Musicology professor Lisa Cooper Vest publishes new book
Lisa Cooper Vest, a professor of Musicology at USC Thornton, recently published her book, “Awangarda: Tradition and Modernity in Postwar Polish Music,” with the University of California Press. The book explores how postwar Polish composers, scholars and political leaders created an avant-garde musical tradition. Vest frames this tradition in contrast to its counterparts in Western… Continue reading Musicology professor Lisa Cooper Vest publishes new book
Alumni featured in Los Angeles Times about pandemic loss and hope
Three USC Thornton alumni were recently featured in a Los Angeles Times article on classical musicians’ stories of pandemic loss and hope. Alexander Blake (DMA ‘19), Melissa Tong (BM ‘00), and Jonathan Karoly (BM ‘97) shared their stories of overcoming struggles during the pandemic and embracing new opportunities. “This time has confirmed that I’m a… Continue reading Alumni featured in Los Angeles Times about pandemic loss and hope
Nate Sloan quoted in USA Today
Musicology faculty member Nate Sloan was recently quoted in a USA Today article about love songs for every season of the year. Sloan said that “Love is the number one topic of popular music. Every love song has been written, pretty much, and yet there are new emotions to explore. Music is meant to move… Continue reading Nate Sloan quoted in USA Today
Beatriz Ilari to speak at 16th Annual McMaster Neuromusic Virtual Conference
Faculty member Beatriz Ilari, chair of the Music Teaching & Learning program, will be a keynote speaker at the 16th Annual McMaster Neuromusic Virtual Conference on Nov. 14. Ilari, a renowned author and researcher in the areas of music, child development and cognition, will deliver a talk entitled “Cross-cultural music research with children: Lessons from… Continue reading Beatriz Ilari to speak at 16th Annual McMaster Neuromusic Virtual Conference
William E. Doyle wins Saturday Visiter Award for Poe-inspired opera
USC Thornton alum William E. Doyle (DMA ‘88) was recently awarded the Saturday Visiter Award for “Original Works Inspired by E.A. Poe’s Life and Writing” from the International Edgar Allan Poe Festival in October. Doyle received the award for his 2019 work “Extraordinary Tales in Music”, a 90-minute opera that explores the works that influenced… Continue reading William E. Doyle wins Saturday Visiter Award for Poe-inspired opera
Angel Velez launches Silent Films Live: Halloween Uncanceled
USC Thornton Music Education alum Angel Velez (MA ‘14), a conductor, educator and Associate Board Member for Education Through Music-Los Angeles (ETM-LA), will host Silent Films Live: Halloween Uncanceled, a family-friendly virtual celebration of silent film benefiting ETM-LA. The event will include a virtual concert of six silent film scores reimagined by guest composers and… Continue reading Angel Velez launches Silent Films Live: Halloween Uncanceled
Wayne Yang featured in KUSC’s “Play On, California!”
KUSC highlighted Arts Leadership master’s student Wayne Yang’s Live! From Somewhere performance in a recent installment of its daily broadcast and online feature “Play On, California!” Yang performed Carl Vine’s “Threnody” and dedicated his performance to the victims of COVID-19 and their families. “I believe the one thing we can take away from this pandemic,… Continue reading Wayne Yang featured in KUSC’s “Play On, California!”
Nate Sloan celebrates Beethoven’s 5th Symphony with special Switched on Pop series
Switched on Pop, a podcast hosted by Musicology professor Nate Sloan and songwriter Charlie Hardin, is releasing “The 5th,” a four-part series about Beethoven’s 5th symphony featuring the New York Philharmonic. The series, presented in partnership with Vox Media, will dissect the symphony movement by movement and explore its context, legacy, and meaning. The first… Continue reading Nate Sloan celebrates Beethoven’s 5th Symphony with special Switched on Pop series
Nate Sloan talks pop evolution with The Wall Street Journal
Musicology faculty member Nate Sloan and podcast co-host Charlie Harding recently sat down with The Wall Street Journal to talk about the pop history and analysis they cover in both their popular podcast, Switched on Pop, and now their book of the same name which released on Dec. 13. Sloan, who studies the history and… Continue reading Nate Sloan talks pop evolution with The Wall Street Journal
Nate Sloan to release new book about mechanics of popular music
Popular music scholar and Musicology faculty member Nate Sloan will release a new book, “How Popular Music Works, and Why It Matters,” on Dec. 13, co-authored with songwriter and podcasting partner Charlie Harding. The pair host the popular podcast “Switched on Pop,” which, like their forthcoming book, makes pop music history accessible and deconstructs the… Continue reading Nate Sloan to release new book about mechanics of popular music