Organist Thomas Mellan takes first place at San Diego competition
Thomas Mellan, a USC Thornton junior double-majoring in Organ Studies and Composition, recently took first place in the keyboard division of the Musical Merit Foundation’s competition for instrumentalists and vocalists, earning the distinction of Fenstermaker Scholar. Mellan, who also took the top prize in the 2015 competition, performed at the foundation’s 70th Annual Awards Concert… Continue reading Organist Thomas Mellan takes first place at San Diego competition
Organ student Weicheng Zhao takes AGO competition prizes
Weicheng Zhao (MM ’14), a doctoral candidate in the USC Thornton Organ Studies department, recently won both 3rd Place and the Audience Prize at the American Guild of Organists (AGO) National Young Artists Competition in Organ Performance (NYACOP). Zhao studies with Thornton faculty members Ladd Thomas and Cherry Rhodes. The NYACOP competition, which took place… Continue reading Organ student Weicheng Zhao takes AGO competition prizes
Extraordinary young organist begins studies at USC Thornton
Incoming USC Thornton freshman Organ Studies major Ethan Haman was the subject of a recent feature profile by the Los Altos Town Crier. The 17-year-old began serving as his church’s official organist three years ago and has since gone on to study with master organists in Europe. Haman’s Northern California community bid him farewell with… Continue reading Extraordinary young organist begins studies at USC Thornton
Organ Studies faculty Cherry Rhodes and alum Christoph Bull reviewed in the Los Angeles Times
Organ Studies faculty Cherry Rhodes and alum Christoph Bull (MM ’93, organ performance) joined an elite group of organists for a birthday celebration of the Walt Disney Concert Hall’s organ, Hurricane Mama, with a concert on Nov. 23. The program, which featured nine performers, was reviewed by music critic Mark Swed in the Los Angeles… Continue reading Organ Studies faculty Cherry Rhodes and alum Christoph Bull reviewed in the Los Angeles Times
Happy Birthday, Hurricane Mama! USC Thornton faculty and alumni celebrate the LA Phil’s famed organ this weekend
Beginning on Thursday and running through the weekend, the Los Angeles Philharmonic celebrates the anniversary of the Walt Disney Concert Hall’s famous organ, Hurricane Mama, with a series of concerts. As Mark Swed wrote in the Los Angeles Times, “But no other organ looks like French fries, a thrilling trademark of the Frank Gehry hall’s… Continue reading Happy Birthday, Hurricane Mama! USC Thornton faculty and alumni celebrate the LA Phil’s famed organ this weekend
Weicheng Zhao and Fang Gao to perform at Calgary Organ Festival and Symposium
Current USC Thornton doctoral candidate Weicheng Zhao (MM ’14, DMA ’16) is one of two organists to perform on the Young Artists’ Platform during the Calgary Organ Festival and Symposium. His wife Fang Gao (GCRT, ’16), who is currently a student in the Early Music program, will join him in a concert at the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer in… Continue reading Weicheng Zhao and Fang Gao to perform at Calgary Organ Festival and Symposium
Francine Nguyen-Savaria (GCRT, ’13) to perform at Calgary Organ Festival and Symposium
Francine Nguyen-Savaria (GCRT, ’13) is one of two organists selected to perform on the Young Artists’ Platform during the Calgary Organ Festival and Symposium in Canada. She will perform the complete works for organ by Brahms over two recitals: at the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer in Calgary on October 29, and at the Wyatt Recital… Continue reading Francine Nguyen-Savaria (GCRT, ’13) to perform at Calgary Organ Festival and Symposium
Cherry Rhodes to perform at Organ Artists Series of Pittsburgh
USC Thornton faculty member Cherry Rhodes will play the opening recital on the Organ Artists Series of Pittsburgh, presented by the Pittsburgh Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, on October 26 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Rhodes will play selections by Brahms, Bach, Moussorgsky and Antalffy-Zsiross. The series is dedicated to promoting the performance, recognition and appreciation of organ music as an art form.
Cherry Rhodes
Cherry Rhodes is the first American to win an international organ competition (Munich). During her brilliant career, she has toured extensively throughout the major music capitals of North America, Europe and Asia with recitals in cathedrals, churches and concert halls, including Lincoln Center (New York City), Kennedy Center (Washington, D.C.), Orchestra Hall (Chicago), Meyerson Symphony… Continue reading Cherry Rhodes
Ladd Thomas
Ladd Thomas, professor and department chair, organ studies, holds a BA degree and an honorary doctorate of music from Occidental College. He also earned a master’s degree in theology from the Claremont School of Theology. Professor Thomas studied organ with Max Miller, David Craighead and Clarence Mader. He regularly gives workshops and masterclasses for the… Continue reading Ladd Thomas