
Thornton alumni win at African American Film Critics Association Awards
Two USC Thornton alumni have received awards at the 14th Annual African American Film Critics Association Awards (AAFCA), which honors outstanding achievement in film. Screen Scoring alum Ludwig Göransson (GCRT ‘08) won Best Song for “Life Me Up” from the film, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Composition alum Michael Abels (BM ‘84) has been named a… Continue reading Thornton alumni win at African American Film Critics Association Awards

Alumni garner nominations for 2023 Society of Composers and Lyricists Awards
Three USC Thornton alumni have been nominated for the 4th Society of Composers and Lyricists Awards. Composition alum Michael Abels (BM ‘84) was nominated for Outstanding Score for a Studio Film with Nope. Composition alum Bear McCreary (BM ‘02) was nominated for Outstanding Score for a Television Production with The Lord of the Rings: Rings… Continue reading Alumni garner nominations for 2023 Society of Composers and Lyricists Awards

Amy Andersson
Amy Andersson is an internationally recognized, Grammy-winning conductor and producer. Named by British music critic Norman Lebrecht as “America’s most-watched symphony orchestra conductor,” Andersson has been praised for her dynamic musicality, expressive technique and cross genre repertoire. She has toured to over 22 countries conducting concerts and recording sessions in symphonic, operatic, film, musical theater… Continue reading Amy Andersson

USC Thornton faculty & alumni celebrated at 65th annual Grammy Awards
Celebrating the winners, nominees, and performers of the 65th annual Grammy Awards.

Chanda Dancy composed score for “Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody”
USC Thornton Screen Scoring program alumna Chanda Dancy (GRCT ‘04) composed the score for the film Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody, released on Dec. 23, 2022. The film is a biopic of legendary pop vocalist Whitney Houston. In an interview, Dancy spoke about collaborating with the film’s director, Kasi Lemmons, and creating a… Continue reading Chanda Dancy composed score for “Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody”

Jongnic Bontemps to compose score for “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts”
According to Film Music Reporter, USC Thornton Screen Scoring program alumnus Jongnic Bontemps (GCRT ‘12) will compose the music score for the upcoming film “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.” Bontemps is a film and docuseries composer known for his work on “We Are: The Brooklyn Saints,” “The March on Washington: Keepers of the Dream,” “My… Continue reading Jongnic Bontemps to compose score for “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts”

Ludwig Göransson receives Oscar nomination for “Lift Me Up”
Early Tuesday morning, Ludwig Göransson (GC ’08) received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song with “Lift Me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. This is the composer’s second Oscar nomination since 2019, when he won the award for Best Original Score for Black Panther. The 95th Oscars ceremony will take place on March 12,… Continue reading Ludwig Göransson receives Oscar nomination for “Lift Me Up”

Thornton alumni nominated in Hollywood Music in Media Awards
USC Thornton composition program alumni Michael Abels (BM ‘84) and Ludwig Göransson (GCRT ‘08) were nominated for the music in visual media category for the 13th Annual Hollywood Music in Media Awards, announced Nov. 3. Abels received a nomination in the horror film category for his work on “Nope”. Göransson received a feature film nomination… Continue reading Thornton alumni nominated in Hollywood Music in Media Awards

The Hollywood Reporter names USC Thornton one of the world’s best music schools
The Hollywood Reporter named the USC Thornton School of Music one of the best music schools in the world. The 2022 report was compiled by the notes of insiders in the film and television music community and polled members of Hollywood’s Society of Composers and Lyricists, the Composers Diversity Collective, the Alliance of Women Film… Continue reading The Hollywood Reporter names USC Thornton one of the world’s best music schools

Ludwig Göransson co-writes lead single of “Black Panther” film sequel
“Lift Me Up,” recorded by singer Rihanna, is the lead single of Marvel’s “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” The track—written by USC Thornton screen scoring program alum Ludwig Göransson, artists Tems and Rihanna and the film’s director Ryan Coogler—is a tribute to the life and legacy of actor Chadwick Boseman. It releases in advance of the… Continue reading Ludwig Göransson co-writes lead single of “Black Panther” film sequel