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
GCRT candidate Sung Chang wins second price at San Antonio piano competition
Sung Chang, a GCRT candidate in the USC Thornton Keyboard Studies program, won the Silver Medal at the San Antonio International Piano Competition (SAIPC) on June 11. A student of faculty member Jeffrey Kahane, Chang performed Haydn’s Sonata in E Major, Hob. XVI:31, Ravel’s La valse, Debussy’s Prelude, Book 1, No. 6, and Granados’ Valses… Continue reading GCRT candidate Sung Chang wins second price at San Antonio piano competition
American Composers Orchestra to perform work by Sarah Gibson
Sarah Gibson (MM ’10, DMA ’15), a member of the USC Thornton Composition faculty, is one of seven composers whose works will be performed by the American Composers Orchestra (ACO), an ensemble dedicated to reading and performing new contemporary classical music. The ACO’s 25th annual Underwood New Music Readings concert will take place on June… Continue reading American Composers Orchestra to perform work by Sarah Gibson
PICF ’16: Finding the body and soul of the cello
The Los Angeles Times reviewed the many events that occurred over the Festival’s opening weekend, from the three concerto concerts at Walt Disney Concert Hall to an opening night gala at USC’s Bovard Auditorium. Music critic Mark Swed wrote that “…Sunday, the first full day of the festival, a bevy of spectacular cellists used the… Continue reading PICF ’16: Finding the body and soul of the cello
Matthew Mason to premiere composition at San Antonio competition
Matthew Mason, a non-degreed alumnus of the USC Thornton Keyboard Studies program, was commissioned to compose a work for the San Antonio International Piano Competition, which will take place this June. Each of the five competition finalists will perform Mason’s commissioned piano work, the world premiere of which will take place at the quadrennial event.… Continue reading Matthew Mason to premiere composition at San Antonio competition
Keenan Reesor takes teaching position with Southern Virginia University
Pianist and USC Thornton Musicology PhD candidate Keenan Reesor (MM ’10, piano performance) has accepted a tenure track position as Assistant Professor of Music at Southern Virginia University, where he will begin teaching music history and piano in the fall. Reesor is a laureate of the Wideman and Virginia Waring International Piano Competitions and a… Continue reading Keenan Reesor takes teaching position with Southern Virginia University
Pianist Daniel Pollack profiled for his Lalo Schifrin collaboration
The Huffington Post recently profiled pianist Daniel Pollack of the USC Thornton Keyboard Studies faculty in reference to his February premiere of an original work by composer Lalo Schifrin. The piece, The Malambo Con Brio, is the culmination of a personal and professional collaboration between Pollack and Schifrin that began in 1980. Written specifically for… Continue reading Pianist Daniel Pollack profiled for his Lalo Schifrin collaboration
Norman Krieger saves the day as last-minute replacement with San Antonio Symphony
Norman Krieger, professor of Keyboard Studies at USC Thornton, recently stepped in for two performances of Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1 with the San Antonio Symphony and maestro Sebastian Lang-Lessing, March 4th and 5th. The previously scheduled pianist, Peter Serkin, was forced to cancel due to illness. A veteran touring performer, Krieger took a last-minute… Continue reading Norman Krieger saves the day as last-minute replacement with San Antonio Symphony
Alan L. Smith Tanglewood commission now streaming online
The Tanglewood Music Center celebrated its 75th Anniversary this past summer by commissioning over 30 pieces by distinguished composers and alumni, including Alan L. Smith, chair of Keyboard Studies at USC Thornton and director of the Keyboard Collaborative Arts program. Smith’s composition, “I’m Memorizing You,” as well as a work by honorary USC alumnus John… Continue reading Alan L. Smith Tanglewood commission now streaming online
Pianist Steven Vanhauwaert releases two new albums
USC Thornton alumnus Steven Vanhauwaert (MM ’06, GCRT ’08, piano) released two collaborative albums last month, “Joseph Woelfl: The Paris Years” and “Pensées Intimes” (“Intimate Thoughts”). Both recordings were created in collaboration with violinist and UCLA professor Guillaume Sutre. The first album, “Joseph Woelfl: The Paris Years,” which also features Kyunghee Kim-Sutre on the harp,… Continue reading Pianist Steven Vanhauwaert releases two new albums