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
Rave reviews for Andrew Norman’s “Split” with Jeffrey Kahane and the N.Y. Philharmonic
“Can the young American composer Andrew Norman keep this up?,” is the question posed by the New York Times in its fervent review of Norman’s new work, “Split,” which he premiered with pianist Jeffrey Kahane, maestro James Gaffigan, and the New York Philharmonic on December 10. Norman, whose previous orchestral work, “Play,” is currently nominated for… Continue reading Rave reviews for Andrew Norman’s “Split” with Jeffrey Kahane and the N.Y. Philharmonic
Norman Krieger performs at the University of Alabama at Birmingham
Pianist Norman Krieger, of the USC Thornton Keyboard Studies faculty, recently performed as part of the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s UAB Piano Series, which was reviewed by ArtsBHAM as “a chance to hear a mature virtuoso in an intimate setting.” The review noted that “Krieger immediately captured the nature of [Beethoven’s] ‘The Tempest’ sonata… Continue reading Norman Krieger performs at the University of Alabama at Birmingham
Keyboard Studies students win prizes at Seattle International Piano Competition
USC Thornton’s Keyboard Studies department set an impressive benchmark at the 2015 Seattle International Piano Festival & Competition, hosted by the Seattle Symphony on October 17, with students and alumni bringing home several prizes. Sam Grodin, a DMA candidate studying with Lucinda Carver, took the Silver medal in the Professional division and its accompanying $1000… Continue reading Keyboard Studies students win prizes at Seattle International Piano Competition
Hui Jin and Aram Arakelyan perform at the USC Global Conference in Shanghai
Tenor Hui Jin, an International Artist Fellow and doctoral candidate of the USC Thornton Vocal Arts and Opera program, performed for attendees of the USC Global Conference in Shanghai last week, accompanied on piano by Keyboard Studies DMA candidate Aram Arakelyan. Jin is a highly-regarded tenor from Beijing who has appeared in numerous opera productions… Continue reading Hui Jin and Aram Arakelyan perform at the USC Global Conference in Shanghai
Norman Krieger performs with Roanoke Symphony
Norman Krieger, USC Thornton professor of Keyboard Studies, recently performed with the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra for the opening of its 20th season on October 11. In a “celebratory and infectiously positive” atmosphere, as noted by the Roanoke Times, both Krieger and Roanoke music director David Stewart Wiley performed works by George Gershwin as concert soloists… Continue reading Norman Krieger performs with Roanoke Symphony
Thornton new music ensembles sparkle in LATimes review
Two new music ensembles featuring USC Thornton students and faculty were reviewed in the Los Angeles Times for a recent performance as part of Tuesdays@MonkSpace. The HOCKET piano due includes DMA Composition student Thomas Kotcheff (MM ’12) and Composition faculty member Sarah Gibson (MM ’10, DMA ’15). The Sakura ensemble centers around five cellists: Jonathan… Continue reading Thornton new music ensembles sparkle in LATimes review
Vijay Venkatesh wins prize in Seattle piano competition
Vijay Venkatesh (BM ’17, piano performance), currently a student in the USC Thornton Keyboard Studies program under Norman Krieger, has won second prize in the Seattle Symphony Piano Competition, earning $5000 and the opportunity to perform in concert with the symphony. Venkatesh will next perform in a chamber music recital with clarinetist Micah Wright at… Continue reading Vijay Venkatesh wins prize in Seattle piano competition
Evan Pensis shares sophisticated piano repertoire with prison audiences
Evan Pensis (BM ’16, piano), a fourth-year student in the USC Thornton Keyboard Studies program, has garnered press attention for his performances for prisoners at the Arizona State Prison in Florence, Arizona. The Florence Reminder & Blade Tribune profiled Pensis’ recent recital before an audience of 140 prisoners and guests, which included works by Stravinsky,… Continue reading Evan Pensis shares sophisticated piano repertoire with prison audiences
Book by Keyboard Studies professor Stewart Gordon reviewed in Clavier Companion
“Planning Your Piano Success: A Blueprint for Aspiring Musicians” (Oxford University Press, 2014), a book by pianist and USC Thornton Keyboard Studies faculty member Stewart Gordon, was positively reviewed in the May/June 2015 issue of Clavier Companion. Reviewer Carolyn True wrote that the book “is a terrific resource for budding musicians. It will inspire students… Continue reading Book by Keyboard Studies professor Stewart Gordon reviewed in Clavier Companion