SAKURA Cello Quintet to release debut album, Clair de Lune
The SAKURA Cello Quintet—comprised of Stella Cho (’12, MM ’14, DMA ’22), Michael Kaufman (MM ’12, DMA ’15), Yoshika Masuda (GCRT ’12, DMA ’16), Peter Myers (MM ’10, GCRT ’13) and Zachary Mowitz—will release their debut album Clair de Lune on September 19 via Platoon. The album spans five centuries of music, including pieces by… Continue reading SAKURA Cello Quintet to release debut album, Clair de Lune
Quenton Blache featured on Sphinx Virtuosi album, “American Mirror”
USC Thornton Composition, Cello Performance and Screen Scoring alum Quenton Blache (BM ’23, MM ’24) is one of the featured composers on Sphinx Virtuosi’s album, American Mirror, released on August 29 via Deutsche Grammophon. The album opens with Blache’s piece “Habari Gani,” an ode to the ideals of unity and fellowship. American Mirror includes new… Continue reading Quenton Blache featured on Sphinx Virtuosi album, “American Mirror”
Clara Kim presents opening concert in Hawai’i Public Radio classical music series
On Aug. 9, violinist and USC Thornton alumna Clara Kim (DMA ’15) presented the opening concert in Hawai’i Public Radio’s (HPR) classical music series, “Live from the Atherton.” Leading up to her performance, Kim was interviewed by HPR’s DW Gibson on the importance of collaboration in music. “It’s amazing to work on pieces by Bach… Continue reading Clara Kim presents opening concert in Hawai’i Public Radio classical music series
Seth Parker Woods to serve as artistic director of “Rencontres Franco-Américaines” chamber music festival
Seth Parker Woods, cellist and Robert Mann Chair in Strings and Chamber Music at USC Thornton, will serve as the USA artistic director of the “Rencontres Franco Américaines” chamber music festival—an annual gathering of French and American classical music artists taking place August 15-20. The 2025 festival will feature the Ivory Trio, comprised of pianist… Continue reading Seth Parker Woods to serve as artistic director of “Rencontres Franco-Américaines” chamber music festival
SAKURA Cello Quintet debuts Donald Crockett’s “Carving an Alphabet”
On May 18, the SAKURA Cello Quintet gave the debut performance of Carving an Alphabet, a set of 12 madrigals for five cellos, written by USC Thornton Chair of Composition Donald Crockett for New Music USA. The SAKURA Cello Quintet consists of Thornton alumni Stella Cho (’12, MM ’14, DMA ’22), Michael Kaufman (MM ’12,… Continue reading SAKURA Cello Quintet debuts Donald Crockett’s “Carving an Alphabet”
Andrew Shulman to teach masterclasses and perform in concerts around the UK and Ireland
USC Thornton Strings department faculty member Andrew Shulman will be teaching masterclasses and performing in concerts in the United Kingdom and Ireland in May. The masterclasses will take place at the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin on May 12, the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester on May 14, the Royal College… Continue reading Andrew Shulman to teach masterclasses and perform in concerts around the UK and Ireland
ArcoStrum perform in “Musicians on the Rise” concert at Kaufman Music Center
USC Thornton DMA candidate in Classical Guitar Tengyue (Ty) Zhang and Strings program alumnus Strauss Shi (MM ’19), now known as ArcoStrum, performed at the Kaufman Music Center on April 4 as part of the “Musicians on the Rise” concert series. The violin-guitar duo reimagines Chinese traditional music, modern rock and classical masterworks. ArcoStrum was… Continue reading ArcoStrum perform in “Musicians on the Rise” concert at Kaufman Music Center
Caroline Wilkins Wins Principal Harp Position
USC Thornton Harp Performance alumna Caroline Wilkins (‘16, MM ‘19) won the principal harp position with the Boise Philharmonic. Wilkins, who studied under JoAnn Turovsky, has served as principal harpist with the American Youth Symphony, the Debut Chamber Orchestra and the USC Thornton Symphony. She is the 2019 grand prize winner of the American Harp… Continue reading Caroline Wilkins Wins Principal Harp Position
Seth Parker Woods included in The New York Times’ list of “Best Classical Music Albums of 2024”
Seth Parker Woods, Robert Mann Chair in Strings and Chamber Music at USC Thornton, was included in The New York Times‘ list of “Best Classical Music Albums of 2024.” Woods was recognized for his performance as a featured soloist in Wild Up’s Eastman Vol. 4: The Holy Presence, an exploration of composer Julius Eastman’s works… Continue reading Seth Parker Woods included in The New York Times’ list of “Best Classical Music Albums of 2024”
Carl St.Clair concludes historic tenure as music director of the Pacific Symphony
Maestro Carl St.Clair concluded his 35-year tenure as music director of the Pacific Symphony, the longest for an American-born conductor of a U.S. orchestra. He is succeeded by Alexander Shelley, who will serve an initial five-year term beginning in the 2026-27 season. St.Clair will become music director laureate in the 2025-26 season, providing a seamless… Continue reading Carl St.Clair concludes historic tenure as music director of the Pacific Symphony