Rod Gilfry sings Don Alfonso in back-to-back European productions
Baritone Rod Gilfry, a member of USC Thornton’s Vocal Arts & Opera faculty, recently performed the role of Don Alfonso in back-to-back runs of Mozart’s Così fan tutte in the UK and France. The co-production, directed by Christophe Honoré and conducted by Louis Langrée and Jérémie Rhorer, was first presented at the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence in… Continue reading Rod Gilfry sings Don Alfonso in back-to-back European productions
Sean Holt contributes tips for vocal health on tour
Popular Music faculty member Sean Holt (MM ’91, jazz studies) was recently quoted in Reverb about his “5 Tips For Vocal Health While On Tour.” The USC Thornton alumnus and professional vocalist with 25 years of performing experience compared the physical challenges of touring as a vocalist to those faced by professional athletes. “When you… Continue reading Sean Holt contributes tips for vocal health on tour
Jeffrey Kahane appointed music director of Sarasota Music Festival
Conductor and pianist Jeffrey Kahane, a member of the USC Thornton Keyboard Studies faculty, has been appointed music director of the Sarasota Music Festival, a program of the Sarasota Orchestra. The annual festival, founded in 1965, welcomes international faculty artists and college-aged musicians for three weeks of orchestral and chamber music concerts, recitals, masterclasses, and… Continue reading Jeffrey Kahane appointed music director of Sarasota Music Festival
Donald Crockett remembers composer Steven Stucky
Donald Crockett, chair of the USC Thornton Composition department, was quoted in the Boston Globe about his close friendship with composer Steven Stucky, who died in February. Crockett came to know the Pulitzer Prize-winner in the 1980’s when Stucky began serving as composer in residence for the Los Angeles Philharmonic (LA Phil). “His sense of… Continue reading Donald Crockett remembers composer Steven Stucky
Cristian Grases premieres new choral work at Carnegie Hall
Cristian Grases, a member of the USC Thornton Choral and Sacred Music faculty, recently premiered his new composition entitled Nocturnos y Adivinanzas (Nocturnes and Riddles) with Distinguished Concerts International New York. The June 12th concert, held at Carnegie Hall, included a chorus of 200 young singers from across the U.S. The six-movement Nocturnos y Adivinanzas… Continue reading Cristian Grases premieres new choral work at Carnegie Hall
Keyboard faculty teach, conduct and perform across the U.S. this summer
Lucinda Carver, vice dean of the USC Thornton Division of Classical Performance and Composition, will conduct two programs at the Music in the Mountains festival in Northern California this month. On June 26, she will lead an all-Mozart program, followed on June 28 by a program featuring Holst, Vaughn Williams, and Dvořák. This month, Carver… Continue reading Keyboard faculty teach, conduct and perform across the U.S. this summer
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to award Ralph Kirshbaum with honorary degree
Cellist Ralph Kirshbaum, chair of the USC Thornton Strings department and Gregor Piatigorsky Chair in Violoncello, will receive an Honorary Degree from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS), in recognition of his contributions to the arts. In its announcement of the award, the Conservatoire noted that Kirshbaum “is indisputably one of the most significant artists… Continue reading Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to award Ralph Kirshbaum with honorary degree
Cristian Grases leads the Miami Children’s Chorus
USC Thornton Choral & Sacred Music faculty member Cristian Grases recently led the members of the Miami Children’s Chorus in a sing-along entitled “Sing Miami: Music of the Americas.” The April 9th community event was created to inspire a love of choral music for Miami-area children while celebrating the diverse backgrounds of people in the… Continue reading Cristian Grases leads the Miami Children’s Chorus
Composition students, faculty win American Academy of Arts & Letters Awards
Two doctoral candidates and a faculty member of the USC Thornton Composition program have received awards from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. DMA candidate Brett Banducci received the $10,000 Andrew Imbrie Award for “a composer of demonstrated artistic merit.” DMA candidate Thomas Kotcheff (MM ’12) and faculty member Jeffrey Parola were each awarded… Continue reading Composition students, faculty win American Academy of Arts & Letters Awards
Lucinda Carver receives USC Mentoring Award
Lucinda Carver, vice dean of USC Thornton’s Division of Classical Performance and Composition, was selected for a 2016 USC Mentoring Award from the Office of the Vice Provost for Academic and Faculty Affairs. Carver was nominated by a student or peer for her work over the last year and throughout her time at USC and… Continue reading Lucinda Carver receives USC Mentoring Award