Andrew Norman premieres work with Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Phil
Andrew Norman, a member of the USC Thornton Composition faculty, premiered a work with the Los Angeles Philharmonic (LA Phil), under conductor Gustavo Dudamel, last week. Norman’s Play: Level 1 is adapted from his 2013 orchestral cycle, Play, which echoes the exuberantly frenetic, startlingly disjointed experience of video game-play, and which was recorded on CD… Continue reading Andrew Norman premieres work with Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Phil
Ted Hearne’s oratorio, “The Source,” to be staged in L.A. and S.F. next season
“The Source,” a strikingly contemporary oratorio by Ted Hearne, of the USC Thornton Composition faculty, will receive its west coast premiere in October of 2016 as part of LA Opera’s Off Grand performance initiative. The production, which will be staged at REDCAT, is part of an ongoing collaboration with Beth Morrison Projects to present experimental… Continue reading Ted Hearne’s oratorio, “The Source,” to be staged in L.A. and S.F. next season
Composer Mark Weiser’s opera named year’s top operatic event
“Where Angels Fear to Tread,” an opera by composer and USC Thornton Composition faculty member Mark Weiser, was named the top operatic event for 2015 by the San Francisco Chronicle (paywall). Premiered in February of 2015 by Opera San Jose, the opera is based on the novel by E.M. Forster and features a libretto by… Continue reading Composer Mark Weiser’s opera named year’s top operatic event
Alan L. Smith to join Stephanie Blythe at Carnegie Hall
Alan L. Smith, chair of Keyboard Studies and director of the Keyboard Collaborative Arts program at USC Thornton, will accompany internationally-renowned mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe, at her January 23rd “Sing America” concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The performance will give audience members the opportunity to sing-along with Blythe to classic American songs, including… Continue reading Alan L. Smith to join Stephanie Blythe at Carnegie Hall
Four stars for Ron McCurdy’s Langston Hughes Project with rapper Ice-T
The Langston Hughes Project, an ongoing series of music, artworks and performances by trumpeter and USC Thornton Jazz Studies professor Ron McCurdy, received rave reviews for its European premiere at the Barbican Theatre in London last month. The project realizes the late poet Langston Hughes’ ambitions to create a jazz accompaniment to his 1961 poem,… Continue reading Four stars for Ron McCurdy’s Langston Hughes Project with rapper Ice-T
Faculty member Lynn Helding inaugurates vocal science association
Lynn Helding, a faculty member of the USC Thornton Vocal Arts and Opera program who specializes in vocal pedagogy, delivered the keynote address at the inaugural symposium of PAVA, the Pan-American Vocology Association, in October at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. PAVA stems from the relatively new field of voice science — also… Continue reading Faculty member Lynn Helding inaugurates vocal science association
Ted Hearne’s oratorio, “The Source,“ released as album
Composer Ted Hearne, a faculty member of the USC Thornton Composition department, has released a new album of his oratorio, “The Source.” Built around short samples of spoken language, snippets of popular music, and disjointed instrumental riffs, the 2014 work examines the experience of US Army Private Chelsea Manning, who infamously leaked classified military documents… Continue reading Ted Hearne’s oratorio, “The Source,“ released as album
Frank Ticheli’s “Radiant Voices” to be performed by Long Beach Symphony
An orchestral work by USC Thornton Composition professor Frank Ticheli will be performed by the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, November 14, 2015 at 8:00pm. Ticheli’s bold and percussive “Radiant Voices,” composed in the after-light of the 1992 Los Angeles riots, will feature violin soloist Heather Clark, under the baton of conductor Edward Cumming.… Continue reading Frank Ticheli’s “Radiant Voices” to be performed by Long Beach Symphony
Composer Mark Weiser’s “High Velocity” wins two prizes
Mark Weiser, of the USC Thornton Composition faculty, has won notoriety for his 2012 work, High Velocity. The solo piano piece won first prize at The Ear, a recent concert event in New York City, and was awarded the 2015 International Heckscher Composition Prize by Ithaca College. High Velocity has been recorded by pianist Hannah… Continue reading Composer Mark Weiser’s “High Velocity” wins two prizes
Michael Garcia, CVE
Michael Garcia brings over 40 years of experience in the live entertainment, concert promotion, and venue management industries to USC’s Music Industry Program. Known for combining practical expertise with a commitment to education, Mike has shaped the careers of countless students and professionals in the music industry. Mike began his career as a concert promoter… Continue reading Michael Garcia, CVE