Ben Bram and Scott Hoying win second GRAMMY Awards with Pentatonix
USC Thornton alums Ben Bram (’10, music industry) and Scott Hoying won their second GRAMMY Awards last night for their arrangement of Pentatonix’s “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy,” from the a cappella super-group’s “That’s Christmas to Me” album. For the second straight year, the duo won for Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella, the… Continue reading Ben Bram and Scott Hoying win second GRAMMY Awards with Pentatonix
MUNA’s “Loudspeaker” at #1 on list of 50 best songs of 2015
The band MUNA, which was formed by USC Thornton Popular Music graduate Katie Gavin (BA ’15), current student Josette Maskin (BM ’16), along with Naomi McPherson, took the top spot in ShortList‘s “50 Best Songs of 2015.” The annual rundown, which highlights the publication’s favorite tracks from “big, small, old and new artists alike,” praised… Continue reading MUNA’s “Loudspeaker” at #1 on list of 50 best songs of 2015
Sérgio Mendes and band bring USC Thornton students to their feet
close
USC Thornton ranks high on Hollywood Reporter’s list of top music schools
The Hollywood Reporter recently profiled USC Thornton on its list of the “Top 25 Music Schools of 2015,” ranking the school at number three. The profile noted that Thornton’s proximity to Los Angeles’ film and music industries fosters unparalleled opportunities for graduates of the school’s Contemporary Music Division, particularly in programs such as Music Industry,… Continue reading USC Thornton ranks high on Hollywood Reporter’s list of top music schools
Popular Music senior Katie Stump releases EP
Katie Stump, a senior in the USC Thornton Popular Music program, has released a new album, “Feels Like Home.” The Daily Trojan notes that the EP originated with a chance meeting in an airport, followed by more than a year of writing and recording in collaboration with producer Mikal Blue. Stump’s style has matured to… Continue reading Popular Music senior Katie Stump releases EP
Popular Music vocalist Malia Civetz performs with several orchestras
Malia Civetz, a senior in the USC Thornton Popular Music program, will perform as a vocal soloist with the Pittsburgh Symphony in a special concert of composer Steven Hackman‘s symphonic mash-up, “Beethoven + Coldplay.” Civetz also performed the work with the Indianapolis Symphony in January and was featured in Hackman’s “Bartok + Bjork” piece at… Continue reading Popular Music vocalist Malia Civetz performs with several orchestras
GRAMMY Camp immerses students in the world of music
close
Contemporary Music students join their London counterparts in cultural exchange
USC Thornton Studio/Jazz Guitar professor Richard Smith has traveled to London, England, with a group of Contemporary Music students for a biennial exchange of music and culture with students at the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance. Over a 10 day program, students from USC and the ICMP attend masterclasses and tutorials with pop music luminaries… Continue reading Contemporary Music students join their London counterparts in cultural exchange
Contemporary Music professors quoted about the challenges of new streaming music services
Two USC Thornton Contemporary Music faculty members were quoted by the Los Angeles Times recently about the introduction of new music streaming services by Apple and Jay-Z. Mark Goldstein of the Music Industry program discussed the financial risks inherent in Apple’s new digital music platform. “This is great theater,” Goldstein said. “I don’t know what’s… Continue reading Contemporary Music professors quoted about the challenges of new streaming music services
SoCal VoCals a cappella group wins fourth international championship in New York City
The premiere USC a cappella group, SoCal VoCals, recently won first place at the 2015 International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella, or the I.C.C.A., in New York City. This was the fourth time that the group has taken the title, following wins in 2008, 2010 and 2012. The SoCal VoCals’ 2015 I.C.C.A. triumph was documented… Continue reading SoCal VoCals a cappella group wins fourth international championship in New York City