with Peter Boyer to be broadcast on PBS
Ellis Island: The Dream of America, a multimedia orchestral work by composer and USC Thornton alumnus Peter Boyer (GCRT ’96, SMPTV) was the centerpiece of the Pacific Symphony’s recent American Composers Festival from April 6-8. Conducted by music director and USC Thornton faculty member Carl St.Clair, the GRAMMY-nominated piece incorporates narration and projected imagery to… Continue reading Pacific Symphony performance with Peter Boyer to be broadcast on PBS
Popular Music alumni, MUNA featured in heartwarming Vice video
The band MUNA, which was formed by Thornton Popular Music alumni Katie Gavin (BA ’15) and Josette Maskin (’16), along with Naomi McPherson, recently sat down to record a video for Vice’s Noisey series “Call Your Dad” — but things didn’t go exactly as planned. When band member Josette rang up her South African father… Continue reading Popular Music alumni, MUNA featured in heartwarming Vice video
Thornton Combo takes top prize at Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival
The USC Thornton Jazz Composers Collective recently took first place at the Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival. Under the direction of faculty member Vince Mendoza, the Composers Collective performed all original music and have been invited back for a special engagement at the Monterey Jazz Festival this coming September. Thornton saxophonist and DMA candidate Ramsey… Continue reading Thornton Combo takes top prize at Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival
Charles Gutierrez
Charles Gutierrez comes from Southern California, growing up within the club performance music scenes, starting at the young age of fourteen, playing in the local L.A. and Orange County venues. Primarily a guitarist, but playing a variety of instruments, Gutierrez studied at Musicians Institute in the early 80’s with private guitar instruction from a variety… Continue reading Charles Gutierrez
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